Rhodri Williams QC

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Rhodri Williams QC

Year of Call

1987

QC

2010

Areas of Practice

Administrative and Public Law

Education

European and Procurement

Local Government and Planning

Regulatory, Inquiries and Inquests

Practice Overview

Rhodri has developed a national reputation for his sharp intellect along with being extremely experienced in his areas of practice. He is one of the leading public law silks in Wales and specialises in European Community Law, Local Government and Administrative Law.

Between 1992-1997 he worked with the European Commission in Brussels where he was predominantly responsible for the enforcement of the EU internal market legislation in the UK and Ireland.

Since his return he has maintained a particular interest in all aspects of the enforcement of internal market legislation and has also gained experience dealing with issues such as health and safety aspects of food production and imports (he was instructed on the BSE enquiry on behalf of the Welsh Office and on behalf of National Assembly on the 2005 E-Coli outbreak).

Rhodri also advises the Welsh Government in relation to procurement obligations and strategies for local and regional government and the situation of devolved legislation in Wales (he was a founding member of the Welsh Public Law and Human Rights Association and is currently a member of its Executive Committee). He has also represented the UK government on several occasions before the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.

As a fluent Welsh speaker Rhodri is able to undertake cases in Welsh.

Recommendations

'Rhodri Williams QC of Thirty Park Place also operates out of Henderson Chambers in London. A relatively new silk, he is "extremely knowledgeable in public law disputes." He advises local authorities and other public bodies on procurement, competition and state aid matters, and on planning, environment, housing and contract issues'.
(Chambers UK 2012)

"Rhodri Williams QC....is also a procurement specialist". (Legal 500 2012)

‘Rhodri Williams...represents local authorities throughout Wales and England. He is a master of procurement matters and has carved out a reputation for as of the go-to juniors in this area...his practice also covers planning, housing and employment law’. (Chambers UK 2010)

’30 Park Place’s Rhodri Williams enjoys a natural reputation in administrative instructions…’ (Legal 500 2009)

'Rhodri Williams of 30 Park Place impresses clients with his ‘vast knowledge and encyclopedic brain’.(Chambers UK 2009)

‘At 30 Park Place Rhodri Williams is the circuit guru on European Law’.(Legal 500 2006)

Appointments

Panel Counsel to the National Assembly for Wales/Welsh Assembly Government - Public law (since 2000)
National Assembly for Wales Commission Panel – European, Commercial law (since 2007)
Attorney General’s list of Approved Council (since 2000)
Queen's Counsel (2010)

Memberships

Administrative Law Bar Association
Bar European Group
Procurement Lawyers Association
Co-founder of the Wales Public Law and Human Rights Association (now Public Law Wales)

Education

BA (Oxon) Modern Languages, Dip Law (PCL)

Notable and Reported Cases

Henry Bros (Magherafelt) Ltd-v-Department of Education for Northern Ireland (2011) NICA
McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd-v-Department of Finance and Personnel (2011) NICA
Brent LBC-v-Risk Management Partners Ltd & London Authorities Mutual Ltd & Harrow LBC [2011] UKSC 7; [2011] LGR 169: Represented the Interested Parties on their successful appeal against the decisions of the High Court and Court of Appeal in respect of a claim for breach of the EU public procurement regime in relation to the establishment by various London authorities of an insurance mutual to provide insurance services.
R (Governors of Brynmawr Foundation School)-v-Welsh Ministers & Blaenau Gwent CBC [2011] EWHC 519 (Admin). Successfully defended the local education authority in claim against lawfulness of delegation by the Welsh Ministers of power to reorganise sixth form education in foundation schools and the exercise of that power by the local authority.
Lancashire County Council-v-EWC Ltd [2010] EWCA Civ 1381; [2011] LGR 350. Successful appeal against finding of breach of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 in respect of tender for waste management services
Case C-406/08 Uniplex (UK) Limited-v-NHS Business Services Ltd [2010] ECR I-0000 Reference to the Court of Justice of the European Union by the High Court (Leeds District Registry) for a preliminary ruling on the compatibility and effect of limitation periods under the Public Contracts Regulations 2006.
Brent LBC-v-Risk Management Partners Ltd & London Authorities Mutual Ltd & Harrow LBC [2010] EWCA Civ 490. Represented the interested parties on appeal to Court of Appeal in respect of a local authority’s powers to enter into arrangements for mutual insurance under section 2 LGA 2000 and section 111 LGA 1972
Federal Securities Ltd-v-Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland [2009] NICA Appeal against interlocutory injunction granted for breach of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 by the Police Service in Northern Ireland.
R (on the application of Jones & others) v The Welsh Ministers (2008) EWHC (Admin): judicial review of decision to reject appeal of Claimant against the refusal of outline consent to provide pharmaceutical services under the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992;
In the matter of the E.coli Inquiry: instructed on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government in the Public Inquiry into an E.coli outbreak in South Wales in September 2005;
R (on the application of Veja and Co Solicitors) 2008 v Legal Services Commission (2007) EWHC (Admin):application by firm of solicitors for an injunction under the Public Contracts Regulations seeking to prevent award of a contract for the provision of legal aid services;
R (on application by Law Society) v the LSC and Secretary of State [2007] EWHC 1848 (Admin)/[2007] EWHC Civ 1264: appearing as junior counsel for the LSC and Treasury-challenge to the Carter Reforms, first instance and Court of Appeal;
Condron v National Assembly for Wales & another (2005) EWHC 3007 (Admin): challenge to decision of National Assembly's Planning Decision Committee;
R (on the application of D) v Secretary of State for the Home Office & National Assembly for Wales (2004) EWHC 2857 (Admin): first ever claim against the National Assembly for damages for breach of Human Rights Act 1998;
R (on the application of Lloyd) v Pembrokeshire CC & National Assembly for Wales (2004) EWHC 2312 (Admin): judicial review of decision to implement school closure programme;
C-513/00 Concordia Bus Finland Oy Ab v City of Helsinki & HKL Bussilikenne (2002) ECR 1-7213 ECJ: use of environmental criteria in the award of public procurement contracts;
R. v. H.M. Treasury ex parte University of Cambridge [2000] AER(EC) 920 ECJ: definition of contracting authority - interpretation of European directives relating to public service contracts;
Ealing Community Transport Ltd. v. Ealing London Borough Council [2000] 1 PPLR CS27 C of A: enforcement of rights under EU public procurement regime by way of relief other than damages