Hugh regularly advises and appears in disputes involving easements, freehold and leasehold restrictive covenants, boundary disputes, adverse possession claims, and land registration matters. Hugh also advises on disputes relating orders for sale under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.

Hugh is instructed to appear as sole counsel in both the Land Registration division of the First-tier Tribunal and in the County Court. Hugh has also acted for clients in a number of on-site mediations concerning boundaries, easements, and party walls under the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996.

Marc Glover also led Hugh representing the partly successful Appellants in the High Court appeal Centaur v Scott [2023] EWHC 2712 (Ch), a complex case involving proprietary estoppel in a commercial context and countervailing benefits.

Hugh has acted in a wide range of disputes, including possession proceedings, service charge disputes, appointments of a manager, RTM cases, enfranchisement, rent repayment orders, disrepair, breach of covenant, and tenancy deposit claims. He regularly advises how these, and similar matters affect potential land developments.

As part of Hugh’s portfolio of pro bono work, he was instructed by Advocate in Tabassam v Manchester CC [2026] EWCA Civ 361, in which he acted for the successful Respondent in the appeal of an improvement notice under the Housing Act 2004.

Hugh is a contributor to Service Charges and Management, 7th Ed. (Sweet & Maxwell, due in 2026).

Hugh acted for the successful respondents in the Court of Appeal in Adriatic Land 5 Ltd v Long Leaseholders at Hippersley Point [2025] EWCA Civ 856; [2025] H.L.R. 43, a key case concerning service charges and the Building Safety Act 2022. The matter is set to be heard by the Supreme Court in 2026. Hugh was also led by Andrew Butler KC in Wilson v HB (SWA) Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 1360; [2025] 4 W.L.R. 114, a key case concerning what damages can be recovered in relation to defects in a residential development.

Hugh acted as sole counsel successfully resisting an appeal before the Upper Tribunal in the case of Okoye v Gray’s Inn Capital Limited [2025] UKUT 195 (LC) which is the latest appellate word on insurance premiums in residential flats.

Hugh’s other work in this area includes a long running First Tier Tribunal appointment of a manager dispute relating to a multi-million-pound development in East London and is currently instructed on a six-figure High Court disrepair claim arising from the illegal conversion of a property into a cannabis farm. Hugh was instructed as junior counsel in the Upper Tribunal Appeal of English Rose Estates Ltd v Menon & Ors. [2022] UKUT 347 (LC), and was similarly instructed in a recent Court of Appeal case involving forfeiture which eventually settled.

Hugh regularly appears in both the Residential Property and Land Registration divisions of the First-tier Tribunal. His recent published successful trials – covering areas such as: challenges to the reasonableness and payability of service charges; terms of enfranchisement; determinations of breach of lease; and, the appointment of a manager – include:

• Leslie Park Court Management Co Ltd v Ilori (LON/00AH/LSC/2025/0786, 17 October 2025)
• Evans v Albermarle Ealing No 1 Ltd (LON/00AJ/LSC/2023/0470, LON/00AJ/LSC/2024/0157 & LON/00AJ/LSL/2024/0502, 12 September 2025)
• Meredith v Birch (CHI/45UC/LSC/2024/0018, 14 March 2025)
• Alcock House RTM Co Ltd v Roger Ashton (LON/00AM/LSC/2024/0233, 25 February 2025). 
• Baker v Leamington Court Management Company Limited (BIR/47UC/LIS/2023/0011, 18 November 2024)
• Baker v Leamington Court Management Company Limited (BIR/47UC/LAM/2023/0001, 20 August 2024)
• Okoye v Grays Inn Capital Limited (LON/00AK/LSC/2023/0480, 19 August 2024)
• Asim v Raja (CHI/21UD/LIS/2023/0005 & J00CR098, 18 July 2024)
• Victoria Road Management (SS17) Limited v Soanes (CAM/00KG/OCE/2023/0017, 14 June 2024)
• Horn v Knighten Street Freehold Company Limited (LON/00BG/LAC/2023/0024, 10 June 2024);
• Foundry Court (Wokingham) Management Limited v McGovern (REF/2022/0629, 31 May 2024)
• Link House – Bow Limited v Var. Leaseholders (LON/00BG/LSC/20230020, 12 December 2023);  
• Gill v Hounslow LB (LON/00AT/HNA/2022/0049, 30 October 2023);
• Bluegates Management Company Limited v Thomas (CHI/43UC/LSC/2023/0062, 6 October 2023);
• Markham v Salanson (CHI/21UD/LIS/2023/0005, 4 September 2023); and,
• Barnet LB v Gabay (LON/00AC/LBC/2022/0077, 20 April 2023).

