News

Bryan Thomas, the specialist personal Injury barrister at Civitas Law, Cardiff, was involved in what is believed to be Wales' first video link personal injury trial last week (liability only). The trial commenced at the Swansea County Court before HH Judge Vosper QC on 8th June 2020 and proceeded to judgment on 11th June 2020.

Chambers is delighted to announce that Owain Rhys James has been appointed by the Lord Chief Justice to sit as a Deputy District Judge. He will sit on the Wales Circuit and will hear cases through the medium of Welsh and English.

Owain's pracice is predominantly in the areas of commercial and construction; chancery and property, public law; and employment. He regularly sits as a Judicial Officer ina sports discplinary context and has experience of employment disciplinary hearings. He will contine to practise whilst fulfilling his part-time judicial responsibilities.

The appeal distils to the following issue: should s7 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 (‘the 2014 Act’) be interpreted so as to require a Landlord of a property in Wales to be licensed in order to serve a valid notice pursuant to section 8 Housing Act 1988 (‘a section 8 Notice’)?

Practice Direction 51Z came into effect on 27.3.20, with the effect that all proceedings brought under CPR 55, together with proceedings seeking to enforce possession by a warrant or a writ of possession, are automatically stayed for a period of 90 days, from 27 March 2020. The Practice Direction ceases to have effect on 30.10.2020. That, coupled with Schedule 29 Coronavirus Act 2020, may mean a quieter few months for Housing Practitioners. 

Civitas Law would like to reassure all clients that we continue to provide a full level of service throughout this difficult time. Chambers is closely monitoring the Government advice regarding COVID-19 and has implemented a number of measures to ensure that we can continue to provide our services to the same high standards whilst working to ensure the protection of health and safety. Key to this is the implementation of remote working for both staff and members of Chambers, as well as adapting to provide conferencing and advisory services via telephone and/or video link.