Hugh Preston QC
Year of call
1994
Silk
2012
Instructing Hugh Preston QC
For more information please contact our clerks by calling +44 (0)20 7242 3555.
Hugh Preston QC (ranked as a “Star Individual” by Chambers & Partners 2021) is a leading silk in the fields of clinical negligence, personal injury, consumer law and product liability and has particular expertise in all aspects of group litigation.
He was awarded the title “Barrister of the Year” at the PI Awards 2013 and was shortlisted for Barrister of the Year at The Lawyer awards in 2017. He is ranked as a leading silk in clinical negligence and product liability by Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 (Tier 1 in the Legal 500, and “Star Individual” in Chambers & Partners).
Hugh’s clinical negligence practice involves complex and maximum severity claims on behalf of Claimants. He is regularly instructed in complex birth injury claims involving all aspects of antenatal and neonatal care including failures to respond to CTG indications, excessive bilirubin levels leading to kernicterus, chronic partial and acute asphyxia cases and all aspects of obstetric, midwifery and neonatal management. He also has particular expertise in clinical negligence claims involving medical devices and is currently instructed in the TVT/TOT/TVM Mesh Implant (Consent) arising from allegations of inadequate advice when obtaining consent to vaginal mesh implantations.
Hugh has been instructed in the highest profile medical device group actions in recent years including the PIP Breast Implant litigation, the Pinnacle Metal Hip Implant litigation and several other metal hip group actions. He is currently instructed by Leigh Day in a large group of claims arising from BIA-ALCL cancer caused by textured breast implants.
He has longstanding wide experience of all aspects of personal injury litigation including historic sexual and physical abuse (particularly group actions involving child abuse and claims against religious and state institutions), claims arising from overseas accidents in the private security industry involved in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the full range of maximum severity claims.
Hugh is also instructed in a wide variety of commercial and consumer contract disputes including consumer credit, sale of goods, supply of services and claims under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. He is currently instructed in litigation arising from University industrial action concerning a dispute as to whether a statutory right to a refund arises. He advises both commercial and consumer clients on force majeure clauses and contractual issues arising from the coronavirus / covid 19 emergency.
Hugh will be speaking at the ‘Limitation in Historic Abuse Claims – A Guide for PI Lawyers‘ webinar, hosted by MBL on 23 April 2021, to book your tickets, please click here.
He will also be speaking on ‘Group Litigation – Strategy & Costs Pitfalls‘ on the 9 June. To book your tickets, please click here.
Hugh is qualified to accept instructions directly from clients and is registered under the Bar Council’s Public Access Scheme, meaning that members of the public who seek specialist advice can come direct to him. In addition, he welcomes instructions from solicitors, in-house law departments, qualified foreign lawyers, and clients licensed by the Bar Council to give instructions direct to barristers under the Bar Council’s Licensed Access Scheme. For more information please visit our Direct Access page here.
Legal Expertise
Clinical Negligence
Clinical Negligence
Hugh is ranked as a leading silk in clinical negligence by Chambers and Partners 2021 and Legal 500 2021, where he is described “Terrifically able … a clear-minded and highly intelligent barrister” and “has good communication skills, a great depth of knowledge and good attention to detail”.
He is regularly instructed in complex birth injury claims involving all aspects of antenatal and neonatal care including failures to respond to CTG indications, excessive bilirubin levels leading to kernicterus, chronic partial and acute asphyxia cases and all aspects of obstetric, midwifery and neonatal management.
He also instructed in cases involving novel legal and complex legal issues, e.g. in 2017 a ground-breaking HIV misdiagnosis claim involving an alleged duty of care to wider family members (F S & D v University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust [2017]).
He has particular expertise in clinical negligence claims involving medical devices and is currently instructed in the TVT/TOT/TVM Mesh Implant (Consent) Litigation, a large group of claims arising from allegations of inadequate advice when obtaining consent to vaginal mesh implantations for treatment of stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
Hugh also receives instructions from overseas in clinical negligence claims including the Isle of Man and further afield.
He has a particular strength in putting clients at their ease, and explaining the issues arising throughout the case at a pace and in terms that are appropriate to the client.
Notable Clinical Negligence cases
SXM v North West Anglia Healthcare NHS Trust (2020)
Failure to diagnose significant placenta previa leading to vaginal delivery of brain damaged claimant following acute hypoxic insult the precise timing of which was unknown. Issue as to whether competent management of placenta previa issue would have led to earlier delivery and if so whether brain damage would have been avoided. Instructed by Bolt Burdon Kemp. Liability resolved 2020.
