The Legal 500

United Kingdom > Wales > Crime, fraud and licensing

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Crime: Cardiff

Crowell & Moring is based in London but retains some presence in Cardiff. The highly reputed Gerallt Owen has ‘an ability to command the complete confidence of the client and to fight their corner’, and leads a corporate fraud and regulatory practice which regularly handles high-value cases with an international element. Locally, it recently advised on an illegal money-lending prosecution. Peter Kiernan left the law in September 2010.

De Maid Solicitors’ specialist defence team has a reputation for high-profile miscarriage of justice cases. The well-regarded Simon Evenden focuses on fraud matters, and Matthew De Maid handles serious crime cases. Recent matters include the defence of Revenue and Customs prosecutions, and also of a manslaughter allegation.

Hutton’s represents private and corporate clients, with a focus on miscarriages of justice. Stuart Hutton handles fraud, regulatory and complex, serious crime matters. The firm recently defended a high-profile allegation of assault and public order breaches.

Martyn Prowel’s name partner is an established figure with experience in high-value fraud cases. Defence advocate Geraint Richards has recently handled a number of animal cruelty cases.

Bowden Jones Solicitors’ criminal defence practice also handles high-volume Magistrates Court work. Stephen Jones focuses on fraud and corporate defence, and Huw Bowden on miscarriage of justice cases.

Clarke & Hartland’s defence practice is led by Stephen Clarke, who handles serious and complex crime, while Tim Hartland focuses on fraud and regulatory matters. It recently launched a service focusing on e-crime matters.

Hugh James’ practice head Martin Jones represents local businesses, prosecutors and regulators. Recent cases include carousel fraud, and health and safety prosecutions.

Richard Nelson LLP’s serious fraud and white collar practice is led by Jonathan Wright, who handles large-scale, complex corporate crime. It continues to act in a high-profile case over conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Russell Jones & Walker specialises in Police Federation defence work; its ‘acumen in policing 
matters is second to none’. ‘The epitome of a trustworthy, honest and ethical lawyer’, Jon Nutman recently handled various cases involving alleged assault and the use of force.

Morgans Solicitors Limited specialist criminal and prison law practice emerged following the July 2010 legal aid contracts. Sarah Grace heads the practice, which recently achieved successful appeals against an IPP sentence and handled a serious crime 
allegation.

Radcliffeslebrasseur’s team is led by Huw Llewellyn-Morgan, following the departure of Jane Lang to Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP. Llewellyn-Morgan defends healthcare professionals against serious crime allegations.

The Grech Gooden Partnership’s team has three higher rights of audience advocates. It handles prison law and general crime, including fraud.

Crime: Elsewhere in Wales

Allington Hughes Solicitors’ well-regarded practice primarily serves local clients and is led by solicitor advocate Melissa Griffiths. Recent work includes a successful defence in a forensic evidence based case.

Gamlins’ team includes higher court advocate Gwyn Jones and Richard Williams. Dafydd Roberts handles both the defence and prosecution of serious crime cases.

Goldstones handles general criminal matters and is led by solicitor David Hutchison.

Graham Evans & Partners has experience in serious crime, and has represented a number of high-profile local figures. Criminal defence specialist Simon Howell leads the practice.

Harding Evans LLP’s serious crime and regulatory practice is led by Zep Bellavia. It handled one of Wales’ biggest drug conspiracy investigations, and successfully defended a high-profile murder allegation.

Hutchinson Thomas handles high-profile murder and drug conspiracy cases. Led by Simon Thomas, 
the well-regarded team features three partners, following the promotion of higher rights advocate Stephen Harrett.

J Charles Hughes & Co handles Magistrates Court cases. The team includes Welsh speaker Gareth Evans.

JNP Legal is regarded as a significant local practice, with experience in public authority and government agency prosecutions.

Neil Foley & Co increasingly handles private client work, undertaking high-value white-collar, smaller fraud and serious crime cases.

Led by James Subbiani, Red Kite Law recently defended a money laundering case brought by the 
UK Border Agency, and also a high-profile blackmail case.

Walker Smith Way’s Richard Thomas focuses on regulatory work, but was also recently successful in defending a murder allegation and a high-profile harassment case. Recent work for associate Ceri Evans includes a matter which could impact on the legislation on firearms possession.

Watkins & Gunn handles serious crime. Higher rights advocate Sarah Williams has experience in Mental Health Act prosecutions, and has represented the Environment Agency in South Wales.

Wilson Devonald undertakes general criminal defence work.

Licensing

Hugh James’ Martin Jones acted for organisers of the Beach Break Live music festival on a contested licensing application. Other clients include the WRU and University of Wales Institute.

John Morse Solicitors represents UK companies, plcs and individuals on liquor, betting and gaming licensing and appeals.

Morgan Cole’s regulatory head Claire Rawle acts for Les Croupiers Casino, independent operators, and Capper and Co (the owner of various Spar stores in South Wales).

Morgan LaRoche Limited focuses on applications and appeals for clients in the hotels, public house and sports sectors.

Allington Hughes Solicitors has advised on various purchases of licensed premises. Ian Edwards recently assisted an existing client to open its first bookmakers.

Gamlins’ licensing practice is led by Gwyn Jones in the firm’s Abergele office.

Hutchinson Thomas’ senior partner Robert Williams acts for licensed establishments on non-contentious issues and contested applications before local authorities.

Red Kite Law’s James Subbiani successfully defended licensing revocations, and advises on Hackney Carriage and Security Industry licence appeals.

William Parry & Co mainly advises on liquor licensing in South Wales, and handles contentious betting issues across the UK. Bill Parry also acts for independents and chains in the North West.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • COUNCIL TAX

    In Harrow LBC v Ayiku [2012] EWHC 1200 (Admin) Sales J held that the word “or” in the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, art 3 Class N, had a disjunctive meaning, therefore it was sufficient for the non-British spouse of a foreign student to satisfy one or other of the two conditions, namely being prevented from taking paid employment or being prevented from claiming benefits, in order to qualify as a “relevant person” who was exempted from liability to pay council tax.
    - 11KBW

  • QUEEN’S SPEECH

    Bills already introduced pursuant to the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012 include Local Government Finance Bill and Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, both accompanied by Explanatory Notes, which in each case address ECHR compatibility.
    - 11KBW

  • Standards

    In R (Calver) v Adjudication Panel for Wales [2012] EWHC 1172 (Admin) Mr Calver was a member of Manorbier Community Council who successfully challenged the decision of the Panel to dismiss his appeal against a decision by Prembrokeshire County Council Standards Committee censuring him for a number of comments or blogs posted by him on a website he owned and controlled.
    - 11KBW

  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
    - 11KBW

  • Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

    In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:
    - 11KBW

  • Public Sector Equality Duty

    Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.
    - 11KBW

  • Judicial Review

    The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.
    - 11KBW

  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

    After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
    - 11KBW

  • Immigration update May 2012

    In this issue:
    - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

  • Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

    A premium service for sponsors will be launched by the UKBA on 6 April 2012. The service is designed specifically for companies that sponsor international employees under tier 2 and 5 of the points based system and aims to provide them with enhanced support.
    - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2012 www.legal500.com