Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Public sector

Highly regarded for its public sector capabilities, Browne Jacobson LLP opened an office in Cardiff in July 2023, marking the firm’s expansion into the Welsh market. Laura Hughes and Gavin Hoccom are among the key names to note.

Public sector in Wales

Blake Morgan LLP

Public sector concerns inform a significant amount of work handled by the majority of Blake Morgan LLP‘s practice area offerings, from both a contentious and non-contentious perspective. As well as this multidisciplinary approach, the firm also has a core knowledge of pure public law and regulatory matters, enabling it to provide a tailored service addressing issues unique to entities in the space, including at local and central government level. Team head Eve Piffaretti provides ‘expert and sensible advice’ to Welsh public sector and UK regulators across a range of health and social care matters, including on safeguarding issues, mental health and mental capacity law, areas which have an added layer of complexity due to their adherence to secondary legislation which is Welsh specific. Graham Miles ‘ professional regulatory specialism also regularly seems him involved in the health and social care setting, particularly in the context of advising regulatory bodies investigating and presenting fitness to cases involving practitioners in the space. The firm also has vast experience advising public sector bodies on public procurement tenders, as well as in any subsequent judicial review challenges to the process. In this regard, Penri Desscan  and Simon McCann  are very well-known on the contractual side, while Joanne Thompson is recognised as ‘a first-rate procurement litigator with a wealth of experience and excellent judgement’. At a non-partner level, Sarah Whittle is particularly adept at defending health sector clients against challenges to decisions and processes, while Trish D’Souza, who joined from Capital Law Limited in October 2022, has a flourishing reputation advising clients in the education sector.

Practice head(s):

Eve Piffaretti


Other key lawyers:

Penri Desscan; Simon McCann; Siân Jones; Paula Kathrens; Graham Miles; Claire Rawle; Lee Fisher; Joanne Thompson; Joanna Rees; Sarah Whittle; Joanna Corbett-Simmons; Tom Walker; Delme Griffiths; Tomos Lewis; Trish D’Souza; Jermel Anderson; Daniel Taylor; Richard Jones; Emyr Lewis


Testimonials

‘Eve Piffaretti provides expert and sensible advice.’

‘Joanne Thompson is a first-rate procurement litigator with a wealth of experience and excellent judgement.’

‘The practice has extensive knowledge around the Mental Health Act. They are always quick to answer which is a positive when we are unsure if someone’s legal detention is legal or not.’

‘The Mental Health Act Manual is written by one of the members of this practice which means that we are then asking for advice from the person who knows best rather than from someone second hand. Mr Richard Jones is always contactable and supportive when we require urgent information.’

‘The advice we receive is efficient and professional. The lawyers that we work with are friendly and there isn’t anything that is too much trouble for them to explain. We are provided with regular updates and feel able to contact the team whenever required.’

‘All of the lawyers that advise us from Blake Morgan are excellent. The number of matters that are dealt with in very tight timeframes is exceptional. The advice received is always professional but explained in a straight forward manner for clients to understand.’

‘Expert legal advice – swiftly delivered and tailored to our needs.’

‘Professor Richard Jones always responds quickly and with sufficient concise information to enable us to decipher any Mental Health Legislation quandries. Advice is provided speedily with good sound evidence and reasoning when required.’

Key clients

Welsh Ministers / Welsh Government


Health & Care Professions Council


Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)


The NHS in Wales


NHS England


Education Workforce Council


Transport for Wales Limited


Human Tissue Authority


Welsh Local Authorities  (including Bridgend, Flintshire, Carmarthenshire, Isle of Anglesey, Powys, Cardiff City, Pembrokeshire, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, as well advising all 22 LA’s via the Welsh Local Government Association)


Social Care Wales


Natural Resources Wales


Welsh Language Commissioner


Senedd Cymru/ Welsh Parliament


Children’s Commissioner for Wales


Equality and Human Rights Commission (in Wales)


