The Legal 500

Walker Smith Way

THE OLD REGISTRY, 23 CHESTER STREET, WREXHAM, LL13 8BG, WALES
Wrexham, Chester

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

Crime, fraud and licensing

Within Crime: Elsewhere in Wales, Walker Smith Way is a first tier firm,

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.

Insurance

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Walker Smith Way is a second tier firm,

Walker Smith Way’s knowledgeable and proactive team includes practice head David Rudd, who is ‘efficient and a man that you can do business with’ and led on Conan Ingram v Williams. Rachael Vasmer is ‘tenacious and a fighter’, and recently achieved a £1.3m settlement in a case relating to a spinal anaesthetic. Associate Kevin Saul led on a high-profile inquest.

Within Personal injury: claimant, Walker Smith Way is a second tier firm,

Walker Smith Way is ‘prepared to take on difficult cases and fight them hard’. Practice head Neil Turnbull recently settled a £1m-plus serious head injury claim. Mark Denholm is ‘approachable, conscientious and hardworking, and has excellent judgement’. The firm’s key clients are trade unions such as Unite and 
USDAW.

Overview

Within Regional review,

Walker Smith Way and Allington Hughes Solicitors are key players in North Wales, and are also active in the North West. Many clients turn to firms over the border for commercial expertise, notably Chester-based Aaron & Partners LLP. Hillyer McKeown has opened a Wrexham office.

Private client

Within Agriculture and estates: North Wales, Walker Smith Way is a first tier firm,

Richard Williams leads the team at Walker Smith Way, acting on land and estate transactions. Recent matters include renewable planning developments, partnership disputes and landlord/tenant issues.

Within Family: North Wales, Walker Smith Way is a first tier firm,

At Walker Smith Way, collaborative lawyer Rachel Wynn Jones is ‘extremely professional and well prepared, and a strong advocate’, and specialises in agricultural divorces.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Walker Smith Way is a third tier firm,

Walker Smith Way is well regarded for its knowledgeable team and personable client service. Lisa Jones advised on Court of Protection applications.


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
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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    In this issue:
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    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.