About Evans Hayes Burnell

Evans Hayes Burnell was established in April 2017 when senior solicitors, Andrew Evans, Giles Hayes and Steve Burnell realised their ambition of launching a specialist Criminal Defence firm in Swansea.

The firm has grown rapidly in that time and now has offices in Bridgend and Merthyr to allow us to serve a wide geographical area across South Wales.

Our 13-strong team has a passion for offering a comprehensive legal service to our clients at what can often be a challenging time in their lives.

Our People

Andrew Evans - Evans Hayes Burnell Solicitors

Andrew Evans

Director

Andrew is solicitor and Director at Evans Hayes Burnell, specialising in criminal law. He is a Duty Solicitor at police stations across South Wales and he holds Higher Rights of Audience which means he is qualified to represent clients in the higher courts such as Crown Court. Originally a Partner in a previous firm, Andrew qualified as a solicitor in 1992. Now, with over 25 years of criminal law experience including handling Magistrates’ and Crown Court matters, complex and high profile cases, Andrew is a highly respected criminal defence solicitor.

He has a reputation for diligence and tenacity and he remains committed to supporting clients and their families by providing a clear explanation of the law whilst working towards the best possible outcome. Andrew is approachable and empathetic, always aware of what is required at each stage of the criminal justice process so that clients can rely on a criminal defence service when it is needed most.

Andrew can be contacted via email andrewevans@ehblegal.co.uk 

Giles Hayes - Evans Hayes Burnell Solicitors

Giles Hayes

Director

Giles Hayes, has over 20 years’ experience of Criminal Law, having worked extensively across the Magistrates and Crown Courts of South Wales.

Having been educated at Christ College, Giles progressed to Cardiff University where he obtained his degree in law and subsequently a Masters Degree in criminology and criminal justice. Qualifying as a Solicitor in 1998, Giles was previously partner in a local firm, and, as Director at Evans Hayes Burnell Solicitors, he specialises in criminal law.

He has represented a number of high profile clients, and has experience in with dealing with the media. Approachable and reliable, he strives to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients.   

A key member of the Criminal Law Team, Giles is well practised in providing discreet legal advice on matters relating to representation at Police Stations or Court.  He is recommended as a specialist solicitor who has a proven track record of success, achieving excellent results in this area of law.       

Steve Burnell - Evans Hayes Burnell Solicitors

Steve Burnell

Director

Steve is a solicitor and a Director at Evans, Hayes, Burnell Solicitors, working within the Criminal Law team as well as heading up the firm’s Mental Health Department.

Qualifying in 1990, Steve became a Duty Solicitor in 1991, initially practising Criminal Law in Cardiff before joining a local Swansea Firm in 1996; he was appointed a member of the Mental Health Tribunal Panel in 1999.

He now has over 25 years of experience as a Criminal Law solicitor, has Higher Rights of Audience, which means he is qualified to represent clients in the higher courts such as Crown Court, and acts for clients in the Magistrates’ Court.

Steve has extensive criminal law experience and he has dealt with a number of high profile cases including murders, sexual offences and cases involving drugs issues. His knowledge of mental health legal issues is considerable earning him accreditation under the Law Society’s Mental Health Law accreditation scheme.

In the complex and highly specialist area of mental health law, Steve also has experience of representing vulnerable clients who have been unwell and are detained against their will under the Mental Health Act 1983. Sympathetic and understanding, he also works with community-based mental health clients and represents their interests at Mental Health Tribunal hearings and Hospital Managers’ meetings, covering an area that extends from Carmarthen in West Wales across the M4 corridor to Newport Gwent.

Craig Harding - Evans Hayes Burnell Solicitors

Craig Harding

Director

Craig is a qualified solicitor and Director at Evans Hayes Burnell. He specialises in Criminal Law.  He is also a qualified Duty Solicitor, and advises and represents individual clients at Police Stations and Magistrates Courts across South Wales and beyond.

Having gained his Degree, Craig went on to obtain a Distinction in the Legal Practice Course. Craig qualified as a solicitor in February 2011 and, soon after, qualified as a Duty Solicitor. 

Now an experienced Magistrates Court litigator and Police Station Advisor. He undertakes mainly publicly funded legal aid work and is a member of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association.

Craig is often the first contact for clients in need of assistance on matters relating to police station advice and assistance or magistrates court representation for all hearings from plea to trial. Craig will also support our in-house crown court advocates and local barristers in relation to often serious crown court cases. Indeed, Craig has been personally involved in either a leading or supporting role in a number of recent high-profile cases that have achieved local and national coverage. Determined to get the best results for his clients, he is fastidious in his preparation and genuinely cares about providing excellent client care. 

