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Framework overview

The Welsh Government Commercial Delivery (WGCD) framework (previously known as the National Procurement Service (NPS) framework) allows public sector bodies in Wales to engage the services of legal providers without the need to go through its own tender process. We were first appointed to the WGCD Legal Services Framework in 2015.

Since our appointment, we have strengthened our relationships with public sector clients providing timely and comprehensive legal advice and support when they have needed it the most. The knowledge and understanding acquired over this time have meant that we have been appointed to more lots than any other firm on the WGCD framework.

Recent work

Hugh James helps pave the way for ground-breaking Welsh road project

Hugh James supports innovative Welsh Government loan scheme to prevent COVID homelessness

Hugh James secures landmark win for Natural Resources Wales in historic ‘mineral rights’ case

Hugh James Advises on International Convention Centre Wales
View More

How to instruct us

Legal advice can be called off the WGCD framework through a direct award or via a mini-competition, depending on the value or complexity of the advice sought.

The contract award means that, under the WGCD framework agreement, public sector bodies in Wales can now directly engage Hugh James for more legal advice and support when they need it, across a broader range of legal areas.

For more information on how to engage Hugh James for legal advice please contact us.

get in touch

Why Hugh James?

Hugh James has a rich history of advising the public sector in Wales. Our advice and support extends to local authorities, further and higher education bodies, housing associations, Welsh Government sponsored bodies and the Welsh Government. Many of our lawyers have previously worked in-house including in central and local government, so have an understanding of the culture and values that drive organisations in the public and third sector.

As the largest Welsh law firm, we have a deep understanding of the increasing divergence in policy and legislation in the devolved areas where Welsh Government, and not Westminster, has legislative competence. This is of particular importance for our public sector clients in Wales who need advisers that understand the growing divergence between Cardiff Bay and Westminster.

Hugh James is ideally placed to continue to advise the Welsh public sector on their legal requirements – including employment law, civil and criminal litigation, corporate governance and ethical standards, education law, property, planning and environmental law, and children and adult social services as well as advice on the innovative Mutual Investment Model (MIM).

Key contact for WGCD enquiries

Ioan is head of the firm’s business services division, which comprises all of the teams which provide transactional, contractual, advisory and dispute resolution advice to businesses and organisations.  Ioan is also Head of our Construction, Energy and Projects team and has spent almost 20 years advising clients on non-contentious and contentious construction matters. He has extensive experience in the construction and engineering sector and has acted in a number of high value and complicated disputes. Ioan’s role involves advising the firm’s key clients on some of the most significant construction projects and disputes in Wales and the wider UK.

Lot 1 – Adult Social Services

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • Legal advice to social work teams.
  • Advice relating to health and social care including mental health, community care, residential care, older people, people with disability, elderly mentally infirm and all other aspects of social care.
  • Proceedings relating to health and social care matters.
  • Public interest immunity issues including attendance at court.
  • Advice and conduct of proceedings relating to judicial review.
  • Court of Protection.

Information Session WGCD Framework

Current issues in Deprivation of Liberty and Welfare cases

In the information session: Lot 1 – Adult Social Services, Sheila Moore, James Drew and Martin Jones consider recent cases and experience, including decisions relating to vaccination and those concerning the right to marry or form other personal relationships.

Key Contact

Sheila is the lead contact in the regulatory department for dealing with Adult social services matters on behalf of local authorities.

Relevant Experience – Lot 1

Our recent experience includes:

  • Advising Welsh authorities on the implementation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
  • Defending claims for accommodation and support, including those for residential educational support applications to prevent forced marriage of adults with learning difficulties.
  • Representation in deprivation of liberty applications (DoLS), welfare and finance matters before the Court of Protection.

We are also the sole source of legal advisors to Social Care Wales’ Regulatory Committees.

Lot 2 – Child Social Services

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • Public interest immunity issues including attendance at court.
  • Advice and conduct of proceedings relating to judicial review.
  • Legal advice to social work teams.
  • Children Act proceedings in all courts.
  • Adoption and Children Act proceedings in all courts.
  • Fostering and adoption advice.

Information Session: WGCD Framework

Recent issues in child protection practice

Jo Couch, Sara Tomaszewski and Martin Jones speak about recent developments including the law concerning the authorisation of the Deprivation of Liberty of Children and briefly survey the law relating to European child protection cooperation post-Brexit.

