The Law Society Wales Office - Cymdeithas y Cyfreithwyr

The Law Society Wales Office - Cymdeithas y Cyfreithwyr Working to represent, promote and support solicitors in Wales as part of the Law Society 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Clive Thomas joins us on the Welsh Legal Desk | Mae Clive Thomas yn ymuno â ni ar Welsh Legal Desk🎙️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿With more tha...
08/06/2026

Clive Thomas joins us on the Welsh Legal Desk | Mae Clive Thomas yn ymuno â ni ar Welsh Legal Desk🎙️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

With more than 35 years’ experience, he’s managing director at Watkins & Gunn Solicitors and chairs the National Board for Wales’ Managing Partners Subgroup.

He’s been meeting with firm leaders across Wales to understand how these pressures are shaping practice. From recruitment and retention to the rise of AI, firms are under pressure to adapt.

“We hear directly from managing partners and can make decisions that have a real impact. When you bring firm leaders together, they have so much in common and so much to talk about.”

People, technology and regulation: managing partners across Wales are facing the same challenges.

Hear the full conversation on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Links in the comments ⬇️

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Gyda 35 mlynedd a mwy o brofiad, mae'n rheolwr gyfarwyddwr yn Watkins & Gunn Solicitors ac yn cadeirio Is-grŵp Partneriaid Rheoli Bwrdd Cenedlaethol Cymru.

Mae wedi bod yn cwrdd ag arweinwyr cwmnïau ledled Cymru i ddeall sut mae'r pwysau hwn yn llywio ymarfer. O recriwtio a chadw gweithwyr i gynnydd deallusrwydd artiffisial, mae cwmnïau dan bwysau i addasu.

"Rydyn ni'n clywed yn uniongyrchol gan bartneriaid rheoli a gallwn wneud penderfyniadau sy'n cael effaith wirioneddol. Pan fyddwch chi'n dod ag arweinwyr cwmnïau at ei gilydd, mae ganddyn nhw gymaint yn gyffredin a chymaint i siarad amdano."

Pobl, technoleg a rheoleiddio: mae partneriaid rheoli ledled Cymru yn wynebu'r un heriau.

Gwrandewch ar y sgwrs lawn ar Spotify ac Apple Podcasts. Dolenni yn y sylwadau ⬇️

03/06/2026

‘I’m building my career through an apprenticeship – people in Wales should have the same opportunities’

After completing an LLB at Cardiff University, 26-year-old Daniel Onafuwa chose a different route to qualify as a solicitor: a Level 7 graduate solicitor apprenticeship.

Now completing his apprenticeship with Michelmores in Bristol, Daniel is on track to qualify next year.

But in Wales, fully funded Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships are not available.

Daniel explains how it is allowing him to qualify while earning, and why people in Wales should have the same opportunity.

We welcomed Plaid Cymru’s manifesto commitment to introduce Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships and are now calling on the Welsh Government to set out detailed plans for delivering a fully funded programme in Wales.

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‘Dwi'n meithrin fy ngyrfa trwy wneud prentisiaeth – dylai pobl yng Nghymru gael yr un cyfleoedd’

Ar ôl cwblhau cwrs LLB ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd, penderfynodd Daniel Onafuwa, 26 oed, ddilyn trywydd gwahanol i fod yn gyfreithiwr: gradd-brentisiaeth cyfreithiol Lefel 7.

Mae Daniel yn bwrw’i brentisiaeth gyda chwmni Michelmores ym Mryste ar hyn o bryd, ac ar y trywydd iawn i gymhwyso y flwyddyn nesaf.

Ond yng Nghymru, does dim prentisiaethau cyfreithiol Lefel 7 wedi'u hariannu'n llawn ar gael.

Mae Daniel yn esbonio sut mae'n caniatáu iddo gymhwyso gan ennill cyflog ar yr un pryd, a pham y dylai pobl yng Nghymru gael yr un cyfle.

Roedden ni'n croesawu ymrwymiad maniffesto Plaid Cymru i gyflwyno prentisiaethau cyfreithiol Lefel 7 ac rydyn ni’n galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i nodi cynlluniau manwl ar gyfer cyflwyno rhaglen wedi'i hariannu'n llawn yma yng Nghymru.

