Meet the Team

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

John has extensive experience in resolving commercial disputes, having worked at one of the world’s leading international law firms. He has represented a wide range of clients from multi-national investment banks and Premier League football clubs to small businesses and individuals.

He always focuses on obtaining the best commercial outcome for his clients and often achieves this through early negotiation or mediation. Sometimes disputes require a determination by a court and he has represented clients in the County Court, High Court (Administrative, Queen’s Bench and Chancery Divisions), Court of Appeal and the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Recommended Lawyer in the Legal 500: “A ‘very capable litigator’, the ‘technically accomplished’ Watkins is noted for his ‘particular strength at handling professional negligence cases’.

John can assist with:

Asset tracing
Banking disputes
Company, Director, Shareholder and Partnership disputes
Competition
Contractual disputes
Debt Recovery
Defamation
Fraud
Injunctions especially Freezing Orders but also Search Orders and other commercial injunctions
Judicial Review
Professional negligence
Property disputes

Kelly-Marie graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in Law in 2003 and went on to qualify as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2010.

Kelly-Marie is also a Probate Practitioner and an Accredited Lifetime Lawyer.

Kelly-Marie specialises in Wills, Probate, Administration of Estates and Powers of Attorney and has over 20 years experience in private client matters.

Kelly-Marie was a partner in McGill Brown Solicitors for 13 years until she joined Bater Watkins Brown as a director in 2024.

Kelly-Marie can assist you with:

Wills & Codicils
Estate Planning
Probate & Administration of Estates
Lasting Powers of Attorney

Elaine Richardson is a highly experienced solicitor with nearly 30 years in the legal profession, qualifying as a solicitor in 2011. Her core practice area is civil litigation, and she has built a strong and versatile skill set covering contract disputes, debt recovery, personal injury, boundary disputes, and contested probate matters. Elaine has a practical, down-to-earth approach, is a clear communicator which enables her to guide clients effectively through complex disputes with confidence and clarity.

For 17 years, Elaine worked at global law firm Eversheds Sutherland, where she played a key role in the Financial Services Dispute Resolution and Professional Negligence team. During this time, she worked closely with major financial institutions, contributing to the recovery of millions of pounds in damages. Elaine brings both depth of expertise and a warm, steady presence to her work, combining high-level technical skills with a people-focused style that clients trust.

Jo is a Law graduate and a Consultant Solicitor.

Throughout her career Jo has specialised in all aspects of Will preparation including advising in relation to Will Trusts and Inheritance Tax Planning; Probate and the Administration of Estates; Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection work. Jo worked for several years as a Solicitor in London and then Yorkshire before relocating to Cardiff.

Jo worked as a Lecturer at Cardiff Law School, teaching Wills, Probate and Administration as part of the Cardiff Professional Legal Studies team and was also Course Leader and Lecturer of the undergraduate module Succession Law.

Jo is accredited by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers which evidences that she has proven expertise and specialist skills in advising older and vulnerable clients on complex issues like Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate, demonstrating empathy and tailored communication.

Jo can assist with:

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

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.

Bethan has also lectured on the Legal Practice Course for the University of South Wales and on the CIPD Level 5 course for Trinity St Davids.