Lee Hughes

Call To The Bar: 2006

Lee is a regulatory barrister ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners in several areas of practice including business crime, health and safety, inquests and inquiries and professional discipline. He is also regularly instructed in cases involving fire, road traffic, transport, environmental, Border Force/HMRC, OFSTED and trading standards. Prior to moving to the Bar Lee was a solicitor in some of the country’s best regarded regulatory practices. He knows from first-hand experience what solicitors need from their instructed counsel and for that reason has built a strong practice.

Legal 500 2024

UK Regional Bar, Northern Circuit, Business And Regulatory Crime (Including Health And Safety) – Tier 1

“Lee is a really diligent barrister and his preparation is second-to-none. He is very clear and concise in his advice to clients, he is very amiable and easily wins trust from clients, and in court, he is a precise, persuasive, and effective advocate.”

UK Regional Bar, Northern Circuit, Professional disciplinary law – Tier 3

“Lee is insightful and analytical and gives straightforward, practical advice to clients. He is extremely approachable, always happy to be contacted, and willing to go the extra mile.”

UK Regional Bar, Northern Circuit, Inquests and Inquiries – Tier 3

“Lee is experienced beyond his years. He has a keen eye for detail, an approachable nature, and his experience as a former solicitor enables him to fully understand what an instructing solicitor needs from counsel.”

Chambers and Partners 2024

UK Bar Northern/North Eastern (Bar), Health & Safety – Band 2
UK Bar The Regions (Bar), Professional Discipline – Band 2
UK Bar The Regions (Bar), Inquests & Public Inquiries – Band 3

“Lee is far more advanced on his feet than his years of being a barrister would equate to. He puts clients at ease. He’s very thorough and very on top of developments in the law.”

“Extremely thorough and user-friendly. His preparations are always exemplary and his advocacy is excellent.”

“He is extremely competent, grasps details quickly and gives strong, practical advice to clients. Lee is not afraid to ask difficult questions or tackle difficult issues.”

Lee principally defends businesses, directors and professionals in a wide range of proceedings but also prosecutes for the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency, Insolvency Service and Local Authorities. Lee is ranked in tier 3 in Legal 500 for general crime and is on the CPS general Crime list, the CPS Serious Crime Specialist Panel and the SFO Panel.

Lee is Junior Counsel to the Crown (Regional C Panel) on the Attorney General’s Civil List.

Lee is authorised to represent members of the public under the ‘Public Access’ scheme.