Older People’s Commissioner for Wales


Development Bank for Wales


South Wales Fire and Rescue Service


Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent


Clwyd Alyn Housing Association


Pobl Housing Association


Gower College


Cardiff Metropolitan University


University of Winchester


University of Reading


University of South Wales


Greater Manchester Combined Authority


Wales Co-operative Centre


Wiltshire County Council


Milford Haven Port Authority


Newport City Homes


Cardiff Community Housing


Melin Homes


Wales and West Housing Association


Linc-Cymru Housing Association


Tai Tarian


Work highlights


  • Provided Welsh Government with a broad range of legal support across a range of legal specialisms including advice on infrastructure projects , including IT and Welsh Government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Provided legal support to NHS England and the NHS in Wales across a broad range of areas including infrastructure, projects, procurement, construction, healthcare law, inquiries, judicial review, estate, workforce and public land regulatory law advice.
  • Acting for NHS England as a key core participant in relation to the UK COVID -19 Inquiry.

Geldards LLP

Drawing upon a breadth of experience developed over many years acting for local authorities, central government and regulatory bodies, Geldards LLP can provide an ‘extremely knowledgeable, professional and very responsive’ service, which is considerate of the often unique challenges and expectations of clients in the space. As well as drawing upon a considerable amount of pure public law expertise, the team, which is headed by ‘amazing’ employment lawyer Helen Snow, operates in a multi-disciplinary fashion across many different practice groups. Construction partner Tony Norris has deep knowledge on contract drafting and framework agreements for central government and local authorities, including on key infrastructure projects, as well as in any subsequent arbitrations. On the planning front, ‘very good tactician’ Charles Felgate has a ‘meticulous eye for detail’ and provides ‘outstanding support’ to local councils and central government on contentious and non-contentious matters including as it relates to Compulsory Purchase Orders. For litigation, Jonathan Griffiths is particularly adept at representing public sector clients, including in the defence of public procurement challenges.

Practice head(s):

Helen Snow


Other key lawyers:

Charles Felgate; Tony Norris; Jonathan Griffiths; Susanne Bradley


Testimonials

‘Best in class advice and service in a likeable and personable manner.’ 

The team is extremely knowledgeable, professional and very responsive.’

Really specialist expertise in a regional setting. Equally competent in both Welsh and English public and administrative law jurisdictions, which is unique. Their track record in working for clients right through the sector is unique and impressive.’

Helen Snow is amazing. She is a very safe pair of hands and is also extremely helpful.’

Charles Felgate is a very good tactician, has great attention to detail and is good fun to work with, making him an invaluable member of the multi-disciplinary teams that major planning projects and cases involve.’

Charles Felgate has a meticulous eye for detail and provides outstanding support.’

‘Wide range of in house expertise that is able to be pulled in as and when needed. Expert knowledge in the public sector and a complete understanding of Welsh public sector.’

‘Excellent service, prompt replies and responses to queries, expertise and experience is brilliant.’

Key clients

The Welsh Ministers


Senedd Commission


Natural Resources Wales


The Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales


Estyn (the education and training inspectorate for Wales)


Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales


Development Bank of Wales


Vale of Glamorgan Council


Caerphilly County Borough Council


Carmarthenshire County Council


Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority


Snowdonia National Park Authority


Bridgend County Borough Council


Cardiff Council


Torfaen County Borough Council


Gwynedd Council


Flintshire County Council


Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council


Brecon Beacons National Park Authority


Neath Port Talbot Council


Ceredigion County Council


Pembrokeshire County Council


City and County of Swansea Council


Monmouthshire County Council


Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council


Conwy County Borough Council


Wrexham County Borough Council


Denbighshire County Council


Council and City of Swansea


The Future Generations Commissioner for Wales


Work highlights


  • Representing Snowdonia National Park Authority Hillside Parks Ltd v Snowdonia National Park Authority [2020] EWCA Civ 1440 planning dispute, in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
  • Representing the Welsh Ministers at the independent statutory inquiry into the use of infected blood, examining why men, women and children in the UK were given infected blood and/or infected blood products.
  • Advising the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales on the preparation and submission of the Agricultural Wages Order annually to Welsh Ministers including the agricultural minimum wage and terms and conditions of employment for agricultural workers in Wales.

