Our people

Lee Hughes

"Lee is excellent with clients, he is clear and straightforward in his advice, and he does not shy away from difficult conversation, and as a result, clients trust his judgement." LEGAL 500, 2025

Partner, Global Investigations
Manchester, UK

Expertise

Lee is a regulatory barrister. He is ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners in several areas of practice including business crime, health and safety, inquests and inquiries and professional discipline. He is regularly instructed in cases involving fire, road traffic, transport, environment and trading standards.

Prior to returning to AG, Lee prosecuted for the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency, Insolvency Service, CPS and Local Authorities.

Lee has acted in a range of matters for a variety of clients, including:

Defendants and the Health and Safety Executive in fatality cases
Companies, prisons and the Probation Service in Article 2 inquests following the deaths of individuals in custody or recently released from custody represented
Defendants and the Environment Agency in prosecutions for environmental offences
Professionals for breaches of their professional rules, including legal professionals, doctors, teachers, nurses and counsellors
Companies and individuals before the Traffic Commissioner

Professional Memberships

Member of the Health and Safety Lawyers' Association

Education

Salford University (LL.M. in Health and Safety and Environmental Law) 2012
Qualified as a Solicitor 2009
Called to the Bar 2006
University of Sheffield (LL.B.) 2004

Testimonials

LEGAL 500 2025

"Lee is excellent with clients, he is clear and straightforward in his advice, and he does not shy away from difficult conversation, and as a result, clients trust his judgement. He is always well prepared and grasps the detail and issues in his cases with ease, in even the most difficult cases, and he is not afraid to roll his sleeves up and get stuck into the case preparation."

"Lee is a formidable barrister with skills beyond his year of call. His background as a solicitor means that he is hands on with the preparation and approach to any case, he places lay clients at ease, and immediately instils confidence"

"Lee is very quick to get to grips with the issues in a case and he always comes to a conference or hearing fully prepared with an almost forensic analysis of the papers, and he asks relevant and insightful questions of clients and witnesses."

"As well as being an exceptional barrister from a legal perspective, his way with clients is also something to be admired as he has a very understated yet charming manner which puts clients at ease and makes them feel genuinely part of any conversation."

CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS 2025

"He's a really excellent barrister and a good advocate."

"His attention to detail is superb, and his knowledge of the law is very in-depth. He knows how to be an advocate. He is a quality act."

"Lee is personable, good with both clients and solicitors, and gets to grips with the issues in a case faster than most people I know."

"Lee has a gentle, subtle approach that works well for sensitive defendants or witnesses. He can put them at ease and get what he needs from them. He holds evidence at his fingertips."

"Lee Hughes is a really excellent barrister and good advocate."

"Lee Hughes is a experienced prosecutor who is always analytical and fair, but he's also a strong defender."