Richard Locke > Hugh James > Cardiff, Wales > Lawyer Profile

Led by the ‘first-rate’ Richard Locke, Hugh James provides ‘really strong commercial advice’ on behalf of regional and national public and private sector clients across the panoply of high-stakes commercial disputes. Locke’s own practice, which frequently transcends disputes specific to the region and regularly includes cross-border facets, is emblematic of the scope of the team’s overarching disputes offering, ranging as it does from shareholder litigation and IT disputes, through to professional negligence and mining disputes. The ‘exceptionally clever‘ Tracey Singlehurst-Ward ‘combines very strong legal ability and intelligence with an excellent strategic approach‘, particularly in the context of IP, media and sports-related disputes. ‘Hugely bright and incredibly hardworking’ senior associate Abigail Flanagan regularly takes the lead on complex litigation involving injunctive relief and is also noted for her pensions and professional negligence prowess.

Led by corporate partner Gerallt Jones  and drawing upon the expertise of lawyers from across a number of the firm’s business services practice areas, Hugh James‘ multidisciplinary team handles a range of work for professional bodies and sports clubs. Jones is the relationship partner for longstanding client Welsh Rugby Union, with recent work including advice to it on  its collaboration with Celtic Manor on the Parkgate Cardiff, the city’s premier luxury hotel which opened in November 2021. Litigation head Richard Locke is adept at handling sports-related disputes including for rugby players in disciplinary hearings subsequent to dangerous play.

Professional negligent claimant work (for individuals, corporates and public sector clients) forms a central part of the work of Hugh James‘ highly rated commercial disputes team, which is led by Richard Locke. As well as handling an eclectic mix of domestic litigation, including claims against solicitors, surveyors and accountancy firms, the team has developed an excellent reputation handling cross-border group action claims. This is exemplified by its ongoing work for various Kenyan nationals (which were involved in the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s) in bringing a claim against their former solicitors which they argued were negligent when representing them in the original action against the UK Government. Kevin O’Brien is involved in the case alongside Locke, and his recruitment from JCP Solicitors in May 2021 has substantially enhanced the firm’s credentials in cases against solicitors and surveyors. ‘Very bright and hardworking’ senior associate Abigail Flanagan is also a key member of team.