Key Contact

Sara is a highly experienced solicitor who's primary area of practice is within the childcare sector representing various local authorities within the South Wales area, where she undertakes all aspects of proceedings including advocacy. Sara also has significant experience in representing clients in private family law matters.

Relevant Experience – Lot 2

Our recent experience includes:

  • Acting for the Children’s Services and Adult Services departments of numerous local authorities in Wales. We provide outsourced legal advice to the local authorities in respect of Public Law Children Act proceedings and Court of Protection proceedings. We take over cases acting as the legal department for the client’s Social Services departments conducting all preparatory stages and all court work. We typically have 50 cases in an active stage at any one time.
  • Acting for a south Wales Local Authority in care proceedings. The local authority issued care proceedings in light of the significant deficits in parenting being provided by the parents. The case involved the instruction of a psychiatric and psychological expert in light of mother’s history of self-harm and attempted suicide.
  • Acting for a local authority in care and wardship proceedings involving a 14 year-old boy with an autistic spectrum disorder. He has only left his home on a handful of occasions in the last two years and has a number of ritualistic behaviours. These are the longest running care proceedings in Wales currently and are being dealt with in the High Court.
  • Acting for a local authority in complex proceedings involving cross-border travel and an unrecognised jurisdiction.

Lot 3 – Civil Litigation

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • County court proceedings (Claimant and Defendant)
  • High court proceedings (Claimant and Defendant)
  • Judicial review proceedings
  • Magistrate court civil actions
  • Licensing proceedings/appeals
  • Possession proceedings
  • Anti-social behaviour orders
  • Enforcement proceedings
  • Bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings
  • Housing disrepair claims
  • Injunctions
  • Planning public enquiries/appeals
  • Personal injury
  • Housing law
  • Licensing law
  • Travellers
  • Alternative dispute resolution.

Information Session: WGCD Framework

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): An update on developments, use and benefits in light of the Covid-19 Crisis

In this session, Richard Locke and Tracey Singlehurst-Ward look at the changing litigation environment, the move to virtual court proceedings and the impact that can have on the benefits of ADR. They also look at how this has worked in real-life scenarios and provide top tips for conducting virtual ADR.

Information Session: WGCD Framework

10 top tips for disrepair claims and the latest updates on possession claims

When COVID-19 turned the world on its head the one thing that remained constant was the influx of disrepair claims. Rebecca Rees guides you through our top 10 tips for handling these claims. Bethan Gladwyn then provides an overview of the current rules and practice for possession claims together with our experience since the lifting of the stay.

Information Session: WGCD Framework

Injury, property and recovery claims

Alun Tobias and Leon Lloyd will offer an overview of all the claims services that are available to public sector bodies in Wales under Lot 3: Civil Litigation.

Key Contact

Richard is a Partner and an elected partner on the firm’s board of management.  He is also Group Head of the ever expanding dispute resolution team at Hugh James. He conducts major commercial disputes frequently with an international flavour including commercial claims, mining disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, professional negligence claims, contentious IT disputes, injunctive relief and insolvency.

Relevant Experience – Lot 3

Our recent experience includes:

  • Housing management work including defending numerous disrepair claims on behalf of a local authority and advising on the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.
  • Defending a claim on behalf of a local authority brought against it by a contractor. The claim relates to alleged breaches of contract pursuant to a contract notice issued in the OJEU. Our client, together with two other contracting authority, launched a competitive tender procedure for the award of a framework agreement for the provision of services. The contractor alleges that the contract has been breached as a result of a revised tender calculation. The revision was caused by a unilateral increase to rates issued by the contractor and the claim is denied.
  • Acting for a devolved administration in respect of a claim brought against it by various claimants arising out of a flooding incident that occurred on a housing estate in North Wales. There were 15 claimants and 6 defendants in this complex multi-party action.
  • Acting for a Welsh Government department in defending a complex and high-value contractual claim brought by a limited company, which had provided training services in connection with a programme of EU funded projects. The claim was valued in excess of £5million.

Lot 4 – Corporate Governance and Ethical Standards

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • Monitoring officers support
  • Advice to standards committee
  • Investigations
  • Advice on council constitutions and governance issues
  • Ombudsman complaints
  • Freedom of information and data protection
  • Local authority powers and vires
  • General local authority law.