ABC v Calderdale Royal Hospital (2019)
Failure to delivery claimant by urgent caesarean section following hypoxic insult. Claimant has dyskinetic cerebral palsy and maximum severity injuries. Settled in 2019 for lump sum equivalent of £15m. Instructed by Irwin Mitchell.
IS v North Bristol NHS Trust (2020)
Claimant suffered IVH during first few days of life as a consequence of negligent management leading to ventricular dilatation and long-term neurological damage. Complex causation issues. Instructed by Thompsons.
TVT/TOT Mesh Implant (Consent) Litigation (2020)
Large number of claims managed by Master Cook alleging failure to give appropriate advice as to risks of vaginal mesh implant surgery for treatment of stress urinary incontinence / pelvic organ prolapse.
Sanderson v Guy’s and Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (2019)
Claim arising from delay in delivery following fetal bradycardia leading to severe long term brain damage. Trial in November 2019. Instructed by Simpson Millar.
ABC v Whipps Cross University Hospitals NHS Trust (2018)
Neonatal injury as a result of elevated bilirubin levels left untreated leading to permanent severe brain damage.
CCC v Wrightinton, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust (2018)
Severe brain damage following failure to respond to CTG trace and excessive dosage of Syntocinon.
ABC v Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust (2017)
Complex high value birth injury claim liability disputed. Settled in 2017 for lump sum equivalent of £12.8m.
F, S & D v United Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (2017)
Failure to screen pregnant mother for HIV, resulting in vertical transmission to child D during birth and delayed diagnosis for husband and son (both already HIV positive). Novel issue as to whether Trust owed duty of care to family members who were not its patients. Settlement in 2017.
Pace v Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Foundation Trust (2020)
Unusual complex causation claim. Negligent treatment of neck fracture leaving claimant vulnerable to trauma in the neck, followed by road accident a year later in which claimant then suffered cord damage to neck leading to maximum severity injury injuries. Issue as to whether defendant liable for consequences of road accident.
ABC v Basildon & Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2019)
Birth injury cerebral palsy claim, Claimant born severely acidotic. High value claim. Settlement 2019.
Personal Injury
Personal Injury
Hugh is ranked as a leading silk by Chambers and Partners 2021, where he is described as “terrifically able” and a “very compelling advocate … you don’t want to be against him”.
He is also ranked as a leading silk in Legal 500 2021, where he is described as “very practical, pragmatic and hard working”.
Hugh has longstanding wide experience of personal injury litigation involving maximum severity claims, head injuries, stroke victims and the full range of health and safety litigation.
He has particular expertise in historic child sexual and physical abuse litigation, and is currently instructed in two major group actions in this field against alleged abuse over many years at Roman Catholic affiliated educational institutions in the 1970s and 1980s. Hugh has particular strengths in handling the difficult issues that arise in such cases with sensitivity and tact, and is able to put clients at their ease.
Hugh also has a background in litigation resulting from accidents abroad in the private security industry operating in international conflict zones e.g. Iraq/Afghanistan.
Notable Personal Injury cases
St William's Group Litigation (ongoing)
Large group action involving c. 300 claims of serious sexual and physical abuse at a Catholic approved school in the 1960s - 1980s. Court of Appeal ruling on limitation (2018). Individual cases currently proceeding at the Leeds District Registry following the resolution of preliminary issues at the Supreme Court.
Kenyan Emergency Group Litigation
Instructed on behalf of a cohort of Kenyan Claimants in this ongoing GLO, claiming damages for personal injury suffered in Kenya in the 1950s.
Manchester Children’s Homes (ongoing)
Application for third consecutive group action involving multiple claims of historic sexual abuse.
St. Anne’s Group Litigation (ongoing)
Large group action involving allegations of historic child sexual abuse at Catholic primary school.
Baker v Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust (2016)
Blindness claim following industrial accident at hospital involving hazardous substances.
Williamson v Armorgroup (2014)
Claim against private security company following psychiatric injuries sustained during mortar attack in Iraq.
McKenna v Drayton Construction Ltd (2013)
£1m+ eye injury industrial accident.
Ahmed v Ministry of Defence & Kellogg Brown & Root (2013)
Claim against MOD and private security company involving allegation of injuries sustained in Afghanistan.
Cardy v Erinys (Iraq) Ltd (2012)
£1.6m claim against private security company following injuries sustained on convoy protection work in Iraq.
O'Byrne v Aventis Pasteur C-358/08, [2010] UKSC 23
The only case under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 ever to have reached either the ECJ or Supreme Court. Landmark ruling on interpretation of the EC Directive / CPA / product liability limitation.
