David Hughes

Practice Overview

David joined chambers in 2007, prior to which he had been in full-time practice at the Gibraltar Bar. He has a civil, commercial and public law practice, with a particularemphasis on civil actions against the police.

David appears forand advises claimants in actions against the Police, and similar public authorities such as prisons and the MoJ. His cases include unlawful detention, use of excessive force (including taserings), the misuse of information by police, and challenges to licence revocation. He has also represented victims of crime failed bythe police.He is an experienced jury advocate. He is instructed in claims across England and Wales, and is a member of the Police Action Lawyers’ Group.

David appears in inquests for the families of the deceased. He has experience of Article 2 inquests, and jury inquests.

David has an active defamation practice, and is one of the few barristers based outside London to regularly practice in this field. Much of this work involves advising with a view to early settlement, and is necessarily confidential, but his experience includes defamation cases involving social media and in the local government context, and he has advised defendants in a number of cases involving Gibraltar government ministers. He has also advised lawyers defamed on social media, and businesses the subject of unfavourable on-line reviews. David authored the joint response of Public Law Wales and the Wales Commercial Law Association to the Government’s consultation on the draft Defamation Bill (which became the Defamation Act 2013), and has regularly given talks on defamation.

David’s commercial practice includes building disputes, property disputes, disputes arising out the sale of businesses (including the sale of intellectual property rights), unfair prejudice proceedings, partnership disputes, company name disputes, denied boarding claims, commercial lease disputes and commercial disputes in the sporting context. He also undertakes professional negligence work. He has an interest in information and soft intellectual property law. David is Chair of the Wales Commercial Law Association.

Related to David’s commercial and public law practice is his interest in disciplinary and regulatory proceedings. He has appeared successfully for registrants before the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Disciplinary Committee, Nursing and Midwifery Council, and Social Care Wales. He has also advised solicitors engaging with the Legal Ombudsman.

David is a committee member of Public Law Wales. His public law practice involves advising public bodies and potential claimants and appearing on behalf of both claimants and defendants in judicial review actions. He has experience in cases involving mental health issues, most often in cases involving the displacement of a nearest relative, and historically has often appeared in the Court of Protection, most often (but not exclusively) for local authorities or health boards. He has given evidence to both the (then) Welsh Assembly’s Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee’s inquiry into the establishment of a separate Welsh jurisdiction, and also to the Welsh Government’s consultation on the same subject, and has been asked by the CLA to assist it with its understanding of the Wales Act 2017, and with the implications of Brexit.

He has appeared in most of the leading Constitutional cases on the Rock. He led the legal team seeking a judicial review of a parole board decision concerning a man who stabbed the then justice minister, and challenged the constitutionality of Gibraltar’s parole arrangements.

Much of David’s public law work in Gibraltar has been related to social housing, and he is experienced in Wales in using public law arguments to resist possession claims in social housing cases. He has also given a lecture on the Housing (Wales) Act.

David is an elected member of Liberty's national policy council, and a former Vice-Chair of the organisation. He is a director of Wales Rugby League, and a former director of Snowsport Wales (responsible for Nordic skiing).

David speaks fluent Spanish as well as excellent French and good Italian

Notable and Reported cases

• Afriyie v Commissioner of Police for the City of London CA-2023-001615

  Success in Court of Appeal in unlawful tasering claim against City of London Police

• R (Bonnici) –v- Parole Board & Minister for Health, Care & Justice

  For the claimant, seeking a judicial review of parole board decision. Case also concerns the constitutional independence of the parole board in Gibraltar. Listed for hearing in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar in April 2019.

• Awdry –v- Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police and Forest of Dean Council

  For the Claimant, concerning the lawfulness of the seizure of sheep – judgment pending.

• Penguin Recruitment & Richardson –v- Taylor

  For the Claimants in a defamation case arising from a Glassdoor review. Judgment pending.

• Platoni –v- Shymanski

  For the Claimant, in a libel case arising out of comment on Facebook. Ongoing.

• RCVS –v- Panait

  For a vet, successfully resisted any order following a finding of unfitness to practise. Leaves the vet able to practise. February 2019.

• Re Morgan

  Care Standards Wales – successfully obtained a finding of no current impairment for the registrant. October 2018.