Information Session: WGCD Framework

The application of the Nolan Principles in local government in 2021

In this session, Justin Davies and Martin Jones will focus on governance and ethical standards issues in local authorities, looking at the Seven Principles of Public Life, first set out by Lord Nolan in 1995 that outlined the ethical standards those working in the public sector are expected to adhere to.

Key Contact

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.

Relevant Experience – Lot 4

Our recent experience includes:

  • Providing training to all Local Authorities (LAs) in Wales on the role and responsibilities of a Monitoring Officer.
  • Providing training to board members of a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC) in north Wales. Advice included members role both as board members and elected members of the parent local authority.
  • Advising on the future delivery of leisure services on behalf of a Local Authority in Wales. At the end of the options analysis, the client chose to establish a LATC and we advised on its establishment. We advised on the powers of the LA to transform its leisure services, the options available, EU procurement law and commercial considerations, company law implications, property issues (including state aid considerations), charity law and employment and TUPE issues. We also provided training to board members on their role both as board members and elected members of the parent local authority.
  • Advising the seven Community Health Councils (CHCs) in Wales (which are coterminous with the seven Welsh Local Health Boards) and providing advice and assistance to the Board whose function it is to advise, assist and monitor the performance of CHCs. We have given detailed advice regarding codes of conduct and procedures to be followed in the event of concerns raised about the conduct of CHC members and CHC staff.

We are also the sole source of legal advisors to Social Care Wales’s Regulatory Committees, including acting as advisors in its fitness to practice panels.

Lot 5 – Criminal Litigation

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • Magistrates proceedings (Claimant and Defendant)
  • Crown court proceedings (Claimant and Defendant)
  • Judicial review proceedings
  • Magistrate court civil actions
  • Enforcement proceedings
  • Injunctions
  • Health and safety prosecutions
  • Food prosecutions
  • Trading standards prosecutions
  • Planning prosecutions
  • Planning public enquiries/appeals
  • Fraud prosecutions

Information Session: WGCD Framework

The impact of the Sentencing Code on sentencing in criminal proceedings

On 1 December 2020 the Sentencing Code came into effect in England and Wales, consolidating existing sentencing procedure law into a single Sentencing Act. In this session, Martin Jones looks at the impact this has on sentencing in criminal proceedings.

Key Contact

Justin has specialised in criminal and regulatory law since qualification in 2007. He has particular experience of regulatory criminal proceedings instituted by Local Authorities and other non-police agencies, and spent time as a specialist regulatory prosecutor at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, advising and prosecuting on behalf of its trading standards, public/environmental health and counter-fraud departments. Justin now practises in regulatory, corporate crime and allied areas, acting for both prosecution and defence. Justin holds (and regularly exercises) Higher Rights of Audience in Criminal Proceedings, which allows him to represent clients before the higher criminal courts.

Relevant Experience – Lot 5

We have significant experience providing prosecution and legal services to public sector bodies in Wales (and beyond) in the field of criminal litigation. Our team members are ranked in the Legal 500 Directory, and comprise highly experienced criminal practitioners (including a Higher Court Advocate, which provides continuity of representation during the lifetime of a case). We provide advisory, enforcement and prosecution legal services to South Wales Fire & Rescue Service and since 2016, we have been the sole providers of advisory, enforcement and prosecution services to the Welsh Government’s Marine Fisheries Division. Additionally, we provide prosecution and legal services to the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency in England and Wales, and have acted for the Agency in proceedings before the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). We have also been instructed by Local Authorities in connection with criminal investigations they have been subject to.

Our recent experience includes:

  • Acting for a Local Authority in connection with a joint investigation by South Wales Police and the Health & Safety Executive into the circumstances surrounding the death of a Council employee (including representation at an inquest before a jury).
  • Acting for a Local Authority in connection with a police investigation into allegations of fraud and misconduct in public office.
  • Acting for the Counsel General for Wales in the prosecution of a number of Belgian fishing companies and Masters of vessels (which required detailed knowledge and application of EU and domestic maritime legislation, and international criminal law and procedure).
  • Acting for the Counsel General for Wales in criminal proceedings relating to a company trading as a producer of organic eggs. The company exceeded the maximum permitted stocking density of its organic hen house, with the result that eggs produced from that house lost their organic status, but which were nevertheless sold by the producer as organic eggs.
  • Acting for South Wales Fire & Rescue Service in a recent prosecution of a residential care home, resulting the largest fine imposed on such a facility since the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into force.
  • Acting for the Counsel General for Wales in the first prosecution brought in Wales under the Eggs & Chicks (Wales) Regulations 2010.
  • Acting for the Counsel General for Wales in the first prosecution brought in Wales for operating and managing an unregistered independent medical agency. The case attracted national and international press coverage.
  • Acting for the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency in a number of prosecutions nationally of individuals cheating their driving theory tests.

