James regularly acts for claimants and defendants and their insurers when allegations of fundamental dishonesty or wider fraud are alleged. He has experience in RTA and EL/PL claims of: staged accidents; phantom passenger claims; LVI, and dishonest or exaggerated injury or loss claims after genuine accidents; and dishonest credit hire claims.

Recent work includes:

  • Securing a finding of fundamental dishonesty for a defendant against all three claimants, who were the driver and passengers respectively, of a vehicle involved in very low speed collision with the defendant’s vehicle. The DCJ for Bristol described all three claims as being tainted by ‘root and branch’ fundamental dishonesty.
  • Acting for occupiers or employers in cases where the claimant is said to have deliberately staged or manufactured an accident at work or on the premises.
  • Acting successfully for two claimants at trial where a phantom passenger defence was raised.
  • Qualifications:

    • LLB (Hons) (Nottingham University) –  Law with European Law (2010)
    • BPTC, College of Law (2011)
    • LLM, Bristol University (2012)
    • Erasmus Scholar
    • Nottingham University Mooting Competition and Law Graduates’ Association Moot Prize Winner
    • Westlaw UK Mooting Competition Winner (judged by Jackson LJ)
    • Lord Justice Jackson’s Award for Best Submissions at Westlaw UK Moot Final
    • National Mock Trial Competition Semi-Finalist
    • Herbert Smith Mooting Competition Winner (Bristol University, judged by Lord Kerr, Supreme Court Justice)
  • Professional memberships:

    • Personal Injury Bar Association
    • Western Circuit
  • James Hughes is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.