Practice Overview
Rhys joined Chambers in September 2010 and following the successful completion of his pupillage under the supervision of Ruth Henke QC (family and admin) and Sarah Waters (crime and civil) he became a tenant in September 2011.
He has a rapidly expanding practice in private and public Children Act proceedings acting for both local authorities and parents alike. Rhys has been instructed in a multi-handed case involving numerous allegations of sexual abuse with children involved as both alleged victims and perpetrators. Most recently, Rhys acted for a parent in a finding of fact hearing concerning allegations of non-accidental injury where the local authority failed to prove threshold and the child was returned following cross-examination of the appointed paediatrician.
Rhys has an expanding personal injury practice and is happy to receive instructions on a conditional fee basis and has secured numerous repeat instructions from local solicitors. He is regularly instructed in small claims hearings as well as in matters allocated to the Fast Track. He has experience of both claimant and defendant credit hire disputes. Most recently, Rhys successfully defended a landlord and tenant matter allocated to the multi-track.
Rhys also has a particular interest in actions against the police given his experience of dealing with detainees at the police station.
In crime, Rhys was able to establish a reputable Crown Court practice in his second six months’ of pupillage and continues to secure notable results in the criminal courts, having succeeded with a number of technical defences. He has particular experience of defending in motoring cases.
In respect of his immigration practice, Rhys has an excellent record in dealing with immigration and asylum appeals before the First and Upper-Tier Tribunals. He has particular experience of preparing and presenting appeals concerning Gurkha soldiers and their families.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Rhys interned at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague having secured a scholarship from his Inn. During his time in The Hague, Rhys worked for the team that assisted the trial judges in the case of Gotovina et. al. Furthermore, Rhys also worked at a leading criminal law firm in Cardiff prior to pupillage where he was able to qualify as an accredited police station representative and gain experience of a wide range of criminal practice.
Education