Drawing upon ‘a wide depth of knowledge and experience’ within the public sector, Geldards LLP is a popular choice with central and local government entities. As well as regularly representing public sector entities in employment litigation and advisory matters, ’very responsive and helpful’ team head Helen Snow is also active in strategic mandates. Charles Felgate has a ‘wide depth of knowledge and experience in planning law matters’, including acting for local authorities and national park authorities on large-scale projects and developments, as well as defending judicial review challenges. Construction expert Tony Norris regularly advises the central Welsh government on large infrastructure projects, as well as helping local authorities draft framework agreements and the related disputes. Litigator Jonathan Griffiths is also a key member of the team and excels at handling procurement disputes as well as judicial review matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Geldards have a wide depth of knowledge and experience. Thinking outside the box on transactions to ensure that advice is given on all aspects of transactions including risk management.'
- 'This team has a profound commitment to Welsh public law. They are trusted equally by clients in the private and public sectors to give pragmatic advice across a range of subsectors within public law.'
- 'Helen Snow is very responsive and helpful.'
- 'Helen Snow is a very able and likeable lawyer with an enviable bedside manner and huge amounts of experience.'
- 'Charles Felgate has a wide depth of knowledge and experience in planning law matters, his ability to co-ordinate information and explain complex issues to client departments is exceptional.'
- 'Charles Felgate stands out for his deep knowledge of the differences between Welsh and English public law, particularly planning and environmental law. He has unparalleled experience in Wales of advising clients on large-scale infrastructure projects and manages a diverse and consistently high-profile workload.'
Key clients
- The Welsh Ministers
- Senedd Commission
- Natural Resources Wales
- The Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales
- Estyn (the Welsh equivalent of Ofsted)
- 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
Work highlights
Representing Snowdonia National Park Authority in the Supreme Court, successfully preventing the further implementation of a 1967 planning permission for 401 houses at Aberdovey.
Appointed by the Welsh Government to draft the Social Public Works clauses under the Social Partnership and Procurement Act 2023
Representing the Welsh Ministers and NHS Health Boards in Wales in pursuing a substantial competition law claim against Servier SAS and others in relation to the drug Perindopril.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Helen Snow
Other key lawyers
Charles Felgate; Tony Norris; Jonathan Griffiths; Clare Hardy; Nicola Lawrence; Chris Williams; Susanne Bradley; Bethan Walsh