Hugh is often instructed to advise or appear in County Court and High Court forfeiture proceedings, service charge disputes, lease renewals under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, dilapidations, breach of covenant matters, and commercial property development disputes.

Hugh recently appeared unled and was successful in a commercial forfeiture appeal in the case of Maduforo v Adil Property Investment (unreported, 22 July 2024). Hugh successfully overturned the decision of the lower Court that there had been an effective tender of rent such as to disentitle the landlord to forfeit the premises.

Hugh also succeeded in recovering a seven-figure sum of arrears for a commercial landlord in West London, and has developed a particular speciality in advising on mixed-use developments. Other recent cases include a dispute over the terms of a rent variation agreement in a North London development, and the role of restrictive covenants in the development of a shopping centre.

Hugh regularly advises and assists in claims concerning terminal dilapidations, injunctions relating to user clauses, and 1954 Act disputes.

Hugh has been instructed in a range of commercial disputes, including breach of contract, construction, rectification, rescission, mistake, and misrepresentation arising out of the Partnership Act 1890, Insolvency Act 1986, Companies Act 2006, including breach of directors’ duties and unfair prejudice petitions.. Hugh is often asked to provide discrete opinions in these matters and has also conducted a number of successful trials in these areas.

Hugh is often instructed to act in associated insolvency disputes, obtaining interim orders, advising in relation to the appointment of administrators, and has recently been instructed in a High Court dispute concerning an alleged transaction at an undervalue. 

Hugh works for a range of clients – from high street firms to multinational corporations.

His recent led work in this area includes:

• Kulkarni v Gwent Holdings Limited [2024] EWHC 1357 (ChD), a ten-day High Court commercial dispute arising out of a Shareholder’s Agreement. Hugh was then instructed on the appeal in the Court of Appeal. He was led by Andrew Butler KC. Hugh also appeared in subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal
• Hugh was instructed as Junior Counsel in the case of Mobile Telecommunications Company KSPC v HRH Prince Hussam Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz al Saud [2025] EWHC 85 (Ch), in which he was led by Geraint Jones KC, Peter Arden KC, and Marc Glover in successfully resisting a bankruptcy petition presented against Prince Hussam on grounds that the Court had no jurisdiction as the Petitioner could not establish ‘residency’ in jurisdiction in the relevant period.

The case was subject to an expedited appeal, giving Hugh and his leaders only four clear days to prepare as Respondents. Nevertheless, the Court of Appeal sided with the Respondents on all points and permission to appeal was refused ([2025] EWCA Civ 681)

• Birch v Meredith (unreported, 9-13 September 2024) led by Nick Isaac KC, a five-day misrepresentation, negligence, and harassment trial concerning a mixed-use development in Arundel. They succeeded on the principal claim and the counterclaim, and secured a 2-year injunction against the Defendant harassing his client. The case involved the interesting finding that a solicitor’s letter requesting access could amount to harassment.
• Hugh was led by Marc Glover in a successful two-day summary judgment application to the High Court in Gupta v Shah [2023] EWHC 540 (Ch), a $14million international commercial fraud claim

Hugh is equally comfortable appearing unled and recently acted:

• For the successful Part 20 Claimants in a four-day High Court trial concerning a dispute over Company shareholdings and a property development in Nottingham, raising questions of proprietary estoppel, constructive trusts, and resulting trusts (Butt v Butt & Ors [2024] EWHC 3222 (Ch)).
• A breach of fiduciary duty claim (England Kabaddi v Dillon (2024)). Hugh appeared for the Claimant throughout and eventually the Defendant was forced to file a Part 14 Notice admitting the claim the week before the trial (listed for three days) was due to commence.
• Instructed to advise on a misrepresentation claim in the High Court worth more than £150,000, and as sole counsel in a series of related ex parte commercial freezing injunctions in the High Court.

