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Commercial property: Cardiff

Eversheds LLP’s David Watkins ‘provides concise quality advice and very effectively manages the team’, which includes seven partners and is noted for its commercial approach and business understanding. Most of its work is located outside Wales, for clients such as GSK and Castleoak Group. James Trafford focuses on clean energy, and recently advised RWE npower on securing land interests for an offshore windfarm in North Wales. The Cardiff team also led on solar power projects for various interests including British Gas.

Berry Smith mainly acts for lenders and developers, recently advising Principality on developments in Wales and England. Other highlights included Bridgend Council’s land disposal for the high-profile Porthcawl regeneration scheme. Practice head Roger Berry is a highly regarded figure and leads a specialist team including Chris Jones, whose focus includes residential and commercial developments, and Martin Pursall, who leads on secured lending work.

Geldards LLP’s strong public sector client base includes the Assembly Government and Cardiff University. Ioan Owen led on Admiral’s high-profile Cardiff HQ development, with practice head and long-term project specialist Rowland Davies (a ‘practical thinker able to bring in specialist advice’) also advising. Real estate finance partner Mike Jeffs (noted for his ‘reliable advice’) acted on sales outside Wales for Hodge Investments and Atlantic Property; and Rob James acted for ABP on a renewables project.

Led by David Roberts, Hugh James acts for public sector bodies, private developers and housing associations, with areas of focus including student housing and renewables. Peter Hurn advised the WRU on Olympic-use agreements for the Millennium Stadium, and also acted on wind farm and residential developments. Penny Cranston advises Watkins Jones Group on student accommodation schemes, and Christopher Agius handles real estate finance.

‘Technically very competent and commercially aware of the transactions it takes on’, M & A Solicitors LLP is led by the well-regarded Jonathan Geen, and acts for a mix of developer and investor clients, among them PMG, Gamesa Energy and Atlantic Property. Geen and Stephen Morris acted on a land acquisition at a site next to Cardiff Bay’s Sports Village earmarked for regeneration.

Morgan Cole acts for public and private sector clients and institutional groups, including local health boards and Welsh Power Group subsidiaries. The well-regarded Philip Jardine led on completing a development agreement for Igloo Regeneration Partnership regarding a £30m BBC/Assembly Government media village project. Geoffrey Reed acted for Rush Projects on a multimillion-pound mixed-use redevelopment in Cardiff city centre.

Capital Law LLP’s practice head Helen Thomas’ focus includes large-scale disposals and development finance. Recent work includes acting for Vale of Glamorgan Council on the Penarth Heights regeneration scheme; Apollo Cinemas on acquisitions; and ABP on a £53m land disposal. It also advised Santander on acquisition and development financings.

At Darwin Gray, practice head Alison Ivin focuses on development and regeneration projects; and Donald Gray specialises in mining/minerals and common land issues, providing ‘support and sound, honest advice at all times’. Clients include Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes.

MLM Cartwright’s commercial property team is led by Nigel Morgan, who acts for public sector bodies and private companies. David King primarily advises telecoms operators and NHS bodies.

Thomas Simon Solicitors handles a range of property matters across the UK. Simon Morgan and Rupert Thomas lead the team.

At Dolmans Solicitors, associate Ryan David acts for plcs, local authorities and lenders, recently acting on industrial, residential and commercial transactions. Clients include Kingfisher Homes and Venture Wales.

Commercial property: Elsewhere in Wales

Douglas-Jones Mercer’s Michael Snowdon is ‘proactive and entirely reliable, and provides excellent advice’. The firm advised Action for Children on site disposals, and Bristol-based Merchant Investors Assurance is another key client. Michael Price is well regarded for his client focus and efficiency.

Mark Gilroy leads JCP Solicitors’ ‘proactive and commercial’ team. It acted on a £7m-plus agricultural property refinancing, and a land acquisition for a £5m commercial development.

Morgan Cole’s Nigel Griffiths has ‘a proactive approach’ and focuses on retail property, with clients including Canary Wharf Group and Crabtree & Evelyn. Philip Jardine has recently acted for NHS trusts and Welsh universities on development matters.

Morgan LaRoche Limited draws instructions from across the UK and is led by Kevin Thomas (appreciated for his ‘first-class knowledge and communication skills’). Retail and healthcare are key sector focuses. The firm advised Focus (DIY) on its retail portfolio, and Llanelli Waterside Joint Venture on regeneration matters.

