Personal profile
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. He is listed on the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences, Serious Crime and Terrorism specialist panels (at Grade 4) and the Fraud and POCA panels (at Grade 3).
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.
Recommendations
Hugh is dogged and determined. He always comes armed with a strategy to exploit any weaknesses in the opposing case. His closing speeches are particularly impressive; Hugh has the confidence to pick the best points, and run with them, undiluted. He is a rare example of someone who is genuinely as effective on either side of the courtroom and the outcomes he secures are testament to an advocate of the highest ability.
― Legal 500 (2025)
Hugh is a robust and effective prosecutor who sets about his task with determination and confidence. His case preparation is meticulous, and he has a strong command of the law. His advocacy in court is focussed and succinct, in particular his cross-examination which can be tenacious when required.
― Legal 500 (2024)
Hugh is a consummate professional. He is unflappable when challenged by judges. A particular strength is his ability to put clients and witnesses at ease when giving evidence.
― Legal 500 (2023)
Hugh is a very committed barrister. His advocacy is precise and measured, and he is a very effective cross-examiner. Persuasive and unflappable.
― Legal 500 (2022)
Serious & Organised Crime
Hugh is a CPS Panel Advocate (Grade 4) who is on the Serious Crime Panel. He has worked in this area with the National Crime Agency, HMRC and he has considerable experience in dealing with sensitive material.
Hugh regularly appears as leading junior to represent those accused of serious criminality. His attention to detail and tactical acumen has often been praised by clients.
Featured cases
- R v. Op. Lop – Leading counsel for the Crown in the Prosecution of a husband and wife team convicted of exporting 6 tonnes of cocaine to Australia and associated money laundering offences.
- R v. SH (2024) – Prosecution of an individual charged under s.13 of the Terrorism Act.
- R v. JP (2024) – Defence of an individual accused of the murder of his 97 year old grandmother.
- R v. K (2024) – Defence of an alleged gang member for a targeted knife attack on a train
- R v. K (2024) – Prosecution of a gang responsible for a conspiracy to handle hundreds of stolen mobile phones.
- R v. F (2024) – Leading counsel in the defence for a man accused of being a key member of an Organised Crime Group.
- R v. G (2024) – prosecution of an organised crime group for fraudulent evasion of duty.
- R v. K (2024) – Defence of a man accused of trading handguns to the criminal underworld.
- KM (2024) – Prosecution of two individuals for possession of a handheld machine gun.
- R v. Op K (2024) – Leading Counsel for the Crown in the prosecution of an East London drug conspiracy.
- R v. G (2023) – Defence of a young woman accused of the murder of her partner.
- R v. Op D (2023) – Instructed as leading counsel in the prosecution of an organised crime group for duty evasion.
- R v. I (2023) – Prosecution of a member of an international organise crime group arising from an Encrochat investigation.
- R v J (2023) – Defence of a corrupt port official accused of smuggling 1,500 kgs of cocaine on a banana shipment.
Sexual Offences
Hugh has worked as a member of the CPS RASSO panel for several years and has prosecuted cases of the utmost seriousness for the CPS.
He also appears for the defence in allegations of sexual abuse. His client care and knowledge of the disclosure regime means that he is regularly instructed in these cases.
Featured cases
- R v. C (2024) – Prosecution of a police officer for sexual offences.
- R v. T (2024) – Prosecution of a man accused of grooming offences and rape of two young girls.
- R v. G (2024) – Defence of a young man for rape.
- R v. G (2024) – Prosecution of a man accused of the rape of a 6 year old girl when he was 11.
- R v. R (2024) – Defence of a convicted sex offender for a historic rape.
- R v. G (2024) – Prosecution of a man for sexual assault on his step daughter.
- R v. C (2024) – Prosecution of a young teaching assistant for the rape of a pupil.
- R v. S (2023) – Defence of a man for the rape of his niece.
- Regularly instructed to advise on a Victim’s Right to Review (the VRR scheme)
Serious Violence
Hugh is a CPS Panel Advocate (Grade 4) who is regularly instructed in cases of Serious Violence, especially in multi-defendant trials.
For the defence he has acted as junior counsel in allegations of murder and has appeared on his own, or as leading junior in respect of a wide range of allegations of Serious Violence.
Featured cases
- R v. JP (2024) – Defence of an individual accused of the murder of his 97 year old grandmother.
- R v. K (2024) – Defence of an alleged gang member for a targeted knife attack on a train.
- R v. B (2024) – Defence of someone for aggravated burglary by breaking into a rival dealer’s property with a machete.
- R v. K (2024) – Charging advice for a driver with epilepsy who drove into a pedestrian causing life changing injuries.
- R v. G (2023) – Defence of a vulnerable young woman accused of the murder of her partner in a case which had substantial press interest.
- R v. N (2023) – Defence of a young man for stabbing two other youths in the street.
Fraud
Hugh has been instructed by the Specialist Fraud Division of the CPS for several years and regularly acts as a leading junior, especially in cases involving HMRC.
He also appears for the defence in fraud allegations and can advise individuals or companies who are under investigation or who have been charged.
Featured cases
- R v. Op Lop (2024) – Leading counsel for the Crown in a multi million pound money laundering operation to launder the proceeds of cross border drug dealing.
- R v. Op D (2024) – Instructed as leading counsel in the prosecution of an international organised crime group for duty evasion.
- R v. G (2024) – prosecution of an organised crime group for fraudulent evasion of duty.
- R v. Op L (2023) – Instructed as leading counsel in the prosecution of a seven handed duty evasion case.
- R v A (2023) – Instructed to prosecute three individuals for mandate fraud and associated money laundering.
Education
- Bar Vocational Course
- Graduate Diploma in Law
- BA(Hons) Classics, Newcastle University
Memberships
- CPS Specialist Panel Advocate (Serious Crime, Counter Terrorism Panel) (Grade 4)
- CPS Specialist Panel Advocate (Fraud, POCA) (Grade 3)
- CPS Panel Advocate (RASSO) (Grade 4)
- CPS Panel Advocate (General Crime) (Grade 4)
- CBA
- South Eastern Circuit
Languages
- Spanish (conversational)
- French (basic)