Hugh French is a highly effective and persuasive advocate who specialises in providing advice and representation in serious and complex criminal cases.
He is currently shortlisted by Legal 500 as the 2024 Crime and Extradition Junior of the Year.
He is ranked in the Legal 500 directory as a leading junior in crime and is reported as “a very effective cross-examiner. Persuasive and unflappable”.
He regularly defends in cases of the utmost seriousness both as leading and junior counsel.
He is appointed to the highest grade (Grade 4) as a CPS Panel Advocate and is listed on all of their specialist panels. He is frequently instructed to provide charging advices in complex cases.
Hugh gains the confidence of clients quickly and is adept at providing clear and prompt advice to those who find themselves accused of serious crimes. He prosecutes and defends serious cases of Fraud, Serious Violence and Sexual Offences.
Hugh conducts training for the Metropolitan Police on disclosure.
Hugh is a pupil supervisor whilst also volunteering for the ELBA mentoring scheme as well as training students as part of the Bar Mock Trial Competition.
Spanish (conversational), French (basic)
CPS Specialist Panel Advocate (Counter Terrorism Panel) (Grade 4)
CPS Specialist Panel Advocate (Serious Crime, Fraud, POCA) (Grade 3)
CPS Panel Advocate (RASSO) (Grade 4)
CPS Panel Advocate (General Crime) (Grade 4)
CBA
South Eastern Circuit
Bar Vocational Course
Graduate Diploma in Law
BA(Hons) Classics, Newcastle University