Nathan Jones

Practice Overview

Nathan is a highly experienced practitioner who prides himself on leaving no stone unturned in case preparation and delivering exceptional advocacy and service.  

In addition to practicing at the Bar; Nathan is a Family Law and Advocacy and Communication Skills trainer for Kaplan Altior, a leading provider of legal skills and assessment across England and Wales. Nathan therefore has an exceptional knowledge of the law and procedure.

Nathan is acutely aware of the provision of a modern legal service and focuses on getting to the pertinent issues in a case thus helping to prevent clients unnecessarily spending money pursuing collateral issues.

Clients find Nathan approachable as he goes the extra mile to make as client feels at ease.

He is often asked by the BBC to provide legal commentary and analysis and has appeared on BBC Radio Wales.

Nathan regularly accepts instructions from clients on a direct access basis. 

Notable and Reported cases

• K and O (Children) [2018] EWHC 1455 (Fam)
• GM v Carmarthenshire County Council & Anor [2018] EWFC 36
• Re C [2015]

  Represented the Local Authority in an application for a Care Order before Sir Mark Hedley (formerly Mr Justice Hedley).  

  The child subject to the application was an extremely vulnerable fourteen year old girl who had experienced multiple placement breakdowns. The matter was contested and Sir Mark Hedley was required to hear submissions in respect of the parameters of section 31A of the Children Act 1989 and the extent to which the Court could interfere with the autonomy and the Looked After Children process of the Local Authority. 

• Re LD v JD [2013] EWHC 3632 Fam.

  Contested committal proceedings and sentencing for breach of an undertaking given in family proceedings.

• Re M [2010] EWHC 2846 (Fam)

  Represented birth mother an 'exceptionally unusual' case before Mr Justice Mostyn in the High Court Family Division in relation to a birth parents application to have contact with a biological child, previously subject to a closed adoption. 

• Other
  • Advised the Football Association of Wales in respect of safeguarding policies, player welfare policies and compliance. 
  • Acted for a Premier League football club in relation to a dispute with a football agent;
  • Advised an elite athlete in relation to selection for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games;
  • Advised a Welsh Rugby Union player in respect of violations of UKAD Anti-Doping Rules and was successful in arguing that the two year suspension imposed should be reduced to six months. 
  • Successfully represented Principality Premiership club Merthyr Rugby Football Club  before the Welsh Rugby Union disciplinary appeal panel in respect of alleged breaches of the Payment to Player Regulations;
  • Successfully negotiated a settlement in respect of a Welsh Rugby Union players transfer. 

• Cohabitee & Matrimonial Finance

  Nathan has an established practice in financial remedy following relationship breakdown. He also regularly deals with cases in respect of the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. 

• Family & Child Care

  Nathan has an extensive Family Law practice with a particular emphasis on Public Law. He frequently represents Local Authorities in care proceedings in The Family Court. Nathan also has considerable experience of representing parents and the Children’s Guardian at final hearing in relation to cases of neglect, sexual abuse and non accidental injury. Recently Nathan has acted for a parent in relation to allegations of serious non accidental injury, including sub-dural haemorrhages, multiple retinal haemorrhages and fractured ribs.

  Nathan undertakes all section 8 applications and applications under the Family Law Act 1996.

• Public Access

  Nathan is public access / direct access qualified, thus making him able to accept instructions directly from members of the public in appropriate cases. 

• Sports Law

  Nathan is one of the leading sports law practitioners in Wales. He offers specialist legal advice and representation to those involved in professional and amateur sports. Nathan is the Chairman of the Football Association of Wales Disciplinary Appeals Panel until 2019. He is also a member of the Football of Wales National Safeguarding Panel and has been appointed to the Sport Resolutions Panel until 31st March 2024 to sit on cases in respect of professional football, integrity and discipline and Paralympic and disability.

  Nathan is able to advise and represent individuals, professional bodies and clubs in the following areas:

  • Anti doping tribunals
  • Selection appeals
  • Club / governing body disputes
  • Manager / governing body disputes
  • Player / governing body disputes
  • Safeguarding / welfare issues
  • Disciplinary proceedings
  • Contractual disputes
  • Image rights
• Appointments
  • Sport Resolutions' Panel of Arbitrators and Mediators
  • Sport Resolutions Panel – Legal Arbitrator
  • Football Association of Wales National Safeguarding Panel – Vice Chairman
  • Football Association of Wales Disciplinary Appeals Panel - Chairman
  • Pupil Supervisor
• Career

  Nathan has previously worked as a lecturer in law at the University of South Wales (2014) and is a freelance trainer for Kaplan Altior. 

• Education & Qualification
  • University of Bristol LLB Law (Hons) 2004 - 2007
  • Cardiff University Bar Vocational Course 2006 - 2008
• Related Publications

  Has the time come for the Football Association to implement misconduct guidelines in relation to offences committed on the field of play? (June 2013)

• Recommendations

  • Nathan Jones has significant experience in public law children cases. He regularly deals with cases of neglect, sexual abuse and non-accidental injury. He is additionally able to act in TOLATA cases. "Nathan is very knowledgeable, puts clients at ease and is a force to be reckoned with. He is thorough in his preparation and quick on his feet." "He is very good with clients and is excellent at getting to the core of the issue." (Chambers & Partners 2024, Family: Children)

  • ‘He is an extremely polished advocate who prepares meticulously, with a great analytical mind and the ear of the court. He is a first class performer handling the most complex of cases and is second-to-none with matters of medical evidence, which makes him a formidable force when cross-examining medical professionals. An advocate who is at silk level and experienced beyond his year of call.’ (Legal 500, 2024 - Family: Children & Domestic Violence)
  • A junior who is experienced beyond his year of call. Nathan is a very persuasive and accomplished advocate, and is extremely thorough in his preparation and attention to detail in cases. An excellent cross-examiner.’(Legal 500, 2023)
  • ‘ Nathan is extremely knowledgeable, he is so approachable and friendly. He is thorough and an excellent advocate. ’ (Legal 500, 2022)
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