The Legal 500

Within Crime: Elsewhere in Wales, Hutchinson Thomas is a first tier firm,

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.

Within Licensing, Hutchinson Thomas is a second tier firm,

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

Within Employment: Elsewhere in Wales, Hutchinson Thomas is a second tier firm,

Hutchinson Thomas’ practice head Simon Thomas recently represented a Welsh business owner on an alleged misconduct claim. Clients include Wales’ largest car dealership Sinclair Group, and employees of Coastal Housing Group.

Within Personal injury: claimant, Hutchinson Thomas is a third tier firm,

Paul Bennett heads the practice at Hutchinson Thomas, which is currently pursuing a seven-figure cerebral palsy damages claim.

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.

Within Agriculture and estates: South Wales, Hutchinson Thomas is a second tier firm,

Hutchinson Thomas advises landowners and farming clients. Huw Jones advises on commercial issues, including renewables. Consultant Ieuan Morris’ expertise includes common land and village green matters.

Within Charities, Hutchinson Thomas is a second tier firm,

Hutchinson Thomas advises ecclesiastical charities on property-related issues as well as local charitable bodies such as Mencap and Hafal.

Within Family: South and Mid Wales, Hutchinson Thomas is a first tier firm,

Hutchinson Thomas is ‘good, proactive and responsive, with a strong support team’. Robert 
Williams is ‘a lawyer you want on your side: very experienced, positive, very focused and honourable’, and acts for high-net-worth individuals. Newly 
promoted partner Debbie Richards leads the childcare team, and ‘in court demonstrates her superior knowledge and skill – more than matching barristers’. The firm hired children law specialists Fay Griffiths from The Gwyn George Partnership and Rachel Pudner from Avery Naylor.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Hutchinson Thomas is a first tier firm,

Hutchinson Thomas has ‘very sound business acumen, gives thorough advice and employs a sensitivity which is very much appreciated’. Practice head Jennifer Melly has ‘a fine technical knowledge of and a sound instinctive grasp of issues’, and advises a number of London-based high-net-worth clients. The highly regarded Rhian Williams became a STEP member in 2010, and ‘has a very gentle and human nature that makes it easy to relate to her’. ‘Extremely knowledgeable’ ACTAPS member Simon Thomas recently acted in a ‘leave to swear death’ case.

Within Commercial property: Elsewhere in Wales, Hutchinson Thomas is a second tier firm,

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

Within Planning and environment, Hutchinson Thomas is a third tier firm,

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.

Within Property litigation , Hutchinson Thomas is a third tier firm,

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.

Within Sport , Hutchinson Thomas is a second tier firm,

Hutchinson Thomas’ ‘knowledge and skills are complementary’, and the team is also appreciated for its ‘passion for the subject’. Alongside commercial matters, Roger Morris, Robert Williams and Simon Thomas act in disciplinary hearings for the WRU and Six Nations. Recent work includes misconduct hearing Magners League v Ospreys.