Lot 6 – Education Law

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • Advice to LEAs and schools
  • Special needs tribunals
  • School appeals panels
  • Legal advice on school governance
  • School attendance prosecutions
  • School re-organisations
  • Public interest immunity issues including attendance at court
  • Advice and conduct of proceedings relating to judicial review
  • Advice on legislation to universities and further education colleges
  • Advice on university and further education college governance
  • Advice on further education student complaints
  • Policy advice.

Key Contact

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.

Relevant Experience – Lot 6

Our recent experience includes:

  • Advising the Welsh Government in relation to the possible revision of the technical further education qualification system in Wales.
  • Advising a Welsh Government agency on the risks arising from a scheme under which 11 Welsh sixth-form students were offered the opportunity to participate in a Summer placement at Yale University.
  • Advising the Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at a Local Education Authority (LEA) in Wales, regarding industrial action by trade union members at a voluntary aided Catholic High School.
  • Defending claims for constructive dismissal and whistleblowing that had been brought by a former employee of a school following a fraud investigation by the authority into the school’s finances.

Lot 7 – Employment

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • General advice
  • Contract formation
  • Secondment agreements
  • Discrimination law
  • Equal pay
  • Pensions
  • Advice on legislative changes TUPE
  • Grievance handling
  • Dismissal procedures
  • Dispute resolution
  • Compromise agreements
  • Tribunal work
  • School employment law
  • Other payroll / HR matters
  • Police authority work
  • Senior officer complaints police staff appeals.

Information Session: WGCD Framework

Whistleblowing – the legal framework and a practical look at the protections as well as the challenges posed by managed exits and “gagging” clauses

In this session, Louise Price, Eleanor Bamber and Christine Bradbury look at the legal framework relating to whistleblowing as well as a practical look at the protections and challenges posed by managed exits and ‘gag’ clauses.

Key Contact

A highly specialised lawyer, Louise is a Partner and Head of Employment and HR services. Her expertise includes corporate support work, TUPE, pensions and employee benefits advice. She regularly advises private, public and third sector clients regarding large scale TUPE transfers of staff including drafting indemnities and warranties, advising on potential employment and pension liabilities, information and consultation obligations, and providing best value guidance.

Relevant Experience – Lot 7

Our recent experience includes:

  • Providing day-to-day advice on a broad range of employee issues to a Welsh Government Sponsored Body. We have advised on issues arising out of the implementation of its pay and grading structure and its organisational redesign programme. Our advice has included how to apply its change principles in a fair and non-discriminatory way, as well as providing advice in dealing with grievances brought as a result of the process.
  • Advising a public sector body on the implications of IR35 and assisting with an HMRC enquiry.
  • Advising on the public sector cap on exit payments including final salary pension issues.
  • Providing policy development advice and assistance.
  • Acting for a large local authority in relation to a complex disability and whistleblowing tribunal claim.
  • Advising on TUPE transfers both from and to public sector organisations.
  • Organisational change programmes including staff engagement and redundancies.

Lot 8 – Major IT and Commercial Contracts

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • EU procurement advice
  • IT contracts and advice on procurement
  • Building contracts
  • Engineering contracts services
  • Contracts
  • Performance bonds
  • Guarantees
  • Service level agreements
  • Commercial agreements
  • Entertainment agreements
  • Contract and IP disputes
  • Waste management
  • State aid
  • Charities
  • Company law including formation of companies
  • Partnership/Multi agency agreements
  • PFI agreements
  • Funding agreements
  • Trust agreements
  • Charities
  • School construction agreements
  • Joint venture agreements
  • Advice on trademarks, copyright and IPR.

Intellectual Property - how to manage and protect your rights

Emily Powell, Matt Detheridge and Harry Sawyer provide you with an introduction to intellectual property and explain why intellectual property is important to public authorities and how to protect your intellectual property rights and more.

