News

Civitas Law is attending, hosting and supporting a number of key industry events and CPD training sessions across Wales. Find out where our counsel and professionals are this autumn and how Chambers can assist you and your organisation.

Members of Civitas Law’s Dispute Resolution Division have responded to the Welsh Assembly Government Consultation Document, ‘Putting Things Right: A better way of dealing with concerns about health services’.

Nicklaus Thomas-Symonds had reason to celebrate recently as the launch of his political biography of Clement Attlee. His publication, Attlee: A life in politics, was a complete sell-out at the events in Civitas Law’s Chambers and in Blaenavon.

Civitas Law has been approved as a Workplace Mediation Provider by the Civil Mediation Council (CMC) – the main access channel for users of workplace related mediation services in Great Britain.

Bryan Thomas, Barrister, Arbitrator, Adjudicator and Mediator, successfully appealed against the dismissal of a claim of noise exposure, made against a ship owner. The claim highlighted an issue of negligence in the breach of duty of care by a ship owner to take measurements of noise levels in its ships.

Civitas Law celebrated its second successful year in developing the leading specialist Civil set in Wales with a gala summer party at the Welsh Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay.

Civitas Law is delighted to welcome Christopher Howells (1999), previously of Pendragon Chambers, after he accepted an invitation to join Chambers.

Civitas Law facilitated the successful resolution of a difficult and potentially costly appeal regarding the recoverability of a company's losses that arose out of a road traffic accident in the United States. The appeal was recently resolved through mediation by a Court Appointed Mediator at Civitas Law's accessible and fully-serviced offices in Cardiff Bay.

Civitas Law has appointed Emma Waddingham as its new Business Development Manager. Emma brings to Chambers her experience in marketing, commercial and corporate PR and journalism in the legal and property sectors, working with law firms, FTSEs, local authorities and trade associations in the UK and abroad.

Brian Thomas advises in case of Regina v Upper Bay Ltd.

Civitas' DR Division has received some excellent feedback from delegates at the recent PI Seminar.

On Thursday the 4th March 2010, Civitas Law was delighted to host the quarterly annual meeting of the Advocacy Training Council under the chairmanship of Charles Haddon Cave QC.

Bryan Thomas represented West Wales RTA victim Wynn Davies in the Queen’s Bench Division, Cardiff, on 10th February 2010.

Civitas Law is proud to support the annual Public Law and Judicial Review Conference organised by the Public Law Project which will be held on 30th March 2010 at Cardiff University.

The Appellant in Rohit Kulkarni – and - Manor Credit (Davenham) Ltd [2010] EWCA Civ 69, represented by Nick Thomas-Symonds, led by Christopher Purchas, QC, won a significant victory for purchasers of motor vehicles in good faith.

The Civil Mediation Council were pleased to confirm the reaccreditation of Civitas Law for 2010 as a mediator provider. Civitas Law provides mediators for Her Majesty’s Court Service Mediation Helpline.

Civitas Law are pleased to announce the appointment of David Jones as Chambers Director.

Mair Coombes Davies has been made a professional member of the Dispute Board Federation based in Geneva which deals with major international disputes worldwide.

Lord Justice Ward has granted permission to appeal in the case of McGrath v Tucker in which Robert O’Leary represents the Appellant, Mr. Tucker.

Theo Huckle and Robert O’Leary have conducted a successful day’s training for the disease group at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office.

The Times reports important intellectual property and public protection case.

On 11th January 2010, Civitas Law acted as hosts to Nicholas Green QC, Chairman of the Bar, and the Leader of the Circuit, Winston Roddick QC, in order to discuss the rapidly changing landscape of the legal profession.

Despite the adverse weather conditions Civitas were bright-eyed and ready to go as usual!

Mona Bayoumi provides an update of recent employment cases.

Cathrine Grubb reports on recent notable cases.

The potential conflict between an individual’s religious beliefs and their duty to act in a non-discriminatory way towards gay and lesbian people has led to two decisions of the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the upholding of the earlier of the two decisions by the Court of Appeal.

Robert O'Leary successfully represents train drivers in claims for damages for upper limb disorders.

Civitas receives excellent press in the new edition of Chambers and Partners as 8 members are recommended.

Anthony Vines in important Court of Appeal win for local authority

Civitas Law Chambers was delighted to support this year’s annual 3 Court’s Charity walk in Cardiff.

The landmark decision of the Court of Appeal in Baker v Quantum [2009] EWCA Civ 499 in which Theo Huckle and Robert O’Leary led by John Hendy QC represented the Claimant has been referred to the Supreme Court for a decision by the judicial committee as to whether or not grant the Respondents leave to appeal from the Court of Appeal. A decision is expected towards the end of the year.

Prosecutions for modchips for game consoles appear to be set to proceed following an important copyright decision by the Court of Appeal in favour of local authorities and manufacturers.

Civitas Law Employment Team demonstrated their breadth of knowledge by scooping first and third places in the recent Employment Lawyers Association quiz held on the 21st October 2009 at O’Neil’s pub in Trinity Street Cardiff.

Civitas is pleased to announce that it has joined the Welsh National Opera’s Sponsors Group, an initiative which allows businesses to come together as a corporate syndicate to sponsor a particular production.

Members of the Dispute Resolution division of Civitas this Thursday 15th at the National Assembly are leading an important seminar on Mediation in Public Law. The idea of Mair Coombes-Davies, the seminar, which is already over-subscribed, seeks to address how mediation can be used more in the context of public law.

A significant alternative dispute resolution, in house, Master Class was held by Civitas Law on 22nd September, 2009.

Members of Civitas’ Public Law and Employment Groups were invited to this year’s Solicitors in Local Government Welsh Conference.

The editors of the 2009 edition of The Legal 500 have confirmed Chambers’ expertise in civil and public law by recommending ten members of Civitas Law.

In the July / August edition of the Personal Injury Law Journal, Theo Huckle considers the Nottingham and Derbyshire deafness litigation appeal and its implications for noise-induced hearing loss cases and the law of industrial disease claims.

Nick Thomas-Symonds will end the year in the Court of Appeal, appearing for the Appellant in Kulkarni v Manor Credit on 1 and 2 December.

Employment Appeal Tribunal (HHJ McMullen Q.C. presiding) in Opportunity Housing Trust Ltd v Harrison considered again the test to be applied when an employment tribunal is asked to recuse itself for apparent bias.

Eversheds Cardiff office, invited Civitas Dispute Resolution Division to present a seminar on mediation.

Nicholas David Jones secures judgement on behalf of a Claimant, in the sum of £2,838,017.10, against the owner of a night club.

The commitment of the members of Civitas Law to provide specialist legal services to the whole of Wales was demonstrated recently by a series of seminars given to solicitors by four members of Chambers’ Employment team in Llandudno.

The evening of Friday 12th June saw the official opening of Civitas Law’s new offices in Cardiff Bay.

Civitas are delighted to announce that Alistair Adams has joined as Chambers Director.

5th June 2009: The Court of Appeal in Baker v Quantum Clothing Group (No. 4) ruled on the Respondents' application that the Court should recuse itself due to the apparent bias of Sedley L.J., rejecting the application and setting out the test for recusal.

Mair Coombes Davies examines adjudication, mediation and arbitration issues relating to contract disputes.