Hugh James

Drawing upon a ‘strong collaborative working’ arrangement, both from within the firm (across a range of practice areas), as well as with the instructing clients, Hugh James provides ‘highly knowledgeable expert advice’ to central and local government, education and healthcare providers. Regulatory advice informs much of the firm’s workflow, with ‘consummate professional’ Martin Jones particularly noted for his social care expertise, where he combines an ‘authoritative approach with humility and pragmatism’ for local authorities in relation to safeguarding matters. Jones is also adept at representing non-police prosecutors throughout Wales and England, as is ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’ senior associate Justin Davies, who ‘has built a unique practice in regulatory work and in particular fire safety prosecutions’. The firm is also engaged in a significant amount of property-related public sector mandates, including Caroline O’Flaherty‘s work for Welsh and English registered social landlords, and construction partner Ioan Prydderch‘s regular engagements on contentious and non-contentious matters for core firmwide clients including Natural Resources Wales.


Practice head(s):

Ioan Prydderch


Other key lawyers:

Martin Jones; Lisa Morgan; Caroline O’Flaherty; Emily Powell; Justin Davies


Testimonials

Strong collaborative working, providing highly knowledgeable expert advice, with an in depth awareness and understanding of case law and developments within regulation, helping ensure the integrity of our regulatory process.’

The team is pragmatic in how it tailors advice to our rules, communications and policies.’

Martin Jones is always the consummate professional who balances an authoritative approach with humility and pragmatism.’

‘The exceptionally knowledgeable Justin Davies has built a unique practice in regulatory work and in particularly fire safety prosecutions.’

Key clients

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council


Welsh Government


The City of Cardiff County Council


Bridgend County Borough Council


Social Care Wales


Natural Resources Wales


Bangor University


Flintshire County Council


Argyle and Bute Council


Carmarthenshire County Council


Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council


Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council


Transport for Wales Rail Limited


Wrexham County Borough Council


Gwynedd Council NNatural England


Denbighshire County Council


The Council of the City and County of Swansea


North Somerset Council


Pembrokeshire County Council


Cheltenham Borough Council


Monmouthshire County Council


Coleg Gwent


Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency


Vale Of Glamorgan Council


Aneurin Bevan University Health Board


Cardiff and Vale University Health Board


Welsh Community Health Council


Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent


Conwy County Borough Council


Isle Of Anglesey County Council


South Wales Fire & Rescue Service


Powys County Council


Ceredigion County Council


Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Local Health Board


Caerphilly County Borough Council


Cardiff University


National Museum & Gallery Wales


Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust


Cadw


Witham Town Council


Powys Teaching Health Board


Parish Church Council of Swansea St Peter Crockett


West Northamptonshire Council


National Library of Wales


South Wales Police


Citizens Advice Bureau


Torfaen County Borough Council


Work highlights


  • Instructed by several Local Authorities in Wales in respect of housing development and regeneration of brownfield sites and sites, worth a total of £50m, stalled for development due to contamination issues.
  • Representing a University Health Board in its breach of contract claim against an international software development company.
  • Providing a group of six North Wales local authorities with advice to the Councils in the public procurement of schools admissions and transport software of value of about £7.5m.

Watkins & Gunn Limited

Watkins & Gunn Limited has a ‘market-leading claimant-focused public law practice’, which continues to achieve success for clients on public law challenges, including for individuals and communities fighting service changes (such as library, hospital and school closures). ‘Very impressive’ team head Michael Imperato is key to the firm’s success in the area and has over the years secured victories for vulnerable clients in judicial review proceedings, as well as public law challenges concerning issues of Welsh devolved law. Senior associate Lucy O’Brien is also a key member of the team, including as it relates to the firm’s ongoing representation of Haemophilia Wales and Haemophilia Northern Ireland in the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Practice head(s):

Michael Imperato; Lucy O’Brien


Testimonials

Watkins & Gunn has a well established and market-leading claimant focused public law practice.’