Construction Law - practical completion and adjudication

Matthew discusses the practical and legal meaning of the commonly used, but often misunderstood, phrase “practical completion” in construction contracts. Jade provides an introduction to construction adjudication by considering the “5 W’s”.

Forming Trading Entities - the risks, benefits and procurement considerations

Gemma outlines the different corporate entities that can be formed, including local authority trading companies (LATC), a company limited by guarantee and a company limited by shares. Gemma covers their structure, liability limit and regulatory requirements. Emily discusses procurement considerations relating to each corporate vehicle.

Contracts - the structure and terms of commercial agreements

Lowri Walters, Natalie Lane and Dominic Weston will discuss the structure and terms of commercial agreements.

Key Contact

Emily is a partner in the Corporate and Commercial team. Emily specialises in commercial law, public procurement and subsidy control. Emily has advised housing associations on their procurement processes and can provide a complete legal service for all procurement and project requirements. Emily also hosts a forum for ‘heads of’ procurement working within the social housing sector.

Relevant Experience – Lot 8

Our recent experience includes:

  • Advising a local authority on a procurement challenge received from an unsuccessful bidder for a multi-million pound food framework.
  • Advising a local authority on the establishment of a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC) to deliver its leisure services. The advice included procurement, state aid, TUPE and company formation.
  • Advising a public sector client on a multi-million pound, multi-party action in relation to damage caused by demolition works undertaken by a contractor in a national road building scheme.
  • Advising a government sponsored body on their suite of standard contract documents. We were asked to examine the public law issues and draft a set of standard GDPR compliant data protection clauses suitable for use across the range of different contracts and in their on-going agreements. We were also asked to draft a side-letter incorporating the GDPR clauses into on-going contracts.

Lot 9 – Planning & Environmental Law

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • Planning and environmental law advice
  • Advice on determination of planning applications
  • Consents and conditions
  • Section 106 agreements
  • Planning public enquiries/appeals
  • Planning prosecutions
  • Planning enforcement
  • Contaminated land
  • Building regulations
  • Judicial review proceedings
  • Rights of way
  • Drainage
  • Commons & village greens
  • Highway advice
  • Flooding advice
  • Parliamentary agents services (including legislative drafting and advice on vires).

Information Session: WGCD Framework

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems: The Key issues for Local Authorities and Developers

Since January 2019, all new developments of more than 1 dwelling house or where the construction area is 100 square meters or more, require sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) for surface water. This session will look at the key issues that face Local Authorities and developers when dealing with SuDS.

Key Contact

Peter heads up the fastest expanding real estate team in Wales. He was responsible for negotiating the lease for one of the biggest pre-let office deals in Wales, the firm’s new landmark headquarters at Two Central Square.

Relevant Experience – Lot 9

Our recent experience includes:

  • Advising the Welsh Government on a public/private sector joint venture arrangement for the redevelopment of a commercial scheme and a residential scheme of 450 units. We advised on the planning and infrastructure agreements for the commercial elements as well as defending a claim by local residents to register the land as a town and village green. We were successful in defending the claim and the TVG application was rejected.
  • Advising a local authority in South Wales on the planning aspects relating to the client’s proposed regeneration of a waterfront development and related disposal strategy to a lead developer who would be required to obtain requisite planning approvals as condition of drawdown. The scheme is intended to be delivered in phases and included some land in third party ownership.
  • Advising a government department on the planning aspects, compulsory purchase powers and infrastructure funding agreement for a private sector led development in North Wales to redevelop a 400-acre brownfield site.

Lot 10 – Property

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • Sales of commercial land and property
  • Purchase of commercial land and property
  • Lease of commercial land and property
  • Compulsory purchase orders and inquiries
  • Development agreements
  • Section 106 agreements
  • Commercial leases
  • Redevelopment project agreements
  • Licences and concession agreements
  • Agriculture agreements
  • Highway agreements
  • Rent review and associated proceedings
  • Road adoption agreements
  • Conveyancing ancillary documents/agreements
  • Sale of land and property
  • Purchase of land and property
  • Lease of land and property
  • Legal charges
  • Shared ownership
  • Land tribunal
  • Compulsory purchase orders and public inquiries
  • Allotment agreements
  • Rent to buy disposals
  • Commons and village greens
  • Land charges
  • Housing law
  • Landlord and tenant
  • Primary care

Information Session: WGCD Framework

Public sector disposals: making the most of your assets

Richard Macphail will cover some practical hints and tips for Local Authorities when negotiating terms to dispose of land and buildings, touching upon contract terms, option agreements, restrictive covenants and overage.

