Lee Hughes

Call To The Bar: 2006

“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.” – Legal 500, 2023

“Lee has a keen eye for detail and is both approachable and professional with clients. He is up front and open when delivering his advice and represents his clients with great tenacity. Lee is does not blind clients with complicated legal language; his advice is always succinct and easy to understand.” – Legal 500, 2023

“As a former solicitor, Lee really does know what a solicitor is looking for and needs from counsel. His preparation is meticulous and thorough. He is incredibly accessible and a very good advocate. Clients really warm to him due to his down to earth nature and the fact he is very good at expressing sometimes difficult points succinctly and clearly.” – Legal 500, 2023

“Lee is exceptionally adept at analysing the law and explaining it in a comprehensible way to clients, and at combining that analysis with good practical advice. Lee is extremely approachable and always willing to act as a sounding board, a trusted advisor.” Legal 500, 2022

“An excellent and calming manner with clients paired with meticulous preparation and a real practical understanding of the law. Able to articulate complex matters in a way that both lay clients and the Court can really grasp.” Legal 500, 2021

“[Lee’s] guidance and counsel was second to none”.  Client testimonial

“The communication from Lee Hughes throughout our involvement with him has been impeccable with clear and concise explanations throughout the whole process. …he is highly recommended.” Client testimonial

Lee is considered a “rising star” in business and regulatory crime by Legal 500. He specialises in regulatory law, with a focus on health and safety (including fire), road traffic (including work in front of the traffic commissioners), seizures by HMRC and Border Force, Ofsted enforcement, inquests, professional discipline, environmental law and trading standards.

Background

Prior to joining chambers Lee worked as a solicitor for some of the country’s leading regulatory practices. In doing so he gained experience in advising and representing international corporate clients, developed excellent client handling skills and amassed significant technical knowledge in his specialist areas. He also developed a keen insight into what instructing solicitors require from their instructed counsel.

Work at the Bar

Due to Lee’s significant experience as a solicitor coupled with his thorough preparation and eye for detail, Lee has quickly established himself as a successful, sought-after junior in regulatory law matters.

Since moving to the Bar Lee has been in high demand for representing privately funded defendants in the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court for a range of criminal offences. He has also appeared in numerous cases involving POCA, where substantial sums have been sought.

In much of his work, Lee is instructed by insurance practices and national law firms to defend corporate clients and individuals. In addition to his solid defence practice, Lee also prosecutes on the Specialist Regulatory Advocates list for Health and Safety and Environmental Law.

Lee has also been instructed in matters of national significance, including the Manchester Arena Inquiry, the Gosport Independent Panel Review and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

In addition to advocacy, Lee provides training and assistance to instructing solicitors and regulatory bodies on a range of subjects and is always happy to get involved in a case pre-charge, when he can influence the direction of investigations.

Lee develops strong working relationships with instructing solicitors and clients alike, using his experience supervising teams of lawyers to ensure successful outcomes.

Appointments and other relevant information

Due to his professional disciplinary experience Lee has been appointed as an independent investigator by the United Kingdom Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association (UKBJJA) in disciplinary matters and also as a legal expert assisting the Disciplinary and Arbitration Committees of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF).

Lee has been successful in achieving panel status for several specialist prosecution agencies, including the CPS general Crime list, the CPS Serious Crime Specialist Panel, the SFO Panel and the Specialist Regulator (AG) Panel.

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