Gabb and Co undertakes local residential, agricultural and industrial development work. Myles Davies heads the practice.

Harding Evans LLP’s Mike Jenkins is rated for his commercial ability. The team is advising on some sizeable local redevelopments and property leasing matters.

Hutchinson Thomas’ Huw Jones advises charitable organisations and commercial interests. Roger Morris advised on the acquisition of a large retail leisure site in Porthcawl.

Red Kite Law advises local developers, councils and public bodies. Practice head David Sangster advised on industrial and residential developments. Natural UK is a new client.

Construction

‘Professional and reactive to client requirements’, Eversheds LLP acts on major projects in Wales and also multimillion-pound disputes. Newly promoted partner Rob McNabb now leads the team and is highly rated for his specialist knowledge and committed client service. His recent projects include wind farm developments for AES Corporation, and University of Wales’ new city centre campus. Mary Herbert has ‘excellent knowledge’ and recently advised the Highways Agency on procurement matters.

‘Very proactive and realistic in its approach’, Hugh James advises private, public and third sector clients; it has particular strength in solar energy projects, 
and also advises housing associations on multimillion-pound developments. It advised Dudley & Sons on constructing a retail superstore over a collapsed tunnel site, and a Welsh eco-centre on a contractor dispute relating to the Wales Institute for Sustainable Education. Ioan Prydderch leads the team, while Shaun Jamieson, who joined from M & A Solicitors LLP, provides PFI/PPP expertise.

Providing ‘personalised service and experienced, business-focused input’, Morgan Cole’s practice spans the public, energy and utility sectors. Practice head Paul Millar focuses on procurement, recently advising Infinergy, Wyre Power and Nevis Power on renewables matters. On the contentious side, Joanna Rees successfully defended Castleoak Care Partnerships.

Geldards LLP’s Tony Norris focuses on infrastructure projects. The firm has advised the Arts Council for Wales, Carmarthenshire Council and Atlantic Property on procurement.

Stephen Mundy leads the contentious and non-contentious practice at Morgan LaRoche Limited, which is instructed by lenders such as Julian Hodge Bank. It also recently handled a multimillion-pound project.

Darwin Gray’s strength lies in contentious matters, with Stephen Thompson providing ‘great in-depth knowledge of the industry’ to construction professionals. Donald Gray mainly handles non-contentious work.

M & A Solicitors LLP lost Jeremy Williams, who went in-house at a construction company. Robert Williams and John Adams advised Bluestone Resorts and Sherman Theatre in Cardiff on procurement, and Adams also advised West Sussex Council on a high-value PPP contract and various local projects.

Planning and environment

Eversheds LLP’s Marcus Trinick QC has ‘market-leading knowledge and experience’ on renewables, leading 
on wind farm inquiries for clients including RWE 
npower. Other planning projects for the firm include Linc-Cymru’s high-profile restoration of Lysaghts 
Institute and Monmouthshire Council’s complex Abergavenny regeneration scheme. Associate Jo Waddington advised Guide Dogs UK on contaminated land issues.

At Geldards LLP, public law specialist Huw Williams advises local authorities, utilities and developers, recently acting for Wrexham Council on a challenge to landfill planning permission for a site partially designated as a conservation area. Jonathan Griffiths also handles contentious matters. Senior associate Charles Felgate acted for Western Powers on a judicial review regarding Llanishen Reservoir.

Clarkslegal LLP focuses on environmental public sector projects. Julie James and ‘conscientious, effective’ associate Rhiannon Holtham acted for the South West Wales Waste Consortium on contractual matters, and local councils on a renewables PPP.

Darwin Gray’s Alison Ivin combines public sector experience with a focus on regeneration, and recently advised the Prince’s Foundation For The Built Environment on its project on former BP-owned sites in South Wales. Donald Gray specialises in mining/minerals and environmental issues.

Hugh James’ Wiljo Salen advises on CPOs, 
s106 agreements and inquiries. Recent work includes acting for Pennant Walters on wind farm projects; 
Barratts on a town and village green High Court case; and Cardiff Council on the Llanishen Reservoir judicial review.

