The Legal 500

Red Kite Law

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

Corporate and commercial

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

M & A Solicitors LLP is noted for its ‘unwavering professionalism’, ‘strength in depth’ and ‘diligent lawyers who give you the advice you need when you need it’. Stephen Berry advised Capita on a number of acquisitions and disposals. Peacocks, new client Gamesa Energy and Santia Limited (formerly Connaught Compliance Services) were advised commercial matters. The team lost Betsan Thomas to Lowless & Lowless (now Red Kite Law) in September 2010.

Crime, fraud and licensing

Within Crime: Elsewhere in Wales, Red Kite Law is a first tier firm,

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.

Within Licensing, Red Kite Law is a second tier firm,

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

Dispute resolution

Within Commercial litigation , tier 4

Red Kite Law draws clients from the locality and over the border. Managing partner Luke Smith handles construction disputes, recently advising a firm of architects in relation to a multimillion-pound development.

Human resources

Within Employment: Cardiff,

M & A Solicitors LLP’s James Moss has recently advised on restructuring, redundancy issues and tribunal claims, and is currently representing a senior executive in a multimillion-pound disability discrimination claim. Other clients include West Sussex Council and a number of Welsh sporting professionals. The team lost Betsan Thomas to what is now Red Kite Law.

Within Employment: Elsewhere in Wales, Red Kite Law is a second tier firm,

Red Kite Law’s Donna Purchase is ‘extremely approachable and pragmatic in her approach’. Areas of focus include the energy and tourism sectors.

Overview

Within Regional review,

Law firms continue to attract instructions from outside the region, by offering cost-competitive commercial expertise. There has been some consolidation among smaller players; West Wales based Lowless & Lowless, for instance, merged with Morris Roberts in April 2011 to form Red Kite Law.

Private client

Within Family: South and Mid Wales, Red Kite Law is a second tier firm,

Red Kite Law’s Rhian Davies specialises in privately funded financial matters.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Red Kite Law is a third tier firm,

Red Kite Law provides ‘first-class service, and industry knowledge that is second to none’; Tim Haggar ‘always goes the extra mile and has good all-round knowledge’, and the highly regarded Steve Meredith advises high-net-worth clients.

Public sector

Within Public sector , Red Kite Law is a third tier firm,

Red Kite Law’s Donna Purchase leads on employment issues for Pembrokeshire College and Pembrokeshire Housing Association.

Real estate

Within Commercial property: Elsewhere in Wales, Red Kite Law is a second tier firm,

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.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Within Media and entertainment,

M & A Solicitors LLP has advised Boomerang on contracts, media rights and funding. Betsan Thomas left for what is now Red Kite Law in 2010.


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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    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.
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    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.
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