Clear Thinking
Our specialist team iof franchise lawyers is able to assist you in all aspects of taking your business to franchise. With a range of expertise within our firm, we are able to assist in the following areas:
We understand the great opportunity of becoming a franchisee and building up your own business - advice from a franchise lawyer who knows the challenges and how to avoid them is essential. Our dedicated team are able to assist you from start to finish in obtaining your franchise and can assist with the following: -
Darren is a partner specialising in commercial and company law, in particular franchise matters and intellectual property.
With a strong commercial understanding, he is able to assess clients’ businesses as a whole and find innovative solutions to difficult issues. By considering the options available and talking them through with his clients, Darren is known for both problem solving and his ability to move cases forward.
He also has expertise in commercial dispute resolution, working to resolve disagreements in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible.
Under Darren’s leadership of the Franchise Team, Hutchinson Thomas has membership of the accredited British Franchise Association, the main regulator for the UK franchise industry. The Association sets high standards, requiring accreditation for all members, and is known for championing excellence in ethical British franchising.
Darren is recognised by the British Franchise Association as a QFP (Qualified Franchise Professional), having completed the specialist qualification.
Darren has worked with businesses to turn their enterprises into franchises that have been offered across the UK.
He also specialises in intellectual property matters, in particular trademark applications.
When working with clients, he is a hands-on lawyer, providing a personal service and ensuring he is available whenever needed. He builds long-term relationships with his clients, providing stability of service and meaning that he has an in-depth understanding of their businesses and legal needs.
Education
Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, University of Wales, Swansea (LLB); University of the West of England, Bristol (Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice).
Career
Joined Hutchinson Thomas in 2006, became a partner in 2015. Now head of the Franchise Team & Criminal Team.
Other information
Hutchinson Thomas is heavily linked with the children’s hospice Tŷ Hfan, with Darren representing the firm and organising fund-raising events, to include business lunches, golf days and croquet events. With the aim of raising £10,000 per year for the charity, £50,000 has been raised over the past five years. Hutchinson Thomas is a corporate partner of the hospice.
Member of Neath Round Table and Vice Chairman of the Area of Round Tables; Area 43 Chairman as of April 2021.
A Governor of Rhos Primary School.
Past Director of Neath AFC; Management Committee member of Neath Cricket Club.
In any spare time, Darren enjoys spending time with his young family, running and playing golf.
Partner specialising in employment law and contentious trusts and probate.
Simon is regularly involved in disciplinary and regulatory proceedings, particularly in the health care and education sectors (GMC, NMC, GPhC, CCIW)
His published cases include Saunders -v- Garrett [2005] WTLR 749, R v Davies [2002] EWCA Crim 2949 and R v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Davies [2000] The Independent (London), Nov 23, 2000. Khan & Anor v Landsker Child Care Ltd UKEAT/0036/12/DM
He is one of only six Welsh solicitors to have been appointed members of the Association of Contentious Trust & Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). He is also a member of the Employment Law Association and the Association of Disciplinary and Regulatory Lawyers.
Simon sits as a Judicial Officer for the WRU, Guinness Pro 12, EPRC and World Rugby. He was appointed as a Judicial Officer in the Rugby World Cup 2015.
Education
Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School, Neath College, University of Wales, Cardiff (1991 LL.B); College of Law (Guildford); Universite de la Sorbonne, Paris
Career
Trained at Hutchinson Morris & Harrett; qualified 1995; Partner at Hutchinson Morris & Harrett (now Hutchinson Thomas) 1998
Other information
Outside his busy family life, Simon’s interests revolve largely around sport and rugby in particular. He regularly sits as a Judicial Officer in top flight rugby and was one of ten Judicial Officers appointed to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
He has always been actively involved in the community and is a past Chairman and President of Neath Round Table where he was a member for over twenty years.
Roger is a partner at Hutchinson Thomas, head of the corporate and commercial team and a Notary Public.
As well as having extensive corporate experience, he also specialises in complex property matters and sports law.
His advice is pragmatic and he is known for his effective problem solving and practical, hands-on approach. He has exceptional depth of expertise in his specialist areas and a strong understanding of the commercial needs of his clients.
Roger’s clients range from sole traders to large companies and property developers across South Wales. He is trusted and respected by clients and other practitioners alike, receiving regular referrals from professionals in other fields, including accountants and financial advisers.
He represents and advises clients in respect of commercial contract negotiations, shareholder and partnership agreements, company sales and purchases, complicated property cases and sport discipline.
His expertise in property issues means he can act for clients across a transaction involving both commercial and property matters, rather than having to refer them to a different lawyer.
Recent property successes include working for a client in the development of a leisure complex for a holiday village involving planning and difficult legal property matters as well as a complicated sale of industrial units with contentious land issues.
Hutchinson Thomas is one of the few firms in South Wales outside Cardiff to offer notarial services. The firm has two Notaries Public available, including Roger, who are qualified to deal with documents in respect of foreign legal matters, confirming the authenticity of business documents for use overseas, dealing with paperwork for land transactions abroad, arranging for documents to be executed at foreign embassies or apostilled at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and drawing up and witnessing powers of attorney for use overseas.
Roger has also developed the commercial aspect of his practice into the field of sports law. As a World Rugby Judicial and Appeal Officer dealing with discipline and misconduct in Rugby Union, he has been assigned to the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cup. He has also acted in cases for RBS Six Nations, European Professional Rugby, Celtic Pro 12, RFU and WRU and is chair of the Guinness Pro 14 Discipline Committee.
He is recognised for his legal expertise in the Legal 500.
Education
Ystalyfera Grammar School, Swansea Valley; Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, Swansea Valley; Emmanuel College, Cambridge MA (Cantab) History, Law.
Career
Trained at L C Thomas & Son (now Hutchinson Thomas); qualified 1979; Partner at L C Thomas & Son 1979; Notary Public 1985
Clerk to Neath Port Authority
Notary Public
Other information
Roger represents and advises numerous local organisations on a voluntary basis, particularly golf, cricket and rugby clubs.
He is an honorary life member of Neath Cricket Club, a life member of Glamorgan CC and a member of MCC.
He is a former member and chair of Cricket Wales and a golf club trustee.