🔗https://ow.ly/TtMm50Z72aH

01/06/2026

Clive Thomas is managing director at Watkins and Gunn Solicitors and has more than 35 years’ experience in the legal profession 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿⚖️

A personal injury specialist, he represents individuals following serious accidents, helping clients rebuild their lives.

Clive joined the National Board for Wales when it was established in 2022. He is also chair of the Managing Partners Subgroup, bringing together firm leaders from across Wales to share insight and support the profession.

He joined the board to contribute beyond his own firm and help shape future policy based on his experience in practice. He said: “I’ve always had a real interest in helping the profession and shaping future policy. The board is focused and dynamic, and we all feel like we’re making a difference.”

Clive is also a Law Society Council Member, representing south Wales.

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Mae Clive Thomas yn rheolwr gyfarwyddwr yn Watkins and Gunn Solicitors ac mae ganddo 35 mlynedd a mwy o brofiad ym mhroffesiwn y gyfraith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿⚖️

Yn arbenigwr ym maes anafiadau personol, mae'n cynrychioli unigolion yn dilyn damweiniau difrifol, gan helpu cleientiaid i ailadeiladu eu bywydau.

Ymunodd Clive â Bwrdd Cenedlaethol Cymru pan gafodd ei sefydlu yn 2022. Mae hefyd yn gadeirydd yr Is-grŵp Partneriaid Rheoli, sy'n dod ag arweinwyr cwmnïau o bob cwr o Gymru at ei gilydd i rannu mewnwelediad a chefnogi'r proffesiwn.

Ymunodd â'r bwrdd i gyfrannu y tu hwnt i'w gwmni ei hun gan helpu i lunio polisi yn y dyfodol yn seiliedig ar ei brofiad yn ymarferol. Meddai: "Rydw i bob amser wedi bod â gwir ddiddordeb mewn helpu'r proffesiwn a llunio polisi i’r dyfodol. Mae gan y bwrdd ffocws clir ac mae’n ddeinamig, ac rydyn ni i gyd yn teimlo ein bod ni'n gwneud gwahaniaeth."

Mae Clive hefyd yn Aelod o Gyngor Cymdeithas y Cyfreithwyr, ac yn cynrychioli de Cymru.

We’re delighted to be taking part in Pride Cymru 2026 and would love for you to join us 🏳️‍🌈On Saturday 13 June, we’ll b...
22/05/2026

We’re delighted to be taking part in Pride Cymru 2026 and would love for you to join us 🏳️‍🌈

On Saturday 13 June, we’ll be marching together through Cardiff to send a clear message that the legal profession welcomes and supports everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.

Whether it’s your first time or you’ve joined us before, everyone is welcome.

The day will include:

• A pre-parade brunch
• The Pride parade
• A post-parade social

Register here / Cofrestrwch yma: https://ow.ly/XYx250Z356q

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Rydym ni wrth ein bodd i gymryd rhan yn Pride Cymru 2026 a byddem wrth ein bodd pe baech yn ymuno â ni 🏳️‍🌈

Dydd Sadwrn 13 Mehefin, byddwn yn gorymdeithio gyda’n gilydd trwy Caerdydd i anfon neges glir fod y proffesiwn cyfreithiol yn croesawu ac yn cefnogi pawb yn y gymuned LHDTC+.

P’un ai mai dyma’ch tro cyntaf neu eich bod wedi ymuno â ni o’r blaen, mae croeso i bawb.

Bydd y diwrnod yn cynnwys:

• Brunch cyn yr orymdaith
• Gorymdaith Pride
• Cymdeithasu ar ôl yr orymdaith

Hoffem longyfarch Plaid Cymru ar eu llwyddiant yn etholiad y Senedd / We would like to congratulate Plaid Cymru on their...
12/05/2026

Hoffem longyfarch Plaid Cymru ar eu llwyddiant yn etholiad y Senedd / We would like to congratulate Plaid Cymru on their success in the Senedd election 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

This marks a new chapter for Wales, and we look forward to working with the new Welsh Government to strengthen our justice system and improve access to justice.