• United Trade and Industry –v- Independent Parking Committee Ltd & Sole

  For successful applicant before the Company Names Tribunal, obtaining an order that the Respondent company’s name be changed – 2018.

• Sutton –v- Chief Constable of South Wales Police

  Substantial sum obtained at trial for the Claimant. 2017.

• Picardo –v- Gingell.

  Advising the defendant in a libel claim by the Chief Minister of Gibraltar

• R (Costa) –v- Minister for Social Security.

  Advising and undertaking written advocacy on behalf of the Claimant. Re the entitlement of the Claimant to reasons for a decision refusing him a benefit, and to any policy concerning the benefit.

• McEvoy –v- Michael [2014] EWHC 701 (QB).

  For the Claimant (against Hugh Tomlison QC) – Where a local politician complained of statements made in leaflets produced by the local branch of a rival political party, the chairman of that branch could be considered a publisher of the leaflets despite not having written them himself. Judge also held that, if necessary, he would have found that the printer and promoter of electoral material was a published of the same for the purposes of the law of defamation, as David had argued.

• Cometson v Merthyr Tydfil CBC [2012] EWHC 3446 (Ch); [2012] 50 E.G. 101 (C.S.)

  A local housing authority co-ordinating a group repair scheme under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, which had entered into separate contracts with the property owners and the builders, was not the main contractor and was not therefore responsible for the quality and progress of the work. While the local authority did not act as agent for the property owners, it had nevertheless assumed various obligations, which it had to discharge in accordance with the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 s.13 and s.14.

• Re Park Farm, Gilwern.

  Appeared on behalf of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority responding to an appeal against an Enforcement Notice.

• Re Park Farm.

  For Brecon Beacons NPA, responding to an appeal against an Enforcement Notice

• Pulsar –v- Pringle

  For the Defendant in chancery proceedings and the Claimant in company proceedings, in a dispute between persons behind a company created for the exploitation of intellectual property rights in a hair removal machine. 

• CSC –v- Jones –v- Jones –v- Celtic Marches.

  For the 3rd party, the only parties between whom a live dispute remaining being the Defendant (effectively Claimant) and the 3rd party (effectively Defendant). Case concerned the sale of intellectual property rights in alcoholic drinks. Although the claim against David’s client succeeded, only nominal damages were awarded and a costs order was made in David’s client’s favour. 

• J –v- Heddlu Gwent Police

  Advising the Claimant in a civil claim for wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution.

• Azopardi & Azopardi –v- Merthyr Tydfil CBC.

  For the Claimants in a construction dispute relating to works performed on their home under a local authority scheme.

• Leggott –v- North Yorkshire Police

  For the Claimant in a case of unlawful arrest.

• Llewellyn Jones –v- Ali & Ali.

  For the Claimants in a case concerning a blocked easement. 

• George & Elsdon –v- QPSD

  For the Claimants in a case arising out of the sale of care homes. Case involved significant factual disputes, and there was a counterclaim valued at nearly £600,000. The Claimants’ case was largely successful, the counterclaim succeeded only to the amount of £250 and the costs order was in the Claimants’ favour.

• R (Israel) –v- Gibraltar Magistrates Court.

  Appearing on behalf of the Claimant. The issue was whether s14(2) of Gibraltar’s Housing Act 2007 was compatible with the fair trial and respect for the home provisions of Gibraltar’s Constitution (similar to ECHR Arts 6 and 8). S14 provides that, where a person is convicted of unlawful occupation and the Attorney-General seeks an order granting possession, that order must be made. An order had been made against David’s client, who was in a dispute re public housing with the Gibraltar government.At the hearing of an application for interim relief, it was effectively conceded (the govt agreeing not to seek to enforce the order if substantive JR proceedings were issued and subject to its right to bring conventional possession proceedings). 

• Scatchard –v- Peacock

  For the Claimant in a personal injury claim arising out of an RTA. An occupant of the vehicle driven by the Defendant had died in the collision, and client was very concerned at the allegation of contributory negligence against her putting blame onto her for this death. Appeared alone against a QC.

• Unite –v- Sisarello

  For the Defendant in proceedings before the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, concerning an alleged breach of a severance agreement. The claim raised issues about the extent to which a severance agreement can, under the cloak of confidentiality, silence the former employee from commenting on matters in the public domain.

