Mr Adrian Hughes KC KC > 39 Essex Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile
39 Essex Chambers Offices
81 CHANCERY LANE
LONDON
WC2A 1DD
England
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Mr Adrian Hughes KC KC
Position
Barrister specialising in complex commercial contract work. Main areas of expertise lie within the construction/engineering and commercial fields and include also information technology, rail, energy, project finance, insurance, shipping, international trade and professional negligence cases. Much of his work involves international arbitration and dispute resolution with a particular focus on China and the Far East. He acts as Counsel and also as Arbitrator in many different jurisdictions and under all the main international institutional rules.
Career
Formerly an Officer in the Royal Navy. Called to the Bar 1981. Examiner of the Court 1998. Recorder 2001. Queen’s Counsel 2006. Adjudicator (TECBAR). Mediator (Resolex panel; CEDR qualified); Dispute Board chairman/member for major infrastructure projects.
Languages
French (working knowledge).
Memberships
Chairman UK Society of Construction Law (2010-11); Chairman China Law Council in the UK; Bar Council International Committee; TECBAR; COMBAR.
Education
Warwick School; Wadham College, Oxford (MA in jurisprudence).
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > International arbitration: arbitrators
(Leading counsel as arbitrators)Ranked: Tier 1Adrian Hughes KC –39 Essex Chambers ‘A careful, thoughtful, resourceful and efficient arbitrator. In the top flight.’
39 Essex Chambers is an ‘excellent set for international arbitration matters’, with the set’s arbitrators’ expertise extending across all sectors including construction, energy and commercial disputes, as well as in sports-related arbitrations, an area in which Lord Dyson is particularly active, and in investment treaty cases, an area where Peter Rees KC – known for his pre-Bar career as a law firm partner and as Shell’s top in-house lawyer – has increased his visibility. Those who sit alongside a counsel practice include Adrian Hughes KC, who has been involved in cases in the SIAC and across the Middle East and Marion Smith KC, who has extensive experience in construction and technology arbitrations. Richard Wilmot-Smith KC is a full-time arbitrator and has a global practice in this space.
London Bar > Construction
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3Adrian Hughes KC – 39 Essex Chambers ‘Adrian is the stand-out barrister of his generation. His strategic instincts are excellent and his advocacy is masterful. He also has superb client care and inspires confidence.’
London Bar > International arbitration: counsel
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2Adrian Hughes KC –39 Essex Chambers ‘Adrian’s strategic instincts are excellent, and his advocacy is masterful. He also has superb client care and inspires confidence.’
London Bar > Energy
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 4Adrian Hughes KC – 39 Essex Chambers ‘A masterful advocate whose strategic instincts are excellent.’
Regional International Arbitration – The Bar > Commercial
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2Adrian Hughes KC – 39 Essex Chambers ‘Adrian’s expertise is particularly valued in complex contract disputes where his innovative approach to points of law makes a definitive impact.’
At 39 Essex Chambers, the team has an established track record in advising on complex international arbitrations, commercial cases and insurance matters spanning the Asia Pacific region. The set also reports an increase in work involving allegations of fraud. Charles Manzoni KC garners praise as ‘the best commercial silk in Hong Kong‘ – he is a dual tenant at Temple Chambers. Adrian Hughes KC‘s ‘ability to synthesize the legal frameworks of different jurisdictions into a coherent strategy is especially appreciated by clients facing cross-border challenges‘. Jonathan Bellamy is sought after for his expertise in advising on cases heard under, among others, ICC, UNCITRAL, and SIAC arbitral rules.
Regional International Arbitration – The Bar > Construction, energy and infrastructure
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1Adrian Hughes KC – 39 Essex Chambers ‘Adrian’s expertise is particularly valued in complex contract disputes where his innovative approaches to points of law make a definitive impact.’
At 39 Essex Chambers, Adrian Hughes KC continues to advise on complex international construction matters, and ‘his ability to synthesize the legal frameworks of different jurisdictions into a coherent strategy is especially appreciated by clients facing cross-border challenges‘. David Brynmor Thomas KC has a solid track record in handling energy disputes, often in the oil and gas and renewables spaces, and often acts for clients in India and Singapore. Jonathan Bellamy is a ‘highly sought after senior junior‘.
Middle East: The English Bar > Construction
(Leading silks)Ranked: Tier 2Adrian Hughes KC – 39 Essex Chambers ‘Exceptional client handling skills, especially with different cultural contexts for international cases. Superb strategic oversight. Succinct and persuasive advocacy, both written and oral. A leader in all senses of the word.’
39 Essex Chambers houses ‘many leading KCs as well as very sound juniors’ who cover a range of infrastructure, energy and natural resources construction disputes and arbitrations. Among the silks who maintain an active practice are Karim Ghaly KC, who advises governments, contractors and developers in infrastructure arbitrations and Marion Smith KC, who has experience as counsel and as an arbitrator in construction disputes across the Middle East. Adrian Hughes KC has experience in construction arbitrations before a range of centres, including the ICC, DIAC and DIFC-LCIA and Alexander Burrell is an active junior.