Partner acted for family of spy Gareth Williams
Who? Robyn Williams, 63, partner in Anglesey firm TR Evans Hughes & Co.
Why is he in the news? Acted for the family at the inquest of MI6 codebreaker Gareth Williams, 31, whose naked and decomposing body was found in a padlocked holdall in the bath of his London flat on 23 August 2010.
Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox said that most of the ‘fundamental questions’ about how Gareth Williams died remained unanswered since the evidence did not prove ‘beyond all reasonable doubt’ that a third party had killed him.
Route to the case: ‘The family are friends of mine and asked me to act for them. I remember Gareth as a young child.’
Thoughts on the case: ‘There were lots of unanswered questions before the inquest and there are still lots after it. On a professional note, the inquest showed that even a small three-partner firm like ours can offer representation in even the most substantial cases. The family wanted a thorough investigation and that’s what I strived to give them.’
Why become a lawyer? ‘I did work experience at this office in 1966 and must have enjoyed it because after university I came straight back and have been here since 1971.’
Career high: ‘This case, which was probably unique. At 63, I never expected to do a high-profile eight-day case in London.’
Career low: ‘I was newly qualified and appearing in a building dispute at the Official Referees’ Court (now the Technology and Construction Court). When asked how far apart we were, I replied that the solicitor for the other side was from Liverpool and I was from Holyhead. That wasn’t quite the information the court was looking for.’
