Regulatory

Overview

Our Regulatory department acts for businesses, individuals and regulators in a very wide range of criminal law matters affecting businesses.

We have a busy prosecution practice acting for the Welsh Government, local authorities, and other regulators in the prosecution of regulatory offences. Our team also advises businesses of all sizes on how to meet their regulatory responsibilities. Where necessary, we represent businesses and individuals in defences against prosecution.

Our specialist services

Find out more our specialist regulatory services below.

Why use us?

Our service is consistently ranked in the legal directories, and our key lawyers have individual rankings that demonstrate their leading reputations in the field.

Key contact

Martin Jones

Partner
As the Head of the Regulatory Department, Martin acts in a wide-range of regulatory crime and professional regulation matters. Martin has built up over 20 years of experience and a wealth of specialist knowledge. He leads the firm’s cross-departmental alcohol and gaming licensing teams. Additionally Martin manages the teams providing a range of outsourced services to local authorities, including court representation of local authorities Adult and Children’s Services Departments.

Connor Hegarty is very knowledgeable but also realistic and practical which provides an excellent balance which results in a very good service for clients.

Legal 500

Sara Tomaszewski is one of the hardest working solicitors I have worked with. Her capacity is enormous and she will go the extra mile to make sure work is done, and done well and on time. She is very impressive. She combines this with an astute realism and a client focus which assists when dealing with difficult cases.

Legal 500

Sara Tomaszewski is a “cheat code” of an instructing solicitor – she works exceptionally hard, is super bright and firmly puts the client first. She is an absolute delight to be instructed by and great to strategise with.

Legal 500

Martin Jones was always very approachable, knowledgeable and responsive.

Legal 500

Senior associate Justin Davies is pivotal to much of this work, and as well as continuing to represent Wales-based Fire and Rescue Authorities in fire safety law matters, has also developed niche expertise in prosecutions brought by the Welsh government relating to breaches of UK, Welsh and European fisheries legislation.

The Legal 500

Although Hugh James does handle some defence work for private individuals and corporate clients of the firm, including in relation to potential fraud, health and safety and money laundering infractions, the core focus of its three-strong regulatory team, which is headed by Martin Jones, lies in its prosecution work for central and local government and various non-police prosecution agencies.

The Legal 500

Justin Davies has an enviable track record in fire safety cases. He has a detailed knowledge of fire safety law and enforcement, is calm under pressure, and provides timely and pragmatic advice.

The Legal 500

Senior associate Justin Davies forms a key part of the firm’s regulatory offering and has attained a market leading reputation for fire safety work as a result of his representation of South Wales Fire & Rescue Service on enforcement matters.

The Legal 500

The work carried out by Justin Davies has been to the highest standard, from early-stage advice during investigations, through to providing representation in hearings in the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Courts. A real attraction is that Justin has Higher Rights of Audience in criminal proceedings, meaning that he is able to provide continuity of representation throughout the case.

The Legal 500

Hugh James has become best-known for its health and safety prosecution work in recent years, to a large extent because of senior associate Justin Davies’ ‘detailed knowledge of fire safety law and enforcement’. This degree of specialism continues to be recognised by several fire and rescue authorities, including the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, which continues to instruct Davies on all prosecutions brought by it under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The Legal 500

Justin Davies is of the highest calibre. He has a wide knowledge of the legal issues in a case and ability to see the aspects that need attention. He is a skilled advocate and negotiator. Without question a great asset.

The Legal 500

Our clients

  • Welsh Government
  • Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency
  • South Wales Fire & Rescue Service
  • Mid & West Fire & Rescue Service
  • Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service
  • East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service
  • Cardiff County Council

Webinars

Regulatory

Webinar replay: Data protection essentials

Regulatory
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Related services

Alcohol licensing Fire Safety Gambling Licensing Gaming (Gambling & Non-Gambling) Health and Safety Motoring offences Professional Regulation

Next steps

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