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England - London Bar
2

Crime

Hugh French

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Red Lion Chambers

Red Lion Chambers is noted for its ‘have an incredible depth of counsel’, with members appearing for both the prosecution and the defence across the full spectrum of serious crime.  Gillian Jones KC similarly acts in highly sophisticated crime mandates, including those pertaining to organised crime - she represented the first defendant on the indictment in a six-defendant case concerning the murder of a man outside a child's first birthday party - at issue were cell site evidence, as well as the admissibility of drill music lyrics performed by the defendant - Jennifer Dempster KC represented another defendant, who was acquitted at half-time. Paul Evans, distinguished as ‘polished and unflappable’ handles a rapport of cases that includes complex rape cases. Hugh French  handles a broad spectrum of homicide and organised crime matters, having been active as lead counsel in the Operation Geology case involving an organised crime gang’s importation of drugs through Portsmouth.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Phone
020 7520 6000
Email
[email protected]
Profile
redlionchambers.co.uk

Profile

Position

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.

Career

Year of Call: 2004

Languages

Spanish (conversational), French (basic)

Memberships

CPS Specialist Panel Advocate (Counter Terrorism Panel) (Grade 4) CPS Specialist Panel Advocate (Serious Crime, Fraud, POCA) (Grade 3) CPS Panel Advocate (RASSO) (Grade 4) CPS Panel Advocate (General Crime) (Grade 4) CBA South Eastern Circuit

Education

Bar Vocational Course

Graduate Diploma in Law

BA(Hons) Classics, Newcastle University

Content supplied by Red Lion Chambers

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Red Lion are a great chambers, the clerks (Lee Young in particular) are incredibly helpful and accommodating. '
  • 'Red Lion are a top tier set. They have an incredible depth of counsel in fraud and general crime.'
  • 'Leading criminal set in the country.'
  • 'Having worked with many chambers over the years, Red Lion has always been the best - they have a great selection of talented, hard working barristers, all of which I trust to get the job done to the best of their exceptional abilities.'
  • 'RLC is packed full of hardworking, kind, friendly barristers who are excellent advocates and strategists.'
  • 'Good set - that attracts good counsel'
  • 'It is well known that Red Lion Chambers are consistently ranked as the top-tier set for criminal defence and rightly so. They have real strength in depth and a strong reputation across the board.'
  • 'Red Lion Chambers has a number of stellar performers across the board.'