Smith v Northamptonshire County Council [2009] UKHL 27
Leading House of Lords case on PUWER 1998 and the EC Work Equipment Directive.
Hodges v Northamptonshire County Council [2004] EWCA Civ 526
Court of Appeal judgment concerning date of knowledge of injury for limitation purposes in historic sexual abuse claim.
Product Liability
Product Liability
Hugh is ranked as a “Star Individual” in product liability by Chambers and Partners 2021, where he is described as “terrifically able” and a “very compelling advocate … you don’t want to be against him”.
He is also ranked as a tier 1 leading silk in product liability in the Legal 500 2021, where he is described as “very practical, pragmatic and hard working”.
Hugh has longstanding expertise in product liability litigation having been involved in some of the highest profile group actions involving medical devices in recent years. He represented the claimants in the PIP Breast Implant Litigation (concluded in Supreme Court 2019), the DePuy Pinnacle Metal on Metal Hip Litigation (14 week trial in 2017-18) and several other metal hip groups including Adept, BHR Resurfacing and combination hip prostheses. He is currently instructed by Leigh Day in a large group of claims arising from BIA-ALCL cancer caused by textured breast implants.
He is currently instructed in the transvaginal POP Mesh group litigation and in the continuing DePuy ASR hip litigation.
He has previously been instructed in the VW carbon emissions litigation and in numerous individual product liability claims. An example of his current work in a single product liability case is a continuing fatality claim arising from a helicopter crash in the North Sea, involving complex jurisdictional and applicable law issues. Hugh has a particular interest in cross-border product liability litigation having been involved in two recent landmark decisions in this field involving ASR hip claimants from New Zealand and South Africa bringing claims in England against an English defendant.
Before taking silk Hugh appeared in the ECJ in O’Byrne v Aventis Pasteur, a major product liability ruling, subsequently returning to the Supreme Court in 2010. This was the first product liability claim under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 ever to have reached this level.
Hugh is a former contributing editor to Miller’s Product Liability and Safety Encyclopaedia.
Notable Product Liability cases
BIA-ALCL textured breast implant litigation (ongoing)
Large group of claims involving BIA-ALCL cancer injuries following supply and implantation of textured breast implants.
Depuy Pinnacle Metal on Metal Hip Litigation (2018)
Seminal product liability case before Andrews J. - 14-week trial involving comprehensive review of the law relating to defect and causation in claims under the Consumer Protection Act 1987. Instructed by GLO Lead Solicitor.
PIP Breast Implant Litigation (2019)
Large group action arising from the supply of defective silicone breast implants manufactured by PIP in France. Damages claimed in breach of contract from various private cosmetic surgery clinics.
Finsbury Adept group litigation (2019)
Instructed for the claimants in multiple claims alleging defective hip implants.
Birmingham Hip Resurfacing group litigation (2018)
Instructed for the claimants in multiple claims alleging defective hip implants.
Combination Hip Prosthesis group litigation (2018)
Instructed for the claimants in multiple claims in which unauthorised combinations of hip components were used. Issue as to whether NHS Trust in assembling hip prostheses in these circumstances was a producer of a product.
Transvaginal POP Mesh Litigation (ongoing)
Instructed by large number of women in campaign group Sling the Mesh. Group litigation alleging defective/unfit for purpose vaginal mesh products used for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.
PIP Breast Implant Litigation (ongoing)
Major product liability group action concerning defective breast implants. Ongoing costs issues now before the Supreme Court following settlements/judgments in 2016 and Court of Appeal ruling in 2018. Instructed by GLO Lead Solicitor.
DePuy ASR Hip Implant Group Litigation (ongoing)
Instructed for the claimants in multiple claims from claimants in the UK and elsewhere in the EU, alleging defective hip implants under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
Biomet AES Ankle Litigation (2016)
Multiple claims alleging defective ankle prostheses.
Allen & Others v Depuy International Ltd [2014] EWHC 753 (QB)
Landmark ruling as to territorial scope of Consumer Protection Act 1987, and as to applicable law in cross border product liability claims. Further judgment in 2015 concerning effect of New Zealand law provisions in cross-border claims.
Allen & Others v Depuy International Ltd (2013)
Dismissal of defendant’s application to contest jurisdiction for ASR hip claims brought in England by overseas claimants.
O’Byrne v Aventis Pasteur C-358/08, [2010] UKSC 23
Landmark ruling at Supreme Court following ECJ reference as to interpretation of EC Directive & Consumer Protection Act 1987 / limitation.
Consumer Contract
Consumer Contract
Hugh is ranked as a leading silk by Chambers and Partners 2021 and Legal 500, where he is described as “terrifically able” and a “very compelling advocate … you don’t want to be against him”.
