MEET:
Hugh Southey QC
"There is no lawyer in the UK who works harder. He is a top-quality barrister and extremely down to earth and direct, which makes clients and solicitors love him."
Chambers & Partners 2021
Hugh Southey has led at all levels up to and including the Supreme Court as well as in the Privy Council, European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. In particular he has led in 26 hearings before the Supreme Court. These hearings have covered topics as diverse and important as European Union citizenship, the system of disclosure of criminal convictions and the extent of the common law right to a fair hearing.
Hugh specialises in public law in a wide range of fields including human rights, immigration, crime, extradition, mental health, terrorism (including TPIMs and the Special Immigration Appeals Commission), inquests, discrimination, privacy and elections. Hugh litigates public law and human rights arguments both in judicial review proceedings and civil claims. Hugh also appears in criminal appeals and Court of Protection matters.
Hugh advises a range of clients including national institutions, corporate clients, trades unions and individuals.
Hugh has litigated and advised in a number of jurisdictions outside England and Wales including Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos.
Hugh is an A-Panel member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Panel of Preferred Counsel.
Hugh is a Deputy High Court Judge and a Recorder who sits in the Crown Court. He is also an Acting Justice of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.
Hugh is called in Northern Ireland.
Hugh is an author of Judicial Review: A Practical Guide (LexisNexis) as well as founding editor of the United Kingdom Human Rights Reports.
Since being called to the Bar Hugh has written regularly on public law and human rights. He recently wrote (with Amanda Weston, Jude Bunting and Raj Desai) Judicial Review: A Practical Guide (3rd Edition). He also edited (with Lord Justice Fulford) the United Kingdom Human Rights Reports. He wrote (again with Lord Justice Fulford) A Criminal Practitioners Guide to Judicial Review and Case Stated. He wrote chapters in Human Rights in the Investigation and Prosecution of Crime and Judicial Review: Law and Practice.
16 October 2019 – Justice Human Rights Conference – Human Rights and Criminal Justice
26 September 2019 – IBA Seoul – ‘Stateless children: orphanage tourism’
8 November 2018 – Matrix – Sports immigration following Brexit
24 May 2018 – Human Rights Lawyers Association – Immigration detention
21 March 2017 – Defence Extradition Lawyers’ Forum – Extradition and Immigration Law
Admitted as a solicitor in 1991 but transferred to the Bar in 1996. As a solicitor Hugh headed the immigration and crime department at Glazer Delmar and assisted the firm to become one of the first firms to obtain a Legal Aid franchise.
ILPA, Association of Prison Lawyers, Administrative Law Bar Association, Mental Health Lawyers Association, Human Rights Lawyers Association, Legal Action, Liberty, Justice, Amnesty International.
Hugh is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. In order to provide legal services to my clients, including advice and representation services, Hugh needs to collect and hold personal data. This includes his client’s personal data and the personal data of others who feature in the matter upon which he is instructed. To read Hugh’s privacy notice in full, please see here.
"One of the leading practitioners in prison law. Vast experience and encyclopaedic knowledge of the cases in that field. An engaging advocate to whom the court will listen."
"An incredibly thorough analyst of material who provides very clear and precise written work."
"Hugh’s breadth of experience in criminal justice issues gives him a unique perspective and very diverse knowledge base."
"He is a very creative lawyer who is fearless, and fights relentlessly for clients. He is very impressive and rated highly." "Produces high-quality work quickly and thoroughly, in a very compelling and persuasive way. He is very experienced and hard-working, and is well respected by the judiciary."
"He is a very creative and fearless lawyer who fights relentlessly for his clients." "Hugh is very sharp, always on top of his brief and is very responsive."
"He's very creative and fearless, and will fight relentlessly for his clients." "The most approachable and down-to-earth silk you will come across."
"He is quite creative and bold in the points he takes."
"An incredibly thorough analyst of material and very clear and precise written work."
"Sharp, responsive and always on top of his brief."
"Brilliant; he is such a specialist in what he does, he’s logical in court and he’s fantastic with the clients."
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE:
- Crime
- Health and Safety
- Proceeds of Crime and Asset Forfeiture
- Protest Law
- Regulatory Offences
- Sanctions
- EU Law
- Extradition and Mutual Assistance
- Civil Liberties and Human Rights
- Immigration, Asylum and Free Movement
- Investigations
- Public International Law
- Public Law
- Sports Law
- Police, Inquests and Prison
- Health and Social Care (including welfare benefits)
- Commercial Public Law
+44 (0)20 7404 3447
"There is no lawyer in the UK who works harder. He is a top-quality barrister and extremely down to earth and direct, which makes clients and solicitors love him."