• Bossano –v- Zammit

  For the Defendant in threatened libel proceedings in Gibraltar. David led the negotiations against a Gibraltar QC which resulted in settlement.

• Administrative & Public Law

  David advises and appears for public bodies and individuals across a range of public law areas. He is particularly interested in areas where public law crosses into his other practice areas, for example using public law arguments in social housing cases, in defamation in the local government context, and his practice in actions against the police, where torts based on or involving public law such a powers of arrest or detention are involved. David continues to be involved in public law claims in Gibraltar as well as in Wales. On the Rock, he has appeared in any of the leading Constitutional cases involving the Gibraltar Constitution’s chapter on fundamental rights. David's public law cases include:

  • R (Bonnici) v Parole Board - see above
  • McEvoy –v- Michael [2014] EWHC 701 (QB) – see above
  • Re Park Farm, Gilwern – see above
  • Re Park Farm – see above
  • R (Israel) –v- Gibraltar Magistrates Court – see above
  • Merton Green - appeared for the successful applicants in an inquiry as to whether land should be registered as a village green
  • Blaenau Gwent v Khan - represented successful local authority in inquiry re recovery of expenses for workers on a listed building and subsequent judicial review proceedings.
  • R v Probation Service - For a Claimant seeking a judicial review of decision taken with MAPPA to require him to return to scene of previous offending – resolved amicably to Claimant’s satisfaction.
  • Govt. of Spain v Dixon 2008 - Supreme Court of Gibraltar allowed appeal against an order for surrender under European Arrest Warrant to Spain (no appropriate rules in Gibraltar; Anglo-Welsh rules could not be imported).
  • Att. Gen. v Abecasis 2007 - appearing in Court of Appeal on behalf of squatters resisting an application to evict them from government owned flat
  • Re Dixon 2007 - Habeus Corpus proceedings in Court of Appeal following surrender of client to Spain pursuant to a European Arrest Warrant
  • Att. Gen. v Shimidzu [2005] UKPC 26, [2005] 1 WLR 3335 - successful representation of respondent in Court of Appeal-costs regime for indictable trials unconstitutional (as acquitted defendants unable to claim costs)
  • Rojas v Berllaque [2003] UKPC 72, [2004] 1WLR 201 - successful challenge against all-male juries in Gibraltar; appearing alone in Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and as junior in the Privy Council
  • R v Shimidzu & Martinez [2001-2002] Gib LR 106 - order for disclosure of complaints against a police officer not yet adjudicated upon, and Police Training manual
  • R v Shimidzu [2001- 2002] Gib LR 100 - Supreme Court unable to vary bail conditions imposed by magistrates’ court in order to preserve possible costs arguments
  • R v Stipendiary Magistrate [2001-2002] Gib LR 68 - acting for claimant on application to stay serious criminal charges on the ground that inadequacies in Gibraltar’s criminal legal aid scheme made a fair trial impossible. Case led to the first increase in criminal legal aid rates in 20 years
  • Parody v R [2001-2002] Gib LR 13 - fair trial requirement that magistrates’ court give reasons when convicting
  • R v HM Prison Gibraltar, ex parte Chichon [1999-2000] Gib LR 143 - application for Judicial Review by inmate of prison who had been denied prescription drugs, and failure to provide medical examinations as required by prison rules
• Chancery and Commercial

  Commercial litigation probably makes up the largest single element of David’s practice, and he is often instructed in chancery disputes involving land or businesses.

  Currently advising in a high-value claim arising out of a landslip.

  • United Trade and Industry v Independent Parking Committee Ltd & Sole - see above
  • Azopardi & Azopardi –v- Merthyr Tydfil CBC – see above
  • Cometson v Merthyr Tydfil CBC [2012] EWHC 3446 (Ch); [2012] 50 E.G. 101 (C.S.) - see above
  • Pulsar –v- Pringle – see above
  • CSC –v- Jones –v- Jones –v- Celtic Marches – see above
  • Llewellyn Jones –v- Ali & Ali – see above
  • George & Elsdon –v- QPSD – see above
  • CB Construction v Ramsden and Ramsden — For defendants in successful resistance to immediate execution of an adjudication award.
• Crime

  When in full-time practice in Gibraltar, David regularly appeared as a jury advocate, always obtaining at least partial acquittals when the principle defence advocate, and returned to Gibraltar to argue successfully in the European Arrest Warrant case Govt. of Spain v Dixon [2007–09 Gib LR 244]. He is a strong believer in acquiring a broad common law grounding in the early years of practice.

