Leveraging extensive pure public law expertise, from both a UK perspective and in the context of Welsh devolved powers, and also drawing upon more broad-based public sector prowess across the firm's full-service offering, Blake Morgan LLP offers 'sound legal advice' to a myriad public sector bodies (including at local and central government level), ensuring it can provide a tailored service addressing issues unique to entities in the space. 'Calm and incredibly friendly' team head Eve Piffaretti is a reassuring presence to Welsh public sector and UK regulators in the context of health and social care law matters, including when responding to safeguarding issues and advice relating to adults at risk (areas which have an added layer of complexity due to their adherence to secondary legislation which is Welsh specific). The vastly experienced Graham Miles is also very active in the health and social care sectors, both as it relates to his work for regulatory bodies investigating fitness to practice, as well as his niche expertise in the area of human fertilisation (where Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is a cornerstone client). Public procurement-related work also continues to generate a substantial amount of work, with Penri Desscan and Simon McCann noted for their expertise on behalf of contracting authorities, including in the context of long term, complex, high-value services and supplies contracts. Litigator Joanne Thompson takes the lead in the event of procurement challenges and is also at the forefront of the firm's public inquiries offering, which includes continued representation of NHS England in the Covid-19 inquiry. Sarah Whittle is also very active in the healthcare sector and as well as being involved in the aforementioned inquiry, is regularly engaged in procurement challenges in the sector. Trish D'Souza excels at work at the intersection of public and education law, regularly advising, inter alia, on disciplinary matters and judicial review challenges. 'Approachable and highly communicative' associate Daniel Taylor is also gaining market recognition, particularly among local authorities, for his aptitude at handling complex Court of Protection-related litigation matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They are extremely professional and knowledgeable, and provide sound legal advice.'
- 'They have proven knowledge and experience in a range of legal matters from relatively straightforward court work to highly challenging and complex case work.'
- 'Eve Piffaretti is calm and incredibly friendly, and provides very high-quality advice.'
- 'Graham Miles has an extensive knowledge of the law in the niche area of human fertilisation and never fails to provide prompt and practical advice which is always on-point.'
- 'The approachable and highly communicative Daniel Taylor has to be highly praised for his dedication, responsiveness and sound advice. We have worked closely with him on a number of cases and cannot articulate how highly he is regarded within our department.'
Key clients
- Welsh Ministers/Welsh Government
- Health & Care Professionals Council
- Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)
- The NHS Wales (all seven University Local Health Boards and three NHS Trusts in Wales – including the Welsh Blood Service as well as Digital Health and Care Wales)
- NHS England
- Education Workforce Council
- Welsh Language Commissioner
- Human Tissue Authority
- Social Care Wales
- Development Bank for Wales
Work highlights
- Advised the Welsh Language Commissioner (WLC) on a complaint from a person who believed Neath Port Talbot Council had not given appropriate consideration to the Welsh language during the consultation process on its proposal to open a new English medium primary school.
- On-going Renting Homes (Wales) Act Advice following implementation often Act to include possession proceedings under the Act, advising on operational matters such as contested successions, dealing with the new rules on transferring occupation contracts between contract holders, variation of occupation contracts under new procedures introduced by the Act.
- Provided legal support to NHS England and OPCW in relation to the on -going COVID-19 Inquiry.
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Practice head
Eve Piffaretti
Other key lawyers
Penri Desscan; Simon McCann; Siân Jones; Paula Kathrens; Graham Miles; Claire Rawle; Lee Fisher; Joanna Rees; Richard M Jones; Emyr Jones; Louise Howells; Joanne Thompson; Delme Griffiths; Sarah Whittle; Joanna Corbett- Simmons; Tom Walker; Tomos Lewis; Trish D’Souza; Jermel Anderson; Kate Howell; Tanya Barrett; Daniel Taylor; Spencer Gardner