Hugh has acted in a range of matters including receivership disputes, consumer protection legislation, and undue influence. He regularly appears in the County Court in possession matters acting for both the mortgagee and mortgagor. Hugh is comfortable advising in a range of mortgage related matters including the validity of charges, and Consumer Credit Act matters.

Hugh was recently instructed a part of a long-running receivership dispute in the High Court, and successfully extended an injunction preventing the Receivers from completing a contract for sale in exceptional circumstances.

Having gained detailed experience in this area under the supervision of enfranchisement expert, Piers Harrison, Hugh is comfortable being instructed as a junior or sole counsel in this area and has previously been instructed in proceedings involving the validity of notices and valuation claims.

Hugh is a co-author of both Right to Manage: Law and Practice (Wildy, Simmonds & Hill, due in 2026); and, Tanfield on Enfranchisement (Lexis Nexis, due in 2026)

Hugh is happy to advise on a range of topics in this area, from the applicability of the relevant Acts to the assignment of the benefit of notices. Hugh regularly appears in the County Court in particular in disputes under Chapter I and II of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, Part I of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967; and, Part I of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.

Hugh has developed a particular niche in advising on issues arising out of the Building Safety 2022 Act.  Hugh regularly advises on all matters relating to the Building Safety Act 2022, including qualification criteria, (principal) accountable persons, and remediation (contribution) orders. 

He has appeared in the Court of Appeal (acting Pro Bono) in Adriatic Land 5 Ltd v Long Leaseholders at Hippersley Point [2025] EWCA Civ 856; [2025] H.L.R. 43 earlier this year, led by Mark Loveday. Hugh was also led by Andrew Butler KC in Wilson v HB (SWA) Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 1360 | [2025] 4 W.L.R. 114, a key case concerning what damages can be recovered in relation to defects in a residential development.

Together with a number of members of Chambers, Hugh is the editor and a co-author of the second edition of Building Safety Act 2022; A Guide for Property Lawyers (Wildy & Sons, 2026) having previously contributed to the first edition. Hugh has given a number of lectures on topics and issues arising out of the 2022 Act and is also a contributor to Dovar and Sawtell on the Building Safety Act (Sweet & Maxwell, 2025).

Hugh has been instructed to advise on a number of discrete issues in this area including in relation to the powers of executors and administrators. Hugh has repeatedly advised disputes concerning the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975.

Hugh was instructed as sole counsel in a three-day County Court trial in front of HHJ Johns KC concerning allegations of fraud concerning the deceased’s estate (Maduforo v Adil Property Investment (unreported, 22 July 2024). Hugh successfully represented the executors in defending allegations of misrepresentation, deceit, and unjust enrichment.

Hugh regularly advises on matters connected with the administration of estates in particular where there is a property aspect to the dispute.

Hugh regularly advises on a wide range of insolvency disputes, such as Company Voluntary Arrangements, Receiverships, and Bankruptcy petitions.

Hugh specialises in the intersection between insolvency and other matters, such as property, probate, and commercial contracts. As a result of this, Hugh was instructed as junior counsel in the case of Mobile Telecommunications Company KSPC v HRH Prince Hussam Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz al Saud [2025] EWHC 85 (Ch), in which he was led by Geraint Jones KC, Peter Arden KC, and Marc Glover in successfully resisting a bankruptcy petition presented against Prince Hussam on grounds that the Court had no jurisdiction as the Petitioner could not establish ‘residency’ in jurisdiction in the relevant period.

The case was subject to an expedited appeal, giving Hugh and his leaders only four clear days to prepare as Respondents. Nevertheless, the Court of Appeal sided with the Respondents on all points and permission to appeal was refused ([2025] EWCA Civ 681).

Hugh is happy to accept instructions in any matters of professional negligence related to property or commercial disputes and often advises on professional negligence in the context of failed property transactions.

Hugh is happy to advise on both quantum and liability in relation to such disputes and often acts for insurers in that regard. For example, Hugh recently advised on a seven-figure claim relating to a failed enfranchisement.