Hugh has longstanding expertise in all aspects of consumer contract law and has been involved in some of the highest profile actions in this field. He represented the claimants in the PIP Breast Implant Litigation (concluded in Supreme Court 2019) in which claims were made for damages in breach of contract relying upon statutory implied terms. He is currently instructed by Leigh Day in a large group of claims arising from BIA-ALCL cancer caused by textured breast implants, claiming damages in breach of contract relying upon statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
He has previously been instructed in the VW carbon emissions litigation and in numerous individual contractual claims.
He is currently involved in litigation involving cancelled goods and services as a result of industrial strike action by university lecturers and whether a right to a partial refund arises.
He is currently advising both commercial and consumer clients as to contractual disputes and statutory and legal rights and claims for refunds as a result of cancelled goods and services caused by the Covid-19 / Coronavirus national emergency (e.g. school fees disputes, Force Majeure clauses, holiday cancellations and corporate events cancellations). Hugh is able to give urgent advice by telephone or by video either to solicitors or to non-lawyer clients directly.
Notable Consumer Contract cases
BIA-ALCL textured breast implant litigation (ongoing)
Large group of claims involving BIA-ALCL cancer injuries following supply and implantation of textured breast implants. Claims in breach of contract under Consumer Rights Act 2015.
PIP Breast Implant Litigation (2019)
Large group action arising from the supply of defective silicone breast implants manufactured by PIP in France. Damages claimed in breach of contract from various private cosmetic surgery clinics. Supreme Court hearing June 2019.
University Strikes / Industrial Action Refund Litigation (ongoing)
Issue as to whether entitlement to a refund arises following cancellation of tuition services as a result of academic staff industrial action.
Baybut and others v Eccle Riggs County Park Ltd (Ch D) (2006)
Large group action concluding with trial of test cases at Liverpool District Registry in breach of contract claims by holiday caravan owners against holiday park relying upon contractual implied terms, and challenges to park standard terms under Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.
Commercial
Commercial
Hugh is ranked as a leading silk by Chambers and Partners 2021 and Legal 500, where he is described as “terrifically able” and a “very compelling advocate … you don’t want to be against him”.
Hugh has longstanding expertise in all aspects of commercial litigation.
He is currently advising both commercial and consumer clients as to contractual disputes and statutory and legal rights and claims for refunds as a result of cancelled goods and services caused by the Covid-19 / Coronavirus national emergency (e.g. Force Majeure clauses and corporate events cancellations). Hugh is able to give urgent advice by telephone or by video either to solicitors or to non-lawyer clients directly.
Hugh has particular experience of civil fraud and commercial contract disputes including construction disputes.
Notable Commercial cases
Re. STU (2020)
Urgent advice to commercial events organiser concerning Force Majeure contractual clauses and rights and remedies under commercial events contract as a result of Covid-19 / Coronavirus national emergency / pandemic.
Polypearl Ltd v E.ON Energy Solutions Ltd (2017)
£9m commercial contract dispute
Polypearl Ltd v BRE Scotland (ongoing).
£5m contract / breach of confidence dispute
Muthana v Yafai (2012)
Trial at Leeds DR and Court of Appeal. £5m+ partnership dispute on behalf of Yemeni client involving allegations of dishonesty.
Court of Protection
Court of Protection
Hugh specialises in complex cases involving all aspects of healthcare, including controversial mental health issues. He has a particular interest in decisions involving clinical treatment and welfare decisions on behalf of individuals who lack capacity by reason of mental capacity, thus involving the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and on behalf of children, having regard to the Children Act 1989 and the inherent jurisdiction. This includes end of life decisions and decisions regarding withdrawal of treatment. His wider practice includes the most complex brain injury cases including birth injury claims and adult brain damage cases.
Instructing Hugh Preston QC
For more information please contact our clerks by calling +44 (0)20 7242 3555.
For help or advice please call +44 (0)20 7242 3555 or complete the form below
A member of the Clerking team will help you resolve your request.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have an out of hours number?
Yes, please call Chambers mainline number +44 (0)20 7242 3555 and you will be directed to the out of hours phone lines.
How can I find out whether 7BR can take my case?
As a direct access client, please visit our direct access page and complete the initial form, a member of the clerking team will then be in touch to discuss the next steps.
Will my barrister deal with all the correspondence?
Some barristers have the ability to “conduct litigation” for direct access clients. Our clerks will be able to assist you as to which of our members are trained and accredited to do so.
How do I instruct a barrister?
Please visit our direct access page for the initial steps on instructing a barrister, or contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7242 3555.