David Hughes started practice at the Anglo-Welsh Bar in 2007. Before that, he was in full-time practice at the Gibraltar Bar.

David appears for and advises claimants in Actions Against The Police, and similar public authorities such as prisons and the MoJ.

David had a mixed practice in Gibraltar, undertaking criminal cases as well as a significant number of public law and constitutional cases. In his early years at the Bar, David had a broad civil practice, before focussing more on his current specialisms. He remained a consultant at a Gibraltar Law Firm for many years after his return to the UK.

David speaks fluent Spanish, excellent French and good Italian.

Expertise

David appears for and advises claimants in actions against the Police, and similar public authorities such as prisons and the MoJ. His cases include unlawful detention, use of excessive force (including taserings), the misuse of information by police, challenges to licence recalls, and even a successful claim relating to the unlawful seizure by police of sheep. He also represents victims of crime failed by the police. He is an experienced jury advocate. He is instructed in claims across England and Wales, and is a member of the Police Action Lawyers’ Group.

David has an active defamation practice, and is one of the few barristers based outside London to regularly practice in this field. Much of this work involves advising with a view to early settlement, and is necessarily confidential, but his experience includes defamation cases involving social media and in the local government context, and he has advised defendants in a number of cases involving Gibraltar government ministers. He has also advised lawyers defamed on social media, and businesses the subject of unfavourable on-line reviews. David authored the joint response of Public Law Wales and the Wales Commercial Law Association to the Government’s consultation on the draft Defamation Bill (which became the Defamation Act 2013), and has regularly given talks on defamation.

David appears in inquests for the families of the deceased. He has experience of Article 2 inquests, and jury inquests.

News & Insights

"He is an extremely motivated, inspiring individual." "An excellent team player and advocate."

Chambers UK 2023 – Police Law

"An excellent team player and advocate."

Chambers UK 2023 – Police Law

"A junior who thinks outside the box."

The Legal 500 2023 – Administrative & Public Law

"He builds an excellent relationship with clients."

Chambers UK 2022 – Police Law

"He is excellent in cross-examination."

Chambers UK 2022 – Police Law

"He is able to relay complex legal issues in a clear and effective manner."

Chambers UK 2022 – Police Law

"He is able to think outside the box which often gives a case added strength."

The Legal 500 2021 – Administrative & Public Law

"Particularly recommended for judicial reviews concerning sentencing and parole."

The Legal 500 2020 – Public Law

"Prepares well and is very good with clients."

The Legal 500 2020 – Commercial, Banking, Insolvency & Chancery Law

Appointments

  • Fee-paid Employment Judge (2020)
  • Fee-paid judge of the First-tier Tribunal (2020)

Languages

  • Spanish (fluent)
  • French (excellent)
  • Italian (good)

Memberships

  • Liberty (Member of national policy council 2015-2023, member of executive 2020-21, vice-chair July-December 2021)
  • Inquest
  • Wales Commercial Law Association (Chair)
  • Public Law Wales (Committee Member)
  • Administrative Law Bar Association
  • Commonwealth Lawyers Association
  • British-Spanish Law Association

News & Insights

Contact Us

Chambers is centrally located within walking distance of the train station, secure car parks and the Courts.

Contact Us

St Pauls Chambers
Park Row House
19-20 Park Row
Leeds
LS1 5JF

For out of hours assistance please call the senior clerk on 07854170429.

The switchboard will open from 08:30 until 17:30

Phone: +44 (0)1132 455 866
Email: [email protected]
CJSM: [email protected]

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