‘Michael Imperato is very impressive and has great strategic judgement.’

‘Very proactive in many areas and excellent client relations.’

Key clients

Powys Rural Schools


Campaign to Save Rainhill Library


Haemophilia Wales


Inquests (various)


Travelling Ahead; Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Advice & Advocacy Service and the Gypsy Traveller Coalition


Mr N Mitchinson


Swansea Bay University Health Board


Children’s Commissioner for Wales


“Save Hillingdon Nurseries Campaign”


Work highlights


  • Acting for Haemophilia Wales on the ongoing public inquiry into the 1980s contaminated blood scandal.
  • Representing three families in proceedings regarding the Gleision Colliery Disaster, one of the biggest mining disasters in recent times in Wales.
  • Representing “Save Hillingdon Nurseries” preventing the closure of three early years centres in the London Borough of Hillingdon, saving them from closure.

Capital Law Limited

Although its core public law/regulatory expertise was severely impacted by the departures towards the end of 2022 of both Nicola Mead-Batten  and Trish D’Souza to TLT and Blake Morgan LLP, respectively, Capital Law Limited continues to handle a significant volume of work for public sector clients across a number of its practice area groups. Property litigator Stephen Meade is regularly instructed by British Medical Association, including in a closely watched dispute challenging the basis of demanded service charges from the NHSPS. Associate Tod Davies  is developing a strong reputation for public law and regulatory matters as a function of his commercial litigation offering, including work for the Gambling Commission.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Meade


Other key lawyers:

Tod Davies


Key clients

Cardiff Metropolitan University


Welsh Government


Gambling Commission


UK Anti-Doping


The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland


The Royal Mint


Federation of Bridgend Primary Schools and Bridgend Association of Secondary Headteachers


Future Generations Commissioner


Welsh Language Commissioner


University of South Wales


Bridgend County Borough Council


Caerphilly County Borough Council


Solicitors Regulation Authority


British Medical Association


Natural Resources Wales


Estyn


Qualifications Wales


Transport For Wales


Work highlights


  • Representing the BMA and five test claimant GP practices in their High Court claim against NHSPS in challenging the basis of these demanded service charges.
  • Advising the Gambling Commission in connection with the launch and conduct of the Fourth National Lottery Licence Competition and subsequently the litigation brought against it by Camelot and others in respect to the result of the competition.
  • Acting for the British Medical Association in its significantly important public law challenge to the government’s changes to public service pension schemes, including the NHS Pension Scheme, to remedy for the unlawful discrimination identified in McCloud and Sargeant.

Harding Evans LLP

The ‘cohesive and effective’ team at Newport-based firm Harding Evans LLP continues to develop a strong reputation for claimants bringing public law actions, particularly those linked to civil liberties and human rights. Much of this work is for vulnerable clients, who the firm is well-positioned to advise, not only due to its legal knowledge but also its ability to fund matters utilising legal aid if necessary. The ‘effective and pragmatic’ Craig Court is an ‘outstanding leader of the team’ and despite his relatively junior partner status has the gravitas and expertise to handle some high-profile mandates, including his leadership role for an interested party in the ongoing Covid-19 UK Statutory Public Inquiry.


Practice head(s):

Craig Court


Other key lawyers:

Victoria Smithyman


Testimonials

A cohesive and effective team which can be relied on to provide an excellent service to their clients.’

Very aware across a range of public sector fields.’

Craig Court is a very skilled communicator who is effective and pragmatic.’

Key clients

Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru Group


Work highlights


  • Instructed by the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru Group to assist, advise and represent them in respect of the forthcoming Covid-19 Statutory Public Inquiry.
  • Involved in a judicial review against a Welsh police force for unlawfully administering a caution for common assault and a subsequent decision to refuse to delete the record of the caution.
  • Representing JT and KT (by their litigation friend the Official Solicitor) – children in a claim against the Local Authority due to their negligence and failure to remove them from their parents’ care at an earlier stage.