The Welsh Government must prioritise action to support a sustainable legal sector and ensure future justice policy in Wales is coherent, accessible and aligned with Welsh priorities.

We fully supported Plaid Cymru’s commitment to introduce Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships in their manifesto. We look forward to working together to ensure young people in Wales have the same opportunities as their counterparts across the border.
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Mae hyn yn nodi pennod newydd i Gymru. Rydyn ni’n edrychwn ymlaen i weithio gyda Llywodraeth newydd Cymru i gryfhau ein system gyfiawnder a gwella mynediad at gyfiawnder.

Rhaid i Lywodraeth newydd Cymru flaenoriaethu cymryd camau i gefnogi sector cyfreithiol cynaliadwy a sicrhau bod polisi cyfiawnder yng Nghymru yn y dyfodol yn gydlynol, yn hygyrch ac yn cyd-fynd â blaenoriaethau Cymru.

Roeddem yn cefnogi'n llawn ymrwymiad Plaid Cymru yn eu maniffesto i gyflwyno prentisiaethau cyfreithwyr. Edrychwn ymlaen at weithio gyda'n gilydd i sicrhau bod pobl ifanc yng Nghymru yn cael yr un cyfleoedd â'u cymheiriaid ar draws y ffin.

📷 Plaid Cymru

Da iawn pawb 👏🏃It was fantastic to join the LegalRunner Barrybados 5K fun run last week, organised by Clive Thomas in su...
05/05/2026

Da iawn pawb 👏🏃

It was fantastic to join the LegalRunner Barrybados 5K fun run last week, organised by Clive Thomas in support of LawCare.

Travelling together on Dave’s Coaches, with a few Gavin & Stacey stops along the way, it was great to see solicitors and colleagues from across Wales come together for such a positive event.

On 1 May, key provisions of the Renters’ Rights Act came into force in England.While most do not apply in Wales, some wi...
05/05/2026

On 1 May, key provisions of the Renters’ Rights Act came into force in England.

While most do not apply in Wales, some will, including measures to tackle discrimination against people who receive benefits and families with children.

These provisions are expected to come into force in Wales on 1 June. Existing provisions under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act will continue to apply.

More information: https://ow.ly/jFuR50YTbsv
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Ar 1 Mai, daeth darpariaethau allweddol Deddf Hawliau Rhentwyr i rym yn Lloegr.

Er na fydd y mwyafrif ar waith yng Nghymru, bydd rhai, gan gynnwys mesurau i fynd i'r afael â gwahaniaethu yn erbyn pobl sy'n hawlio budd-daliadau a theuluoedd â phlant.

Disgwylir i'r darpariaethau hyn ddod i rym yng Nghymru ar 1 Mehefin. Bydd darpariaethau presennol o dan Ddeddf Rhentu Cartrefi (Cymru) yn parhau i fod yn berthnasol.

National Board for Wales | Bwrdd Cenedlaethol Cymru: Hannah Newberry 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿Hannah is a director and solicitor at Alun J...
01/05/2026

National Board for Wales | Bwrdd Cenedlaethol Cymru: Hannah Newberry 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Hannah is a director and solicitor at Alun Jones Family Law. She has exclusively practised family law since 2020 and qualified as a solicitor in 2022, having completed the LLM LPC at Cardiff University.

Hannah joined the National Board for Wales in September 2024 and is co-chair of the Pathways Subgroup, an early-career focused group capturing insight from students and junior lawyers.

She is also the former chair and current law society officer of Cardiff and SE Wales JLD, and professional development officer with the Cardiff and District Law Society.

Hannah said: “I joined the National Board for Wales to bring the views of junior lawyers into the conversation and improve meaningful communication across different levels of seniority.

"It was important to me to support a profession that is becoming more inclusive and representative, particularly as we navigate pressures like technology, AI, student debt and the wider economic climate where experiences can widely vary."