Morgan LaRoche Limited’s recent work has focused on contentious issues, such as representing a not-for-profit group in objecting to Assembly Government planning appeals relating to biomass power stations. Kevin Thomas heads the practice.

At Hutchinson Thomas, Helen Van Willegen is a Chartered Town Planner, with expertise in minerals-related developments, and is ‘progressive, thorough, and approachable’. Roger Morris acts for local developers.

JCP Solicitors focuses on agriculture, advising on common land/village greens issues, with Rory Hutchings experienced in defending environmental regulatory prosecutions.

Property litigation

Berry Smith has a specialist practice led by the ‘very reliable’ Iwan Doull, who handles civil and commercial disputes. Recent work has shifted to construction, planning and dilapidation issues. New clients include Storage Giant, which it represented in a High Court claim, and Principality, which it advised on potential injunctive proceedings brought by William Hill.

Darwin Gray’s ‘personable, highly professional, practical and tenacious’ practice head Rhodri Lewis was instructed by Barratts in litigation against Welsh Water. The practice handles commercial and residential property disputes, and gained new clients including the Barry Waterfront Consortium. Donald Gray is also recommended.

At Eversheds LLP, ‘very able, thorough and knowledgeable litigator’ Kathryn Cook acts for public sector and blue-chip clients such as the Forestry Commission, GSK, the Highways Agency and Segro. The firm advises on agricultural land use for renewables.

Geldards LLP’s Ed Meggitt advises on the full range of property disputes. The firm represented Chevron on a £2m dilapidation claim, and successfully settled breach of covenant claims for Tesco. Other clients include Welsh Water, the Assembly Government and ABP.

Hugh James’ Neil Morgan has strong property litigation experience, and recently advised on the high-profile Merton Green town and village green dispute brought by local residents, with the High Court ruling in favour of Barratts. Senior associate Rebecca Rees focuses on the public sector, and advised Newport City Homes on debt relief orders.

JCP Solicitors’ Rory Hutchings’ experience includes agriculture-related issues. Sarah Davies made partner in 2010 and specialises in commercial and civil property disputes. Recent work includes commercial and residential landlord/tenant cases.

Morgan Cole’s advice is ‘unfailingly appropriate and accurate’. Practice head Siân Jones has been focusing on public law rights in residential matters, and associate Russell Price acted on various insolvent portfolios. On the social housing side, the firm advised Cardiff YMCA and Cardiff Community Housing.

Providing ‘exemplary’ service, Morgan LaRoche Limited’s practice is led by property litigation specialist Jason Williams. Recent instructions include a £3m damages claim, and high-value claims at the High Court regarding farm-sharing agreements.

Gamlins has particular experience in civil property disputes.

Harding Evans LLP’s clients include sports clubs and charity/estate trustees. It defended a £1m-plus High Court claim, and is advising local interests on compulsory purchase legislation regarding the Newport regeneration scheme. Zep Bellavia leads the practice.

Hutchinson Thomas’ Peter Morgan advised on a variety of civil claims. The firm is also currently representing the proprietors of the Neath Canal Navigation in ownership disputes.

Social housing

The team of ‘acknowledged specialists’ at Hugh James is led by Neil Morgan, who is ‘solid, knowledgeable 
and thoughtful, much more than just a safe pair 
of hands’. Social housing specialist Yvonne Davies 
advised Hafod Care Association on a care home agreement with Cardiff Council. Associate Jamie Saunders leads the anti-social behaviour team, and is ‘very keen to deliver practical solutions’.

Morgan Cole has ‘a comprehensive service and high-calibre team’, handling regeneration agreements alongside contentious construction and contaminated land issues. New clients include Merthyr Tydfil Housing. Eve Piffaretti is a regulatory law specialist, while Philip Stewart ‘possesses broad and detailed knowledge’.

Eversheds LLP is recommended for property loan security work. Kevin Booth recently advised Places for People on property disposals, and L&Q on due diligence matters.

Geldards LLP ‘consistently provides pragmatic, clear and concise legal advice’. Senior associate Caroline O’Flaherty advised Newydd Housing on several schemes worth over £25m. Other clients include Seren Group and Somer Housing.

Morgan LaRoche Limited’s team includes practice head Jonathan Hughes and senior associate Ann Thomas, who focus on areas including secured lending and development. The firm is lead adviser for Treasury & Finance for work regarding a new RSL in East Wales.

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