Serle Court

Hugh is recognised as a leading silk at the Chancery Commercial Bar. He has a broad commercial and chancery practice, with a particular emphasis on cases involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and confidential information. He is highly recommended by the leading directories in all his principal practice areas.

He has been involved in some of the most significant fraud cases of recent years. Currently he is co-leading for the claimant in Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan & ors, a claim for in excess of US$800m arising out of alleged bribery of the former Director General of the Kuwaiti State Pension and Social Security Fund. Hugh is also leading a defence team in Jinxin v Aser Media Pte Limited & ors, a US$660m claim for rescission or damages arising out of alleged deceit in the purchase by a Chinese fund of a controlling interest in a leading sports media rights group. He previously acted in Vale v Steinmetz, a £1 billion-plus claim relating to a mining joint venture in Guinea. Vale, the Brazilian mining giant, has brought a claim against various directors and controllers within the BSGR group to set aside a joint venture for fraudulent misrepresentation. He is also currently acting in Ballacorey Wheat v Brown & ors, a fraud claim commenced in 2019 in the Isle of Man (relating to asset management) and in Athene v Siddiqui & ors, a claim commenced in Bermuda involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty and dishonest assistance relating to confidential information in insurance and private equity.

In 2019 and 2020, Hugh represented Charles Saatchi in proceedings against a former trusted advisor in relation to misappropriations relating to Mr Saatchi’s famous art collection. In 2019, Hugh acted for the film and music business Entertainment One in fraud proceedings relating to secret commissions paid to senior employees. Between 2018 and 2019, he was involved in Arcelormittal v Essar Steel, a huge claim arising out of efforts to enforce an underlying arbitration between two steel manufacturing giants. In 2018 he led one of the defence teams in Accident Exchange v McLean & ors, a £127 million conspiracy claim brought by a firm of credit hire providers against experts and solicitors previously involved in litigation against the credit hire providers.

Year of Call: 1995; Year of Silk: 2012

Chancery Bar Association; COMBAR.

Studied PPE at Oxford, CPE at City University, LLM at King’s College London.

Married with two sons. An enthusiastic tennis player and skier.