Hugh French
Call: 2004
Personal profile
Hugh French is a highly effective and persuasive advocate who specialises in providing advice and representation in serious and complex criminal cases.
Shortlisted by the Legal 500 in 2024 as the Crime Junior of the Year, he is ranked in the 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. Recent instructions have been in cases of homicide, people trafficking and the operation of an international gun running operation.
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 Group and Terrorism specialist panels at the highest grade. He regularly accepts leading and junior briefs from the CPS for such 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 Serious Violence, Sexual Offences, Homicide and Fraud.
Hugh has conducted training for the Metropolitan Police on disclosure over several years.
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.
He sits as Recorder in Crime on the Midlands circuit.
Recommendations
― Legal 500 (2026)He is very well prepared. He has poise, clearly obtains clients confidence and his advocacy is highly effective.
― Legal 500 (2025)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 (2024)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 (2023)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 (2022)Hugh is a very committed barrister. His advocacy is precise and measured, and he is a very effective cross-examiner. Persuasive and unflappable.
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. C (2026) –Leading counsel for the Defence of an individual accused of being a key player in an OCG who smuggled people into the UK. 16 week trial at the Old Bailey
- R v. L (2026) – Leading counsel for the Defence of an individual who managed a network of guns factories who supplied guns and ammunition throughout the country.
- R v. P (2026) – Prosecution counsel in the trial of individuals accused of people trafficking.
- R v J (2026) – Defence in confiscation proceedings of a corrupt port official accused of smuggling 1,500 kgs of cocaine on a banana shipment.
- R v. C (2026) – Prosecution of individuals accused of running multi million pound unlicensed drugs operation and connected money laundering operation.
- R v. I (2025) – Prosecution of brothers accused of possession of firearms and running a drugs factory
- R v. Op. Lop (2024) – 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. 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.
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 to represent those accused of serious sexual offences. He is regularly instructed privately in this capacity.His client care and knowledge of the disclosure regime means that he is regularly instructed in these cases.
Featured cases
- R v. D (2026) – Prosecution of a stranger rape
- R v C (2026) – Prosecution of a police officer for a series of sexual offences
- R v. A (2026) – Defence of an individual for a campaign of voyeurism and sexual offending
- R v. M (2026) – Defence of an individual for IIOC involving expert evidence.
- R v. G (2026) – Defence of an individual for a stranger rape
- R v. G (2026) – Defence of a young football coach accused of rape and other sexual offences.
- R v. M (2025) – Defence of a father accused by his ex-wife of sexual offences in the course of the marriage.
- R v. K (2025) – Defence of a foreign national accused of a gang rape when visiting the UK
- R v. H (2025) – Prosecution of an individual accused of the abduction and rape of a young girl.
- 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 appeared on his own, or as leading junior in respect of a wide range of allegations of Serious Violence.
Featured cases
- R v. B (2025) – Defence of a young man accused of stabbing a gang rival in the middle of a busy high street
- R v. H (2025) – Defence of young woman accused of pushing someone under a bus
- 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.
Murder & Manslaughter
Hugh is a CPS Panel Advocate (Grade 4) who is instructed by the CPS as junior counsel in homicide trials
In Defence cases he has regularly appeared in homicide cases and provides substantial support to Instructing Solicitors in their preparation of a case for trial.
Featured cases
- R v. I (2026) – Prosecution of an individual accused of the murder of a sex worker
- R v. P (2025) – Defence of an individual convicted of the murder of his grandmother (BBC News Article)
- R v. KAK (2024) – Three month trial at the Old Bailey defending a gang member accused of organising a hit on a rival drug dealer (BBC News Article)
- R v. G (2023) – Defence of a a vulnerable young woman accused of the murder of her partner (BBC News Article)
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. R (2026) – Private instruction in confiscation proceedings following convictions for mortgage fraud
- R v. W (2026) – Defence in multi million pound confiscation proceedings
- R v. A (2026) – Multi handed Prosecution of husband and wife team accused of substantial money laundering
- 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)
Professional Appointments
Recorder (Crime) Midlands Circuit