Key Contact

As a Partner in the Commercial Property team, Caroline O’Flaherty, specialises in acquisitions, disposals, property development and finance. Working across a variety of sectors, from office, retail, and industrial to leisure, Caroline has particular expertise in property portfolio management and leasing work.

Relevant Experience – Lot 10

Our recent experience includes:

  • Working with our property litigation team, acting for Natural Resources Wales in a landmark case regarding mineral rights.
  • Advising Coleg Gwent on the Newport Knowledge Quarter. We have been advising on the structure of the transaction, access agreements, complex option agreements, leases and funding arrangements together with pre-emption agreements and shared occupational arrangements.
  • Acting for two RSLs on a site acquisition, subject to a JV between Welsh Government and a Local Authority. We drafted an innovative JV between two RSLs ensuring collaborative working and tax efficient golden brick agreements, provided procurement and construction advice on the appointment of the building contractor and the professional team.
  • Acting for a Local Authority in a landmark waterfront redevelopment project. There were requirements to establish legal structures to ensure phased delivery of appropriate planning approvals and infrastructure to service the project site. There were extensive and complex issues including advising on joint venture agreement, site assembly, procuring land and compulsory purchase powers.
  • Acting for an NHS Trust in Wales in respect of the acquisition of warehousing facilities at an industrial park in south Wales. The premises were required as part of the Trust’s contingency plans to mitigate impact of Brexit on supply chains and manage and safeguard supply of pharmaceutical and medical equipment and goods. The transaction involved granting a long leasehold interest out of complex legal title and negotiating adequate rights to enable future development of the asset within the constraints of the business/industrial park.

Lot 13 – Central Government Advice (Welsh Government)

This Lot is available only to the Welsh Government.

Key Contact

Ioan is head of the firm’s business services division, which comprises all of the teams which provide transactional, contractual, advisory and dispute resolution advice to businesses and organisations.  Ioan is also Head of our Construction, Energy and Projects team and has spent almost 20 years advising clients on non-contentious and contentious construction matters. He has extensive experience in the construction and engineering sector and has acted in a number of high value and complicated disputes. Ioan’s role involves advising the firm’s key clients on some of the most significant construction projects and disputes in Wales and the wider UK.

Relevant Experience – Lot 13

Our recent experience includes:

  • Supporting the Welsh Government with the financing of an innovative loan scheme to prevent COVID-19 homelessness.
  • Advising the Welsh Government on all aspects of its involvement in the International Convention Centre in Wales.
  • Advising the Welsh Government on complex and politically sensitive matters including major infrastructure projects, debt and equity investments.

We are also the sole providers of advisory, enforcement and prosecution services to the Welsh Government’s Marine Fisheries Division.

Lot 14A – Mutual Investment Model (MIM) Major Projects Legal Advice

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • Standard form document preparation
  • Vires issues
  • Commercial & contracting structure
  • Provide legal advice on and review of OJEU Notice.
  • Provide legal advice on and review of SQ documentation and evaluation methodology.
  • Advice on the short-listing process
  • Manage the development, negotiation and revision of the documents
  • Advise and assist with the finalisation of selected bidder letter including updating Organisation contracts and reviewing contractor
  • Provide advice and guidance tin the event of a challenge to the procurement process.

Key Contact

Iwan advises on non-contentious construction matters and has prepared and negotiated documentation on a wide variety of projects. He has advised on building contracts, appointments, development agreements, construction security documentation and all associated documentation. Iwan has advised public sector clients in social housing, education, local and national government as well as contractors, consultants, sub-contractors, developers and funders in the private sector. Iwan has a particular interest and expertise in framework agreements and collaborative construction contracts.