• Employment

  David appears in employment cases, both before the Employment Tribunal and the ordinary civil courts.

  • Unite –v- Sisarello – see above
  • Rowlands and Rowlands v Ynysybwl RFC — claimants awarded £80k for constructive dismissal
  • Seafresh –v- Regis & Ors – for the claimant, concerning the enforcement of non-competition clause.
• Mental Health, Vulnerable Adults & Community Care

  Has appeared for local authorities seeking to displace nearest relatives, and advised local authorities in this field. Also undertakes work in the Court of Protection.

• Local Government and Planning

  This area ties in with David’s interest and practice in public law,  in commercial litigation, and (in particular in mental health and Court of Protection cases) his interest in human rights.

  • Caerphilly –v- D – for the Defendant, a vulnerable adult against whom possession proceedings brought in respect of publicly-owned home.
  • Re Park Farm, Gilwern – see above
  • Re Park Farm – see above
  • R (Israel) –v- Gibraltar Magistrates Court – see above
  • Caerphilly CBC –v- C – for the Defendant, a vulnerable adult against whom possession of a publicly-owned home was sought. Injunction obtained at a time when D lacked capacity held not enforceable.
  • A Local Authority –v- A media organisation – instructed together with leading counsel on behalf of the local authority, seeking to restrain the publication by the media organisation of confidential material.
  • Re adult services – advised a local authority on whether support services fell within the scope of s117 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
  • Advising a local authority re restraining the use of confidential information in an adoption context.
  • Merton Green — appeared for the successful applicants in an inquiry as to whether land should be registered as a village green, appearing alone against a silk at the inquiry.
  • Blaenau Gwent v Khan - represented successful local authority in inquiry re recovery of expenses for workers on a listed building and subsequent judicial review proceedings.
• Police Actions and Prison Law

  Numerous cases for claimants in police and prison cases, including against forces in the Midlands and the North of England and in Gibraltar. Cases include;

  • R (Bonnici) –v- Parole Board – see above
  • Awdry –v- Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police & Forest of Dean Council – see above
  • Sutton -v- Chief Constable of South Wales Police - significant award for battery, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution
  • Rusted -v- Chief Constable of Northumbria Police - for the Claimant, concerned the lawfulness of detention at the police station of a then young person
  • Jackson -v- Chief Constable of Northumbria Police - for the Claimant, in a successful claim arising from the seizure of a van
  • S –v- A prison governor – advising the claimant in respect of unlawful detention in a prison.
  • J –v- Heddlu Gwent Police – advising the Claimant in a civil claim for wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution.
  • Leggott –v- North Yorkshire Police – see above
  • N –v- Home Office – advising Claimant in respect of unlawful detention in a prison.
  • R v Probation Service - For a Claimant seeking a judiicial review of decision taken with MAPPA to require him to return to scene of previous offending – resolved amicably to Claimant’s satisfaction.
• Regulatory, Inquiries and Inquests

  Appearing at planning and village green inquiries.

  • Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons -v- Panait - see above
  • Re Morgan - Care Standards Wales - see above

   

• Sports Law

  Appearing and advising in commercial disputes in the sporting context, including a claim concerning racehorse training fees and a partnership in a racehorse.

• Education & Qualification
  • Inns of Court School of Law – BVC 1996-97
  • University of Glamorgan – CPE 1995-96
  • University of Wolverhampton – B.A. (hons) Modern Languages (French & Spanish) including Erasmus exchanges at the Universidad de Granada, Spain and the Université de Mons-Hainault, Belgium – 1991-95.
• Appointments
  • Fee Paid Judge of the Employment Tribunal of England and Wales sitting in the South West  2020
  • Fee Paid Judge of the First Tier Tribunal in Wales  2020
• Careers
  • Tenant at 30 Park Place – June 2007 – present.
  • Also a door tenant at Ely Place Chambers, London, and a consultant at Phillips Barristers & Solicitors, Gibraltar.
  • Associate at Phillips Barristers & Solicitors  - September 1997 – August 1999 and September 2000 – July 2007
  • Pupillage – September 1999 – September 2000
• Awards

  Middle Temple Anglo-American Scholar 1997, Jules Thorn Scholar 1996, Blackstone’s entrance exhibition 1995.