Chambers & Partners 2021
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Community Care Law
- Crime
- Health and Safety
- Proceeds of Crime and Asset Forfeiture
- Protest Law
- Regulatory Offences
- Sanctions
- Discrimination and Equality
- EU Law
- Extradition and Mutual Assistance
- Healthcare, Mental Health and Mental Capacity
- Civil Liberties and Human Rights
- Immigration, Asylum and Free Movement
- Inquests and Inquiries
- Investigations
- Police Law
- Prison Law
- Public International Law
- Public Law
- Sports Law
- Police, Inquests and Prison
- Health and Social Care (including welfare benefits)
- Commercial Public Law
Hugh Southey QC
Contact Hugh: hughsouthey@matrixlaw.co.uk | +44 (0)20 7404 3447
Contact Hugh's Practice Team (Team X): TeamX@matrixlaw.co.uk
Hugh Southey has led at all levels up to and including the Supreme Court as well as in the Privy Council, European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. In particular he has led in 26 hearings before the Supreme Court. These hearings have covered topics as diverse and important as European Union citizenship, the system of disclosure of criminal convictions and the extent of the common law right to a fair hearing.
Hugh specialises in public law in a wide range of fields including human rights, immigration, crime, extradition, mental health, terrorism (including TPIMs and the Special Immigration Appeals Commission), inquests, discrimination, privacy and elections. Hugh litigates public law and human rights arguments both in judicial review proceedings and civil claims. Hugh also appears in criminal appeals and Court of Protection matters.
Hugh advises a range of clients including national institutions, corporate clients, trades unions and individuals.
Hugh has litigated and advised in a number of jurisdictions outside England and Wales including Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos.
Hugh is an A-Panel member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Panel of Preferred Counsel.
Hugh is a Deputy High Court Judge and a Recorder who sits in the Crown Court. He is also an Acting Justice of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.
Hugh is called in Northern Ireland.
Hugh is an author of Judicial Review: A Practical Guide (LexisNexis) as well as founding editor of the United Kingdom Human Rights Reports.
Publications
Since being called to the Bar Hugh has written regularly on public law and human rights. He recently wrote (with Amanda Weston, Jude Bunting and Raj Desai) Judicial Review: A Practical Guide (3rd Edition). He also edited (with Lord Justice Fulford) the United Kingdom Human Rights Reports. He wrote (again with Lord Justice Fulford) A Criminal Practitioners Guide to Judicial Review and Case Stated. He wrote chapters in Human Rights in the Investigation and Prosecution of Crime and Judicial Review: Law and Practice.Speaking Events and Training, Seminars
16 October 2019 – Justice Human Rights Conference – Human Rights and Criminal Justice 26 September 2019 – IBA Seoul – ‘Stateless children: orphanage tourism’ 8 November 2018 – Matrix – Sports immigration following Brexit 24 May 2018 – Human Rights Lawyers Association – Immigration detention 21 March 2017 – Defence Extradition Lawyers’ Forum – Extradition and Immigration LawOther Relevant Information
Admitted as a solicitor in 1991 but transferred to the Bar in 1996. As a solicitor Hugh headed the immigration and crime department at Glazer Delmar and assisted the firm to become one of the first firms to obtain a Legal Aid franchise.Memberships and Societies
ILPA, Association of Prison Lawyers, Administrative Law Bar Association, Mental Health Lawyers Association, Human Rights Lawyers Association, Legal Action, Liberty, Justice, Amnesty International.Hugh's Privacy Notice
Hugh is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. In order to provide legal services to my clients, including advice and representation services, Hugh needs to collect and hold personal data. This includes his client’s personal data and the personal data of others who feature in the matter upon which he is instructed. To read Hugh’s privacy notice in full, please see here.
DIRECTORY RECOMMENDATIONS
"One of the leading practitioners in prison law. Vast experience and encyclopaedic knowledge of the cases in that field. An engaging advocate to whom the court will listen."
"An incredibly thorough analyst of material who provides very clear and precise written work."
"Hugh’s breadth of experience in criminal justice issues gives him a unique perspective and very diverse knowledge base."
"He is a very creative lawyer who is fearless, and fights relentlessly for clients. He is very impressive and rated highly." "Produces high-quality work quickly and thoroughly, in a very compelling and persuasive way. He is very experienced and hard-working, and is well respected by the judiciary."
"He is a very creative and fearless lawyer who fights relentlessly for his clients." "Hugh is very sharp, always on top of his brief and is very responsive."
"He's very creative and fearless, and will fight relentlessly for his clients." "The most approachable and down-to-earth silk you will come across."
"He is quite creative and bold in the points he takes."
"An incredibly thorough analyst of material and very clear and precise written work."
"Sharp, responsive and always on top of his brief."
"Brilliant; he is such a specialist in what he does, he’s logical in court and he’s fantastic with the clients."