Rhodri Lewis

Rhodri has over 25 years of experience as a solicitor and is the head of our highly regarded dispute resolution team. A lawyer with a wealth of knowledge across a broad range of commercial, property and probate cases, Rhodri has acted on disputes in specialist Tribunals, County and High Courts all the way up to successful claims in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Rhodri’s particular specialism is advising on commercial and business issues, ranging from claims for breach of contract to business ownership and shareholder disputes.

He has experience of emergency injunctions as well as resolving disputes through the courts, arbitration, mediation and negotiation.

Rhodri also has extensive experience in dealing with property related disputes ranging from rights over land to landlord and tenant and lease disputes. Previous clients include some of the UK’s largest housebuilders and property management companies as well as public and private companies, developers and individuals. He has also acted for landlords and tenants in the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal and Residential Property Tribunal (Wales) in collective freehold purchase and service charge cases.

Alongside his commercial and property work, Rhodri has developed a strong reputation as a contentious probate lawyer. He is an associate member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists and having completed the ACTAPS diploma in 2018 – the leading qualification in the field – he is regularly instructed by beneficiaries and executors to advise on disputes relating to contested wills, trusts and estates.

Rhodri has been praised by the Legal 500 – the industry’s guide to the best firms and lawyers – for his ‘excellent advice’ and ‘additional expertise in contentious probate proceedings’, and clients have commended his “commercial common sense” and ability to cut through the key issues.

  • Acting for a shareholder in a recruitment company in a claim for unfair prejudice of (section 996 Companies Act 2006), settled at £600,000

  • Advising on exit of shareholder from a legal practice, avoiding any litigation for the company

  • Enforcing a legal charge over a property to secure historic business debts

  • Negotiating significant settlement for widow who was disinherited by husband suffering with dementia when he made his last will.

  • Professional negligence claim against solicitor for failing to include necessary rights when purchasing development land

  • Resolving a joint ownership dispute over a farm following death of the life tenant

  • Successful recovery of high-value deferred consideration under two separate share purchase agreements following the sales of care homes

  • Successful recovery of significant damages for breach of contract after a manufacturer wrongly terminated a multi-million-pound contract with its haulier

  • Successful resolution at mediation of an equitable claim over beneficial ownership of a property based on proprietary estoppel

  • Successfully defending allegations of misrepresentation after sale of a valuable residential property

  • Contract, business ownership and shareholder disputes

  • Professional Negligence Claims against Solicitors, Architects and Accountants

  • Land, boundary and property Disputes, including disputes relating to joint ownership of property

  • Probate Disputes and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975

  • Right to Manage and Collective Enfranchisement claims

  • Service charge disputes

  • Disputes relating to commercial leases, including dilapidations and lease renewal.

Experience

  • Partner, Darwin Gray – 2003 – present

  • In-house solicitor, the Peacock Group – 2002 – 2003

  • Solicitor, Morgan Cole – 2001 – 2002

  • Solicitor, Palser Grossman – 1997 – 2001

  • Trainee solicitor, Eversheds – 1995 – 1997

Education

  • Liverpool College

  • University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, Cardiff. BSc (Hons) in Economics

  • Glamorgan University Common Professional Examination in Law

  • Cardiff University Legal Practice Course

  • University of Law – ACTAPS
  • Associate Member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists

I have worked with Darwin Gray for a number of years and the level of service, professionalism and timely response is second to none. I would highly recommend Darwin Gray to any business.”

Becs Beslee
Dice FM Ltd

Darwin Gray have provided us with a first-class service for many years now. They really take the time to understand our business and develop relationships which results in advice and support that is contextualised and effective.”

Rebecca Cooper
ACT Training

We have worked with Darwin Gray for several years and have always found their services and advice to be first class.”

Karen Gale
Stepping Stones Group

An extremely professional and sincere firm who make time for your queries and understand the need to break down certain facts and information to ensure everything is understood perfectly. I would highly recommend the firm to anyone looking for any type of legal advice”

Gwawr Booth
Portal Training Ltd

PSS has worked with Darwin Gray for many years. We have always received an excellent service. Prompt and professional advice and support.”

Ledia Shabani
Property Support Services UK Ltd

Darwin Gray have acted for myself and my company over a number of years and at all times we have been treated with a professional manner yet maintain a common-sense approach at all levels. We couldn’t recommend them more highly.”

Simon Baston
Loft Co

We have been clients of Darwin Gray for many years; they’ve always dealt with all of our legal matters with such professionalism. They work around us, even during awkward hours, and we feel confident we can always rely on them.”

Louise Williams
ACT Training

Darwin Gray has been acting for Siltbuster for more than ten years. We would have no hesitation in recommending Darwin Gray to other organisations small or large.”

Richard D Coulton
Siltbuster Ltd

From the very first conversation, I had no doubt that Darwin Gray should be the firm to receive our instructions on this matter. I would have no hesitation in recommending Darwin Gray.”

Sandra Warr
Tomos TV

We regularly instruct Darwin Gray. Their service in dealing with our transactional matters and disputes is always professional, prompt and efficient.”

John Poppleton
Absolute Property Management Solutions Ltd

Darwin Gray guided me through a long and extended process that would have been much more difficult had it not been for their patience and constant support.”

Ifan Lewis

Excellent and efficient service. Great result achieved, highly professional and transparent on pricing. Would recommend.”

David Stevens

Superb legal service provided. Exceeded expectations. They went above and beyond in order to provide the best service possible.”

Huw Pickrell

Very professional and understanding. They were a calming influence in a very troubling situation and they brought it to a very successful conclusion”

Rachel Jones

We have used Darwin Gray and have been seriously impressed. The personal approach is what Darwin Gray are excelling on and is the reason why we will continue to work with them in the future.”

Cadwyn Housing Association
Darwin Gray Team
Non Kinsey
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Rhodri Lewis
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Siôn Fôn
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