• Related News

  David spoke at the British-Spanish Law Association’s 2015 annual conference in Palma, Majorca. His talk, delivered together with a Spanish abogada, was entitled “Pride and (without) prejudice: the treatment of inter-partes correspondence in England & Wales and Spain”. He has spoken at previous BSLA conferences, at the Legal Wales Conference on a number of occasions, to the Public Law Project’s Wales conference, and to the Murcia (Spain) Bar’s private international law conference.

• Related Publications
  • “Justice for Wales” – pamphlet published with others.
  • “Our Quasi-Federal Kingdom”, Society of Conservative Lawyers, September 2014 (with others)
  • Caseless tweets cost Confederation of South Wales Law Societies Legal News August 2013 Article for South Wales Solicitors on defamation, why it matters to their clients, and the lessons from the McAlpine -v- Bercow case
  • Constitutional Litigation in Gibraltar – the legacy of Rojas –v- Berllaque”, The Commonwealth Lawyer, December 2012
  • Gibraltar and Wales: Indications of possible development of devolution” (2006) WJLP 330, A discussion of how devolution in Wales might develop, based on experience of Gibraltar's Constitutional position. Prepared having spoken to the Legal Wales Conference on the same subject.
  • Had a fortnightly column in a Gibraltar newspaper when in full-time practice there, often writes pieces on current and legal affairs in the Western Mail and the Gibraltar Chronicle.
• Memberships
  • Liberty (elected to the national policy council)
  • Police Action Lawyers Group
  • Administrative Law Bar Association
  • Planning and Environmental Bar Association
  • Commonwealth Lawyers Association
  • British Spanish Law Association (committee member)
  • Public Law Wales (committee member)
  • Wales Commercial Law Association (committee member)
• Recommendations

  • "David Hughes's ability to dissect the information and explain it in a way that is understood by lay clients is excellent." "His advocacy is always very good and succinct, thorough but concise." "David is client-focused and approachable." (Chambers & Partners 2025 - Policy Law: Mainly Claimant)

  • Tier 1 (Legal 500, 2025 - Administrative law and human rights)

  • David Hughes is a heavily instructed claimant-side barrister specialising in actions against the police. His cases concern assault, unlawful arrest and the misuse of personal information by police forces. "David is excellent with clients and able to distil complex information in a way clients understand." "He is a true fighter." (Chambers & Partners 2024, Police Law: Mainly Claimant

  • "He is always very keen in this area of law and fights tirelessly for his clients.  He is a pleasure to work with for any instructing solicitor. Overall, a very competent advocate and good with his papers too." (Legal 500, 2024 - Adminsitrative & Public Law)
  • "He is an extremely motivated, inspiring individual." "An excellent team player and advocate.” (Chambers UK, 2023 - Police Law: Mainly Claimant)
  • "A junior who thinks outside the box." (Legal 500, 2023 - Administrative & Public Law incl Civil Liberties & Human Rights)
  • "He builds an excellent relationship with clients." "He is excellent in cross-examination." "He is able to relay complex legal issues in a clear and effective manner." (Chambers UK, 2022 - Police Law: Mainly Claimant)
  • 'He is able to think outside the box which often gives a case added strength.' (Legal 500, 2021 - Administrative and Public Law)
  • 'Particularly recommended for judicial reviews concerning sentencing and parole.' (Legal 500, 2020 - Public Law)
  • 'Prepares well and is very good with clients.' (Legal 500, 2020 - Commercial, Banking, Insolvency and Chancery Law)
  • 'Noted for handling cases involving mental health issues.’ (Legal 500, 2019)
  • 'Well known for partnership and building disputes.' (Legal 500, 2018)
  • 'Highly recommended for judicial reviews' (Legal 500, 2017)
  • 'Experienced in businesses, partnership and building disputes' (Legal 500, 2017)
  • 'Recommended for contractual disputes in the construction and engineering industry' (Legal 500, 2016)
  • 'Knowledgeable in judicial reviews and a wide range of constitutional matters' (Legal 500, 2016)
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