Relevant Experience – Lot 14A

Our recent experience includes:

  • Advising on the first ever MIM project in Wales. We advised on the MIM competitive dialogue process for the finance, design, construction and operation of S5&6 of the £590 million A465 Heads of Valleys project with partners, Harper Macleod.
  • Advising Coleg Gwent on the Newport Knowledge Quarter (MIM and capital funding) including the transaction structure, access agreements, complex option agreements and more.
  • Advising on a joint venture MIM funded project including statutory functions, existing structures risks, injurious affection and Brexit.
  • Advising our client on all aspects of the International Convention Centre Wales project – one of the largest convention centres in Europe. The project is a 50/50 joint venture between a devolved administration and Celtic Manor Resort, supported by a loan facility from NatWest. This is one of the leading Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in Wales. We advised from the initial planning, through to completion and on an ongoing basis since then. We were subsequently instructed to advise the joint venture company (JVC).

Lot 14B – Mutual Investment Model (MIM) Participating Organisations Project Advice

This lot covers legal advice and services in relation to, but not restricted to:

  • Advising on the development of the payment mechanism, evaluation of bids and appointment of preferred bidder.
  • Attending bidders meetings as required and advice on negotiation strategies.
  • Attending project team meetings, programme board meetings and organisation meetings.
  • Advice and input on legal/commercial aspects of any gateway/key stage review processes applicable to the organisation.
  • Advice and assistance on state aid and procurement matters.
  • Due diligence.
  • Preparation of and bespoke tailoring of the standard form of project agreement/D&B development agreement for delivery of the new project to reflect project and site specific requirements.
  • Preparation and negotiation of the project specific project agreement/D&B development agreement.
  • Supply chain documentation.
  • Preparation of derogations report.
  • Property due diligence.

Key Contact

Iwan advises on non-contentious construction matters and has prepared and negotiated documentation on a wide variety of projects. He has advised on building contracts, appointments, development agreements, construction security documentation and all associated documentation. Iwan has advised public sector clients in social housing, education, local and national government as well as contractors, consultants, sub-contractors, developers and funders in the private sector. Iwan has a particular interest and expertise in framework agreements and collaborative construction contracts.

Relevant Experience – Lot 14B

Our recent experience includes:

  • Advising on the first ever MIM project in Wales. We advised on the MIM competitive dialogue process for the finance, design, construction and operation of S5&6 of the £590 million A465 Heads of Valleys project with partners, Harper Macleod.
  • Advising Coleg Gwent on the Newport Knowledge Quarter (MIM and capital funding) including the transaction structure, access agreements, complex option agreements and more.
  • Advising on a joint venture MIM funded project including statutory functions, existing structures risks, injurious affection and Brexit.
  • Advising our client on all aspects of the International Convention Centre Wales project – one of the largest convention centres in Europe. The project is a 50/50 joint venture between a devolved administration and Celtic Manor Resort, supported by a loan facility from NatWest. This is one of the leading Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in Wales. We advised from the initial planning, through to completion and on an ongoing basis since then. We were subsequently instructed to advise the joint venture company (JVC).

They are very practical in their approach: they provide us with pragmatic advice and help us and maximise our position every time.

Chambers & Partners

Where do I start? I think of Bethan and her team as an extension of our office such is the relationship I enjoy with the team. They go to great lengths to understand us as clients and when in need of legal knowledge and leadership which is invariably at short notice, they rise to the challenge and deliver with a smile.

Gill Barnett - Tai Calon Community Housing

Caroline’s ability and willingness to make a positive impact stands out on all the projects we have worked together on. We know that she has our interests at the forefront; she makes a positive contribution to the team and inspires and gains the confidence of others.

Scott Rooks | Candleston

Richard is a pleasure to work with and we have a good working relationship. He understands our requirements and helps us meet our often challenging timescales.

Paul Wyatt | Melin Homes

We have appointed Hugh James on a range of site acquisitions. They have provided a professional service with one point of contact, they are responsive, deliver on timescale commitments, good communicators and most importantly, they’ve helped us get deals over the line.

Paul Gardiner | E G Carter

Justin Davies who has ‘valuable and extensive experience in the fire safety arena and regularly displays an excellent knowledge of the law’ when representing core client South Wales Fire & Rescue Service. Benefiting from higher rights of audience in criminal proceedings, Davies also regularly handles the advocacy, a factor that is appreciated by clients ‘as it allows continuity throughout the lifetime of a case’.

The Legal 500

Louise Price is very approachable and easy to speak to, and provides quality and timely advice.

The Legal 500

They are all high-calibre individuals who are easily accessible to their clients. I feel very reassured when the team is on our side.

Chambers & Partners

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