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Mae Hannah yn gyfarwyddwr ac yn gyfreithiwr yn Alun Jones Family Law. Mae hi wedi ymarfer cyfraith teulu yn unig ers 2020 a chymhwysodd fel cyfreithiwr yn 2022, ar ôl cwblhau'r LLM LPC ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd.

Ymunodd Hannah â Bwrdd Cenedlaethol Cymru ym mis Medi 2024 ac mae'n gyd-gadeirydd Is-grŵp Llwybrau, grŵp sy'n canolbwyntio ar yrfa gynnar sy'n casglu mewnwelediad gan fyfyrwyr a chyfreithwyr iau.

Mae Hannah hefyd y cyn-gadeirydd a swyddog presennol cymdeithas y gyfraith JLD Caerdydd a De-ddwyrain Cymru, a swyddog datblygu proffesiynol gyda Chymdeithas y Gyfraith Caerdydd a'r Cylch.

Dywedodd Hannah: “Ymunais â Bwrdd Cenedlaethol Cymru i ddod â barn cyfreithwyr iau i'r sgwrs a gwella cyfathrebu ar draws gwahanol lefelau o uwch swydd.

"Mae hefyd yn bwysig i mi gefnogi proffesiwn sy'n dod yn fwy cynhwysol a chynrychioliadol, yn enwedig wrth i ni lywio pwysau fel technoleg, AI, dyled myfyrwyr a'r hinsawdd economaidd ehangach.”

Ahead of the Senedd election on 7 May, we’ve been working with members, stakeholders and partners across Wales to shape ...
09/04/2026

Ahead of the Senedd election on 7 May, we’ve been working with members, stakeholders and partners across Wales to shape our priorities for the next Welsh Government.

We are calling on the next Welsh Government to deliver:

🧑‍🎓 A fully funded Legal Level 7 Apprenticeship programme, matching the offer available in England

⚖️ A Department of Justice within the Welsh Government

Wales has a strong and trusted legal profession, and our priorities are achievable and would make a meaningful difference.

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Cyn etholiad y Senedd ar 7 Mai, rydyn ni wedi bod yn gweithio gydag aelodau, rhanddeiliaid a phartneriaid ledled Cymru i lunio ein blaenoriaethau ar gyfer Llywodraeth nesaf Cymru.

Rydyn ni’n galw ar Lywodraeth nesaf Cymru i gyflawni'r canlynol:

🧑‍🎓 Rhaglen Brentisiaethau Cyfreithiol Lefel 7 a ariennir yn llawn, sy'n cyfateb i'r cynnig sydd ar gael yn Lloegr

⚖️ Adran Gyfiawnder o fewn Llywodraeth Cymru

Mae gan Gymru broffesiwn cyfreithiol cryf a dibynadwy, Mae ein blaenoriaethau yn gyraeddadwy a byddent yn gwneud gwahaniaeth go iawn.

What does the legal system in Wales look like today and where is it heading? In our State of the Nation episode of the W...
07/04/2026

What does the legal system in Wales look like today and where is it heading?

In our State of the Nation episode of the Welsh Legal Desk, we bring together perspectives from across the profession 🎙️

Jonathan Davies, David McNeill and Mark Davies discuss:

• the pressure facing the courts
• access to justice
• devolution and the future of Welsh law

From the reality on the ground to the longer-term challenges, the conversations reflect both the scale of the issues and the opportunities to strengthen the system.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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Sut olwg sydd ar y system gyfreithiol yng Nghymru heddiw a ble mae’n mynd?

Mae’r pennod State of the Nation’ o'r Welsh Legal Desk yn dod â safbwyntiau o bob rhan o’r proffesiwn ynghyd 🎙️

Mae Jonathan Davies, David McNeill a Mark Davies yn trafod:

• y pwysau sy’n wynebu’r llysoedd
• mynediad at gyfiawnder
• datganoli a dyfodol cyfraith Cymru

O realiti’r sefyllfa o ddydd i ddydd i’r heriau tymor hir, mae’r trafodaethau’n adlewyrchu maint y problemau a’r cyfleoedd i gryfhau’r system.

🎧 Gwrandewch nawr ar Spotify ac Apple Podcasts.

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