Welsh Government names 36-strong panel of counsel

Three panels have been appointed following a competition:

• one consisting of King’s Counsel
• a second panel consisting of Junior Counsel with more than 10 years’ advocacy experience (Junior Counsel A Panel), and
• a third panel comprising Junior Counsel with fewer than 10 years’ advocacy experience (Junior Counsel B Panel).

“The panels of Junior Counsel are divided into broad subject categories, with the overall size and complexion of each panel being determined by need,” the Welsh Government said.

Panel appointments will be for a period of five years, with effect from 1 February 2026.

Julie James said: “I am very pleased to announce these appointments. The competition attracted interest from more than 85 practitioners. I have been particularly encouraged by the level of interest shown and by the quality of the applications received.

“I know that the very experienced and talented Counsel who have been successful in being appointed to the Panel will give the Welsh Government access to an independent pool of considerable legal expertise across a wide range of Welsh Government activities.

“Having this proven capability to carry out advocacy and advisory work is critical to ensuring that the Welsh Government has the best independent legal advice available to it at all times.”

Welsh Government Panel Counsel Appointments 1 February 2026

(Names appear in alphabetical order)

Panel of King’s Counsel

• Tim Buley KC (Landmark Chambers)
• Joanne Clement KC (11 King’s Bench Walk)
• Timothy Corner KC (Landmark Chambers)
• Douglas Edwards KC (Francis Taylor Building)
• Gregory Jones KC (Francis Taylor Building)
• Andrew Kinnier KC (Henderson Chambers)
• Gwion Lewis KC (Landmark Chambers)
• Jonathan Moffett KC (11KBW)
• George Peretz KC (Monckton Chambers)
• Ian Rogers KC (Monckton Chambers)
• Emma Sutton KC (Serjeants' Inn Chambers)
• Rhodri Williams KC (Keating Chambers)

Junior Counsel A Panel

• Hannah Curtain (Henderson Chambers)
• Rhys Davies (9 Park Place Chambers)
• Joseph Edwards (9 Park Place Chambers)
• Heather Emmerson (11KBW)
• David Gardner (No 5 Chambers)
• Nia Gowman (30 Park Place Chambers)
• Rebecca Griffiths (Apex Chambers)
• Christian Howells (Thirty Park Place Chambers)
• Owain Rhys James (Civitas Law)
• John Jolliffe (Francis Taylor Building)
• Clare Parry (Cornerstone Barristers)
• Annabel Graham Paul (Francis Taylor Building)
• Sarah Salmon (Cornerstone Barristers)
• Heather Sargent (Landmark Chambers)
• Anthony Vines (Civitas Law)
• Cerys Walters (9 Park Place Chambers)

Junior Counsel B Panel

• Alastair Cantor (Cornerstone Barristers)
• Sioned Davies (No 5 Chambers)
• Robert Goodwin (9 Park Place Chambers)
• Lewis Harrison (30 Park Place Chambers)
• Thomas Jones (DEKA Chambers)
• Gareth Rhys (1 Crown Office Row)
• Laura Shepherd (30 Park Place Chambers)
• Gethin Thomas (39 Essex Street Chambers)