Hugh has a busy traditional Chancery practice covering all aspects of trusts, estates, and probate, with a focus on contentious trusts and estates work. He is ranked in Chambers UK Bar 2024, Chambers High Net Worth 2024 and in Legal 500 2025.
Hugh is regularly instructed in applications to the High Court in connection with the administration of trusts and estates and often advises trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries. This work includes claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, in which Hugh is frequently instructed by both Claimants and Defendants.
In the Court of Protection, Hugh is frequently instructed in contested deputyship applications, applications for statutory wills, and other applications before the Court.
Hugh appeared before the Supreme Court in Ilott v Blue Cross [2017] UKSC 17 the leading case on awards under the Inheritance Act (led by Penelope Reed KC) and in the important Supreme Court case of Parry v HMRC [2020] UKSC 35, concerning the inheritance tax treatment of pension transfers (led by David Rees KC).
After completing pupillage in Chambers, Hugh was seconded to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for the 2014/15 legal year to act as Judicial Assistant to Lord Neuberger, the President of the Supreme Court.