Meet the Team

Ceri Bater – Director and Solicitor

Ceri Bater is a qualified solicitor, with over 21 years experience in litigation matters. She obtained her 2:1 Honours degree from the University of Wales Cardiff and an LPC distinction from the University of West of England, whilst working as a paralegal at Morgan Cole (now Blake Morgan LLP).

She undertook her training contract with Rickerby Watterson Solicitors in Cheltenham before qualifying with international law firm Eversheds LLP in 2002 where she then remained for 12 years, working as a Senior Associate specialising in insurance claims, financial services dispute resolution and professional negligence.  Ceri managed a team of solicitors and paralegals, acting on behalf of high street banks pursuing negligence and breach of contract claims against other professionals and recovered damages in excess of £4,000,000.  Ceri is experienced in group and bespoke litigation and works with mediators to settle disputes without litigation where possible.

Since leaving Eversheds LLP in 2014 she has built up her own practice locally assisting individual clients, entrepreneurs and SMEs with commercial, employment and litigation matters and is continuing to work alongside these clients and new clients offering a specialist range of services covering:

• Commercial and Civil Dispute Resolution
• Debt Recovery Services
• Financial Services Litigation
• Professional Negligence
• Employment Law

t: 07446 170650
e: [email protected]

John Watkins – Director and Solicitor

Elaine Richardson – Consultant Solicitor

After starting her legal career in 1996, Elaine qualified as a solicitor in 2011 and also is experienced in resolving matters by mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Elaine has over 15 years’ litigation experience, specialising in professional negligence and fraud claims. Prior to joining Bater Law, Elaine worked at global law firm Eversheds Sutherland in the Financial Services Dispute Resolution department working with major financial institutions, assisting in the recovery of millions of pounds in damages. Elaine has regularly worked on large scale group actions which involve complex issues regarding insolvency and insurance coverage.

Elaine can assist you with:

• Professional negligence
• Fraud
• Financial services litigation
• Commercial dispute resolution
• Debt recovery

t: 07823 405668
e: [email protected]

David Bentley-Miller – Solicitor-Advocate

David is a Solicitor-Advocate with Higher Rights. This means that he is authorised to appear in all Courts including the Crown Court to represent the interests of our Clients. He has joined us directly from the Crown Prosecution Service.
Prior to this, David worked in a City practice and as such, has experience of litigation matters including a specialism in neighbour and boundary disputes. He is keen to expand his practice into this area.
He is also a sought after Civil and Commercial Mediator having trained at the London School of Mediation. Since this time he has performed mediations both home and abroad. He is passionate about this form of alternative dispute resolution and always believes that litigation should be the last resort.
Additionally, he has retained his interest in a legal costs practice and as such, can advise on all matters pertaining to legal costs and the costs of litigation and how they can be minimised.

t: 07581 334720
e: [email protected]

Elizabeth Jones – Consultant Solicitor

Elizabeth Jones is a qualified solicitor with over 11 years experience in civil law. She obtained her 2:1 Honours degree from the University of Glamorgan and qualified as a Barrister (non-practising) undertaking her Bar Vocational Course in London. Having practised in London and returning to South Wales, Elizabeth specialises in Private Client Law.

Elizabeth is an expert in a range of Private Client Services. From Will Drafting to Probate and Estate Administration, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection matters. Elizabeth also acts as Professional Deputy and Attorney for clients who require that service. Elizabeth also has a weekly legal show on Radio Cardiff discussing legal matters.

Elizabeth can assist with:

• Wills
• Estate planning
• Probate
• Estate administration
• Lasting Powers of Attorney
• Court of Protection (Deputy, Applications, Statutory Wills)
• Trusts

t: 07894 509020
e: [email protected]

Bethan Southcombe – Consultant Solicitor

Bethan has specialised in employment law since 1999.  She qualified as an employment solicitor in 2006 after studying part time whilst working as a Legal Executive.

Bethan has experience in advising both employers and employees on all aspects of employment.  Bethan has advocacy experience representing both individuals and businesses at Employment Tribunals and she regularly delivers seminars and training sessions.

Bethan has represented a large number of businesses from a wide range of sectors which has given her a wide range of experience and knowledge of different industries.  She has assisted companies with issues involving long term sickness absences, all manners of discrimination, dismissals, advising and assisting with disciplinary and grievance procedures. A number of her clients have a Trade Union presence, and she therefore has experience in dealing with unions as well as dealing with the care sector and the additional safeguarding issues that are entailed.

In addition to advising businesses, Bethan also advises and represents individuals with Settlement Agreements and Employment Tribunals. She has experience in advising individuals on all areas of employment law, including TUPE, unfair dismissal, sex, race and disability discrimination.

t: 07547705507

e: [email protected]

Lucy Richards –  Employment and Litigation Solicitor

Lucy qualified as a solicitor in March 2022 specialising in Employment and Civil Litigation. Prior to qualifying Lucy spent 4 years as a Paralegal specialising in Employment before commencing her training contract in July 2020.

Lucy is experienced in drafting and advising on contracts and settlement agreements as well as dealing with a range of matters from debt recovery, breach of contract, TUPE, unfair dismissal, and discrimination.

Bater Law Ltd work alongside other solicitor firms so that if they cannot assist with your query they have trusted partners who they have worked with for many years and can refer you to them with full confidence that they will look after you.