Skip to content
30 Park Place - Barristers Chambers
Background

Rhys Evans


Call: 2008

Email
Call
CV (PDF)
vCard
Save profile

Rhys Evans is a leading junior in Wales in respect of Private and Public Law children work.

A fluent Welsh speaker, he joined Chambers in 2010 and was appointed a Deputy District Judge and Fee-paid Employment Judge in 2020.

Rhys is consistently instructed in some of the most serious and sensitive Public Law children cases including matters involving child death/homicide, catastrophic injury, fabricated induced injury, serious sexual abuse, honour-based violence and FGM.

He has appeared at all levels up to the Court of Appeal and has been involved in some of the most significant children cases in England and Wales over the last 10 years. He is sought after by Local Authorities and also acts for parents and children’s guardians and has also been instructed as a leading junior on a number of complex cases.

He also advises on Human Rights Act claims arising from Children Act proceedings and frequently supports local authorities with wider matters including pre-issue considerations, threshold, matters of jurisdiction, social care duties, disclosure and policy).

Expertise

Rhys specialises in complex public law children work, including cases involving death, serious abuse, chronic neglect, and secure accommodation. He is frequently instructed in High Court matters involving the Inherent Jurisdiction and is known for his calm, robust advocacy and deep understanding of the legal and human issues at play.

Additional Information

  • FLBA Fees Committee (2024)
  • Fee-paid Employment Judge (2020)
  • Deputy District Judge (2020)
  • Part of the Working Group on Paid McKenzie Friends (2014 and 2015)
  • Member of the Bar Council’s Law Reform Committee (2014)
  • Young Barristers’ Committee Wales and Chester Circuit Representative (2014 and 2015)
  • Trial Judge Intern, United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, The Hague (2008)
  • Bar Vocational Course (Very Competent), Cardiff University Law School
  • LLB (Hons), Cardiff University Law School
  • Welsh (fluent)
  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Powys County Council v AB & Ors [2024] EWHC 3207 (Fam) – Represented the local authority in complex care proceedings involving fabricated induced illness.
  • Re C (Children) [2016] EWCA Civ 374 – Led junior in the Court of Appeal for the local authority in a widely reported case involving a mother’s appeal against the refusal to allow her to name her twin children “Cyanide” and “Preacher”.
  • EB (A Child: Care Order and Placement Order) [2016] EWHC 887 (Fam) – Acted for the child in care proceedings concerning cross-border allegations that the mother had attempted to hand over the baby to another family after travelling from Spain.
  • Pembrokeshire & James [2021] EWFC 71 – Instructed on behalf of the local authority in care proceedings following the murder of a child, involving parallel criminal and family proceedings.
  • Edkins v Hopkins & Ors [2016] EWHC 2542 (Ch) – Represented beneficiaries in a contested probate claim involving a £2 million estate. The case raised issues of undue influence, testamentary capacity, and knowledge and approval.
  • Edkins v Hopkins & Ors [2017] WTLR 39 – Appeared before HHJ Jarman KC (sitting as a High Court Judge) in further proceedings involving the same estate, with contested issues relating to will validity and costs.

For more information
Contact our clerks for assistance with choosing the right barrister for your matter.

clerks@30parkplace.co.uk
+44 (0)2920 398421

"Rhys's legal knowledge is first-rate and always encompasses a much broader canvas of knowledge than required."


Chambers UK 2026

"Rhys is a robust and formidable advocate. His preparation is meticulous and his knowledge of the law is second to none."


Chambers UK 2026

"Rhys is very knowledgeable in child law; he is a very good advocate and is very much in demand by local authorities, guardians and parents' solicitors."


Chambers UK 2026

‘Rhys is an outstanding advocate who inspires utter confidence throughout any instruction, as he is a force to be reckoned with in court and his preparation is second-to-none. Rhys goes above and beyond to assist with the running of the case and his attention detail ensures that any final hearing is meticulously prepared.'


Legal 500 2026

"Rhys is always the first choice for the most serious and complex family cases and is known for his robust advocacy and meticulous preparation."


Chambers UK 2025

"Rhys is an exceptional advocate - persuasive, tenacious and absolutely devastating in cross-examination. He is known for his meticulous preparation and incredible work ethic."


Legal 500 2025

"He inspires total confidence in clients and is always first choice for the most complex and serious cases."


Legal 500 2025

"Rhys is a first-class advocate who has expertise in dealing with even the most complex cases. His attention to detail is meticulous. He has a robust approach and communicates effectively."


Chambers UK 2024

"Rhys is brilliant. He is helpful to work with, is good with future planning and really knows the law in an in-depth way."


Chambers UK 2024

"He is a fiercely intelligent, articulate and persuasive advocate. His depth of knowledge and meticulous preparation are second to none."


Legal 500 2024

"He is incredibly hard-working and always the first choice for his dedicated, straight-talking approach to cases. A pleasure to work with."


Legal 500 2024

"He is a very robust advocate and experienced in dealing with the most complex public law children cases."


Chambers UK 2023

"Rhys' preparation and drafting is meticulous and his client care is excellent. He always gives clear advice about taking the matter forward."


Chambers UK 2023

"Rhys is a formidable advocate with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law, and an extremely thorough and robust approach. He always goes above and beyond for clients."


Legal 500 2023

"Very strong drafting and advice and excellent communication."


Chambers UK 2022

"Rhys is known for his meticulous preparation and depth of knowledge and will always go the extra mile on a case."


Legal 500 2022

"Thorough, committed and knowledgeable."


Legal 500 2021
Judgment: Pembrokeshire v James

Judgment: Pembrokeshire v James

News | 3 August 2023

Following the recent conclusion of the criminal proceedings arising from the death of Lola James in 2020, Mostyn J has published his judgment in the Family…

Fee Paid Judge Appointments

News | 28 May 2020

We are delighted to announce that David Hughes has been appointed as a Fee Paid Judge of the Employment Tribunal of England and Wales sitting…

View all related news and resources

Background

Portfolio Builder

Select the expertise that you would like to download or add to the portfolio

Download    Add to portfolio   
Portfolio
Title Type CV Email

Remove All

Download


Click here to share this shortlist.
(It will expire after 30 days.)