The Legal 500

QUEENS CHAMBERS, 2 NORTH STREET, NEWPORT GWENT, NP20 1TE, WALES

What we say about the firm's legal practice in Wales

Corporate and commercial

Within Corporate and commercial: Cardiff and South Wales, tier 5

Harding Evans LLP increasingly acts for SMEs on transactions as well as commercial contract issues. Mike Jenkins heads the practice.

Crime, fraud and licensing

Within Crime: Elsewhere in Wales, Harding Evans LLP is a first tier firm,

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.

Dispute resolution

Within Commercial litigation , Harding Evans LLP is a third tier firm,

Harding Evans LLP is ‘pragmatic and clear in its advice and tenacious in the pursuit of solutions’. Led by Zep Bellavia, it defended a £5m-plus construction claim brought by Corus, and settled a high-value contract claim for Bristol-based software company RMS Services against The Redstone Group. Helen Tudball is ‘invaluable in her advice and guidance over difficult 
disputes’.

Within Debt recovery, Harding Evans LLP is a second tier firm,

Zep Bellavia at Harding Evans LLP acts for local and national businesses, insolvency practitioners and debt collection agencies; clients include National Express, Deloitte and Transnational Corporation.

Finance

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Harding Evans LLP is a third tier firm,

Senior associate Helen Tudball leads Harding Evans LLP’s specialised practice, acting for Deloitte and McAllister & Co among others. Recent work includes directors’ disqualification claims and a £1m-plus VAT-related claim.

Human resources

Within Employment: Elsewhere in Wales, Harding Evans LLP is a first tier firm,

Harding Evans LLP’s practice is led by Daniel Wilde and advises across the public and private sectors, with new clients including Dudley & Sons and Cardiff Sixth Form College. It represented Newport Transport and Stagecoach South Wales in tribunal claims, and assisted a high-profile rugby player on contractual issues.

Insurance

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Harding Evans LLP is a second tier firm,

Pauline Kent leads the team at Harding Evans LLP, and Ken Thomas is known for his experience in complex claims. Areas of focus include cerebral palsy cases, while a recent highlight was a £1m-plus delayed diagnosis settlement.

Within Personal injury: claimant, Harding Evans LLP is a second tier firm,

Pauline Kent is now the practice head at Harding Evans LLP, following David Morgan’s appointment as a District Judge. The practice handles RTA claims, while other recent instructions include spinal injury and amputee cases.

Within Professional negligence, Harding Evans LLP is a third tier firm,

Harding Evans LLP handles claims against solicitors, surveyors and other professionals.

Overview

Within Regional review,

Mid-tier firms demonstrate specialist expertise to actively compete with regional heavyweights. Darwin Gray opened a Newport office and continues to develop strengths in commercial and property litigation. Capital Law LLP is increasingly competitive in the media and IP fields. In Swansea and West Wales, Morgan LaRoche Limited, Douglas-Jones Mercer and JCP Solicitors, Harding Evans LLP and Hutchinson Thomas act for key corporate and commercial clients in the locality and beyond.

Private client

Within Agriculture and estates: South Wales, Harding Evans LLP is a second tier firm,

Harding Evans LLP is led by Welsh speaker Wyn Williams. It recently advised on land transfer matters relating to local authority road building schemes.

Within Family: South and Mid Wales, Harding Evans LLP is a first tier firm,

Harding Evans LLP’s ‘very knowledgeable’ team is led by Ceri Price, who acts on multimillion-pound settlements and property issues. The childcare team advises on complex issues such as illegal child removal.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Harding Evans LLP is a third tier firm,

Harding Evans LLP’s Paul Lindsey is ‘a very capable lawyer, with an in-depth knowledge of the Trustee Acts and the legal system in probate’. The team has experience advising business and agricultural clients. Former practice head Bethan Owen left to set up her own practice.

Real estate

Within Commercial property: Elsewhere in Wales, Harding Evans LLP is a second tier firm,

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.

Within Property litigation , Harding Evans LLP is a third tier firm,

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.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Within Sport , Harding Evans LLP is a second tier firm,

Harding Evans LLP advises high-profile professionals such as rugby international James Hook. Recent work includes representing a boxing professional in a licence appeal against the British Boxing Board of Control. Practice head John Allison acts for Newport County AFC. Zep Bellavia advises a number of high-profile football clubs.


Legal Developments in the UK

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