Legal 500 again names 9 Park Place as a leading set

The latest edition of the Legal 500 has once again named 9 Park Place Chambers as a leading tier one set offering strong all-round expertise. Head of Chambers Paul Hopkins Q.C. said: “we are delighted to report that twenty five members are recommended across a record eight Legal 500 practice areas, the most of any set on the Wales and Chester circuit, illustrating the breadth of quality available at 9 Park Place.” The latest edition of the rankings, released in October 2014, also notes that its senior clerk Michael Lieberman “heads up the ‘friendly' clerking team which provides an ‘excellent level of service'”.

Within Commercial, Banking and Insolvency it is noted that: “9 Park Place’s junior counsel are strong in all areas of traditional Chancery and commercial litigation. Members are regularly instructed in cases involving shareholder agreements, insolvency and contentious probate, among other areas....”  Individual members recommended are Gwydion Hughes, who is “an extremely able commercial and Chancery practitioner, knowledgeable in private client, insolvency and company law,” Emyr Jones, who “has a highly regarded probate and inheritance practice” and Richard Kember, whose “Chancery and commercial expertise includes TOLATA claims as well as company and insolvency law.”

Within Construction, Planning and Environment, Emyr Jones is recommended as being “experienced in representing local authorities at inquiries” and the Legal 500 notes that members at 9 Park Place “act for local planning authorities, developers and interest groups, among other bodies. Compulsory purchase orders and rights of way disputes are areas of particular expertise.”

Within Crime, 9 Park Place is noted as having a “strong group of criminal practitioners,” and individual recommendations are Gregg Taylor Q.C., who is described as being “a specialist in the prosecution and defence of murder and other serious offences,” head of the criminal team David Elias, “a robust cross-examiner,”  Matthew Roberts, who is “particularly strong at cross-examining in cases with complex forensic and medical issues,” Heath Edwards, who is “experienced in the prosecution and defence of large-scale drugs offences and white-collar fraud,” Matthew Cobbe, “experienced in prosecuting and defending high-profile and sensitive cases, including those involving sexual offences” and Elizabeth Pearson who “has a sensitive approach when working with vulnerable witnesses and defendants.”

Within Employment, where barristers at 9 Park Place are recommended as providing “excellent assistance to employers and employees alike on all types of disputes, including those involving unfair dismissal, restraint of trade and breach of confidence,” head of the employment team Richard Kember, noted as being “experienced in acting for both claimants and defendants,” Robert Vernon, listed as “an expert in employment law and discrimination claims,”  Phillip Morris, described as “an effective advocate who deals with a range of issues, including redundancy, unpaid wages and TUPE” and Carys Williams, who is noted as being “knowledgeable in all aspects of employment law” are all recommended.

Within Family and Children law, where 9 Park Place has the most individual recommendations of any set on circuit, the family team is noted as offering "a wide range of skillsets at all levels of call," which “handles a significant amount of work for local authorities in care proceedings. Other areas of expertise include high-value financial remedy, TOLATA, cohabitee disputes and Inheritance Act cases.”  Head of Chambers Paul Hopkins Q.C., who is “a strong all-rounder in both children and financial remedy cases,” head of the family team Owen Thomas, who “has recently been particularly active in cases involving factitious illness, and alleged physical and emotional harm,”  Christopher Felstead, “a specialist in financial remedy,” Richard Miller, being “particularly well regarded for his expertise in complex care proceedings,” Christina Thomas, of whom it is noted “clients appreciate that she explains matters in a straightforward way,” Lisa Thomas, “equally adept in children and financial matters,” Andrew Barcello, described as “fearless in court," Eifion Williams, who is “a tenacious and effective advocate,” and Matthew Barry, who “in addition to his children work, has an interest in family-related TOLATA or inheritance cases,”  are all recommended.

Within Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence, amongst a team noted as dealing with “matters ranging from routine fast-track claims to complex high-value multi-track matters,” Peter Brooks is recommended as “a first-rate specialist in high-value claims involving severe brain and spinal injuries.”

Within Property, Gareth Thomas who, it is noted, “regularly appears in Land Registry adjudications” and is “dependable and a safe pair of hands” and the “meticulous, approachable and client friendly” Emyr Jones are both recommended.

Within Regulatory, Health and Safety and Licensing, David Elias is noted as being “experienced in defending prosecutions brought by the Environment Agency,” in a chambers where members “regularly undertake regulatory disputes.”

9 Park Place Chambers has been a leading Welsh legal brand for over sixty years and continues to set the standard for top quality legal representation in Wales. Based in the centre of Cardiff, it provides barristers recommended in commercial litigation, crime, employment, family, personal injury & clinical negligence, property law and public law & planning.   Its members are frequently involved in some of the most high-profile cases on the Wales and Chester Circuit as well as representing clients nationwide.