Huw is the head of our public sector practice and Vice-Chairman of the firm. He read Jurisprudence at Jesus College Oxford. After training with a leading Cardiff firm, Huw worked for the Mid Glamorgan County Council for nine years before joining Geldards in 1987.

During this time Huw, developed his knowledge of planning and environmental law as well as local government law. In recent years Huw’s areas of practice have widened and now include public procurement law and advising on state aid. Huw also oversees the firm’s charity law practice.

Initially, after joining Geldards, the main focus of Huw’s work for many years was the regeneration of Cardiff Bay, leading teams advising on such major projects as the Cardiff Bay Barrage and the Wales Millennium Centre.

He has also brought his planning and compulsory purchase law skills to bear in advising on other major regeneration and infrastructure projects in Wales and the Midlands, such as the Markham Vale scheme alongside the M1 motorway in Derbyshire and in 2010, securing confirmation on behalf of the local authority of compulsory purchase powers and related highway orders for new access roads to the Wrexham Industrial Estate

Since 1997, Huw has taken particular interest in the development of devolved government in Wales. He has given evidence on several occasions to various committees, both in Cardiff Bay and at Westminster, on devolution issues and was one of the founders of the Wales Public Law and Human Rights Association.

Huw is the relationship partner for most of our public sector clients, including the Welsh Assembly Government. He is well placed to advise clients, both public and private, who require advice based on a deep understanding of the public sector and its ethos.

Huw is Company Secretary of the Wales Millennium Centre, a member of the Law Society’s Planning and Environment Law, and Wales Committees and a Trustee of the National Library of Wales. Between 2002 and 2010 Huw was a Trustee of the National Museum of Wales and remains an independent member of the Audit Committee.

"Huw Williams is head of the public law team. He is well known in the market for his public sector planning and CPO work."
(Local Government (UK wide), Chambers & Partners Directory 2012)

"Huw Williams is described by sources as a "detailed and measured lawyer." Interviewees instantly recognise him for his compulsory purchase expertise."
(Planning, Chambers & Partners Directory 2012)

"Geldards LLP’s Huw Williams has significant public sector expertise, and has been advising Welsh ministers and local authorities on s106 agreements, including one relating to a proposed site for a Swansea University campus."
(Legal 500 Directory 2010)