NORTH WALES LAW CENTRE - Key Persons
Acton Afonso: Acton is a trainee solicitor at JW Hughes and Co, based in their Llandudno office. He is currently in his second year, doing a seat in the family law team. His usual work involves divorce proceedings, applications under the Children Act 1989 and domestic abuse matters. He does advice and work on legal aid as well. In his spare time, he enjoys playing football, watching TV and going for walks along the beach.
Annie Bannister: Annie has already had a successful career in marketing and has now completed her Legal Practice Course and is part way through her qualifying employment to become a solicitor. Since 2018 she has worked as an inception caseworker at a personal injury law firm where the majority of her cases are prisoners. She has a particular interest in justice against modern slavery, having worked with a European anti trafficking network (RENATE) since 2012 and now sits on their Legal Task Group and more recently at Hope for Justice supporting their advocacy and policy team.
Crash Wigley (chair): Crash is a pupil barrister at Civitas and a former co-chair of Young Legal Aid Lawyers where they continue to co-ordinate the work of YLAL Cymru. While studying, Crash volunteered at Liberty's Advice and Information Service. Prior to studying law, Crash worked as Stonewall Cymru's Policy and Campaigns Officer, and they direct the Cardiff Trans Singers, a choir for trans people. Crash is a Welsh speaker.
Daniel Scrase: Daniel grew up in Bangor and worked for 12 years in the third-sector in north Wales, specialising in mental health and wellbeing. He brings experience of managing large volunteer teams for both the Royal Voluntary Service and Cruse Bereavement Support. He believes wholeheartedly in the value of volunteers, especially important when creating innovative services to support people facing difficulty. He is currently studying for a Masters in Law and Legal Practice at BPP University and volunteers for the Vauxhall Law Centre in their debt advice team. Outside of work he enjoys meditation and weight lifting, but not always at the same time.
Deborah Wilkins (treasurer): Debbie has spent 20 years working in the financial services sector, 10 years working for Careers Wales in both an advisory and research capacity. She has been a director and founder of a community interest company and has been involved in various community associations. She currently works in the third sector for WCVA, the national membership body for voluntary organisations in Wales and specifically works in European funding.
Dr Daniel Newman: Dan is a Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University and has been at the School of Law and Politics since 2015. His research focuses on access to justice. His projects have included looking at the impact of austerity on the advice sector, exploring how criminal legal aid cuts effect the lawyer-client relationship under criminal legal aid and considering how rural areas are damaged by reduced spending on justice. He is the author of Legal Aid Lawyers and the Quest for Justice.
Jabez Oakes: Jabez has lived in North Wales for over 15 years. He has a law degree from Chester University and is training to be a barrister. He sits as a town councillor in Ruthin, Denbighshire. He has worked previously in the third sector for several years as a Social Security Tribunals Caseworker. He volunteers in his local community and the wider region through Ruthin Town Council, encouraging engagement at a grassroots level.
: Katherine joins us with a background in project development in the third sector, having worked in local and national organisations in Norfolk, London, and north Wales. Katherine's experience in research and community engagement will help North Wales Law Centre Steering Group to build strong and meaningful relationships with stakeholders and local communities, gather more evidence.
Matthew Court: Matthew is a lawyer who joined Public Law Project's casework team in 2020. Since January 2021, Matthew is leading on PLP's work in Wales and has been working collaboratively with PLP's Welsh partners to improve access to public law remedies for people in Wales. Before coming to Public Law Project, Matthew worked as a solicitor at GT Stewart Solicitors, where he acted for a wide range of clients including migrants, looked after children and care leavers. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Matthew worked for over 10 years in the charity sector supporting refugees and asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of North Wales
Ron Davison: Ron is the Managing Director of North Wales' largest law firm, Gamlins Law. He is a passionate advocate in the realms of social justice. Ron qualified as a Solicitor in 2003. His legal practice covers the common law, with a particular emphasis on employment matters. Ron also has an extensive Commercial Litigation practice and has represented numerous companies in the High Court. Outside of the office Ron is an avid follower of rugby, having been forced to hang-up his boots many years ago. Ron was President of the Cheshire and North Wales Law Society in 2017 and also holds a number of non-executive Director roles.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive of Legal Action Group
Sue James: Sue is Chief Executive of Legal Action Group (LAG). Prior to joining LAG she was director and solicitor of Hammersmith & Fulham Law Centre and a founding trustee of Ealing Law Centre. She has been a housing lawyer for 30 years. In 2017 she won the outstanding achievement award at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards. She is a respected legal author and co-editor of Housing Possession Duty Desk, and co-editor of Justice Matters and the Legal Aid Handbook. She also writes and campaigns on access to justice issues.
Job Titles:
- Director of the Speakeasy Law Centre
Warren Palmer: Warren is director of the Speakeasy Law Centre in Cardiff (currently Wales' only law centre). He has been a solicitor specialising in welfare benefits work for 20 years and, in the 2003 Welsh Law Awards, he was named Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year.