If you have a legal matter of this nature and need advice we recommend that you contact Craig for a confidential, discreet consultation and we guarantee you will be treated with respect and understanding and that he will strive to achieve the best outcome.      

Alex Ferguson - Evans Hayes Burnell Solicitors

Alex Ferguson

Solicitor

Alex is a qualified solicitor with 20 years’ experience in financial crime and asset recovery both in the UK and overseas. He has established and leads the Asset Recovery department at Evans Hayes Burnell.

Alex studied Law and obtained his LPC from Cardiff University in 1997. He trained and qualified as a solicitor with the Department for Health and Social Security, gaining experience in a diverse range of legal areas from personal injury and employment law through to fraud and criminal defence work. He has worked for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Department for Work and Pensions/Department of Health, rising through the ranks from a Crown Prosecutor through to a Unit Head at CPS.

More recently, Alex has established himself as an expert in Asset Recovery. From 2013-2017 he served as Specialist Prosecutor and Asset Recovery Advisor to the Eastern Caribbean. His many achievements included establishing an Asset Recovery Interagency Network in the Caribbean and drafting a model Proceeds of Crime bill for the Eastern Caribbean.

Before joining Evans Hayes Burnell, Alex worked with the Guernsey International Co-operation Asset Recovery Team reviewing cases suitable for asset recovery involving assets held in Guernsey which are linked to unlawful conduct in other jurisdictions.

Alex is a member of the Law Society of England & Wales and the International Association of Prosecutors.

Eve Hayes - Evans Hayes Burnell Solicitors

Eve Hayes

Legal Executive (FILEX)

As a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (FILEx), Eve is a Legal Executive and qualified duty lawyer within the Crime Department. She covers all aspects of Criminal Law, representing clients in the Magistrates Court, Police Stations and file preparation.

Having started her legal career in 1997, her role has significantly progressed since then and she now holds a key role in the Criminal Law Team.  She has been a qualified duty lawyer since 2013 and undertakes mainly publicly funded work.

She has experience of dealing with high profile cases relating to serious offences such as murder, manslaughter and sexual offences and is often the first point of contact for clients in need of assistance in matters relating to police station advice or magistrate court representation.

Eve assists clients on matters relating to police station advice or magistrates court representation for all hearings from plea to trial.  Her keen attention to detail supports her drive to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients; she is a trusted and reliable member of the Crime Department and is considerate and supportive of her clients.

Rachel Mayers - Evans Hayes Burnell Solicitors

Rachel Mayers

Legal Executive (MILEX)

Rachel is a Paralegal and accredited police station representative. Within our Criminal Department, she undertakes police station work; liaising with clients and preparing case files. In addition, she supports the Mental Health Department; dealing with matters empathetically and with utmost discretion.

Rachel is working towards Chartered status within the CILEX accreditation scheme and was delighted to receive the ‘Student of the Year’ award in 2017 in recognition of her efforts and it was particularly noted that she is always keen to assist and support others.  In her day to day work within Evans Hayes Burnell Rachel is always on hand to answer queries or assist our clients.

Efficient and diligent, Rachel is a dependable member of the team who ensures excellent client care!

Amelia Pike - Evans Hayes Burnell Solicitors

Amelia Pike

Solicitor Advocate

Amelia is a Solicitor Advocate within the Criminal Department. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2021 along with the Higher Courts Criminal Advocacy Qualification. Amelia has shown great skill at combining theory while also providing exemplary client service.

She studied Law and is completing the LPC LLM at the University of South Wales. On top of her studies, Amelia achieved a Westlaw award for the highest appellant score for advocacy in the University of South Wales Moot Competition in 2018.

After joining Evans Hayes Burnell in 2018 she gained the Police Station Representatives Accreditation Scheme (PSRAS) qualification and now supports the team by providing advice and assistance to clients at police stations. Amelia takes great pride in her work and is known for her understanding and empathetic nature.

India Beavan - Evans Hayes Burnell Solicitors

India Beavan

Trainee Solicitor

India is a Paralegal with more than five years’ experience in legal roles. She works within the Criminal Department supporting the team through liaising with clients and preparing case files. She is a fully accredited Police Station Representative which allows her to provide advice and assistance at police stations on Legal Aid cases.

Originally from Shrewsbury, India studied Law at Swansea University. After obtaining her Degree, she began her legal career as an Appeals and Litigation Manager for a security services company before joining a Llanelli-based solicitors practice as a Civil Litigation Paralegal.

India has a broad range of skills and is adept at dealing with clients in an approachable and friendly manner. She has recently completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Advanced Drafting LLM at Swansea University.

Need help? Call our team on 01792 940780

We are a specialist legal firm offering all aspects of criminal defence, mental health law and asset recovery work. The firm is led by a senior team boasting decades of experience.

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