Anna Hughes

Call 2008

“an opponent worthy of the utmost respect”

Legal 500 2024

Expertise

Anna was nominated by Chambers & Partners as Clinical Negligence Junior of the year 2021 and is described by Chambers UK as “an excellent advocate” and “an outstanding junior with unbeatable stamina” and by the Legal 500 2025 as a “fantastic advocate with excellent attention to detail”.

Anna’s in-depth knowledge and experience of a vast array of clinical negligence claims, both as a junior and in her own right, means that she is regularly instructed in very high value, complex cases. A skilled advocate, she regularly appears in Court on clinical negligence matters and has won praise for her superb cross-examination skills. Anna has experience of drafting pleadings and advising in relation to a wide variety of medical claims. In particular, her detailed approach and excellent understanding of quantum issues mean that she is often instructed to assist leading counsel to produce counter schedules in multi-million-pound disputes.

Notable Clinical Negligence cases


Spellman v Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust [2024] EWHC 2011 (KB)

Anna successfully represented the Defendant in this high value claim arising out of an alleged failure to diagnose cauda equina compression.


Beatty v Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust [2023] EWHC 3163 (KB)

Anna successfully represented the Defendant in this high value claim arising out of alleged negligence on the part of a vascular surgeon.


Nicholson v Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust (March 2022)

Following Anna’s cross-examination of the Claimant’s lead expert, this case was discontinued on day 2 of a 5-day Trial.


Vafiadis v Eaton (December 2021) High Court

Anna successfully secured a discontinuance of the claim on day two of Trial following her cross-examination of the Claimant in this claim relating to an alleged delay in investigating prostate cancer.


Howard v Isle of Wight NHS Trust & Others (October 2021) Winchester County Court

Anna successfully represented the Defendant Trust in this complex dispute involving an alleged delay in performing spinal surgery.


Paul v Falworth (July 2021) Watford County Court

Anna successfully represented the Defendant orthopaedic surgeon in a claim arising out of shoulder arthroscopy.


Brady v Southend University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2020] EWHC 158 (QB)

Anna successfully represented the Defendant Trust in this liability only Trial arising out of an alleged failure to diagnose and treat actinomycosis.

Anna is recommended by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 in the field of personal injury. In the most recent editions she is described as a “an effective opponent” and “a hard negotiator who comes prepared to argue her corner vigorously.”

Anna’s practice combines advisory work, drafting and advocacy in a broad range of personal injury cases in both the High Court and the County Courts. Not only is she well versed in employers’ liability, occupiers’ liability, and highway claims, but she also has considerable experience of disease claims. Her keen eye for detail and unflappable manner mean that she is highly sought after by insurers to act in road traffic claims involving serious allegations of fraud, both in relation to liability and in relation to the injuries suffered. She has successfully represented insurers in committal proceedings relating to fraudulent claims.

Experience in Fatal Accidents Act claims has meant that, in addition to Court work, Anna is often instructed to appear at Inquests in personal injury matters.

Notable Personal Injury cases


Vakharia v Bukowski [2022] EWHC 673 (QB)

Anna was led by Ben Browne KC in this liability only dispute relating to the standards expected of drivers on smart motorways. Anna represented the Polish insurer.


Jamil v Fairgap Ltd & Others (2021) Central London County Court

Anna successfully represented a Defendant lift maintenance company in a case where the Claimant alleged he suffered a hip fracture as a result of having to escape from a broken lift.


Williams v Royal Borough of Greenwich (2019) High Court

Anna represented the Defendant Council who were being sued in relation to care proceedings involving the Claimant’s children. Anna was successful in having the claim struck out.


RSA v Fahad (2015) & [2014] EWHC 4480 (QB), High Court, Queen's Bench Division

Anna successfully represented the Applicant insurance company in committal proceedings brought against the Respondent, who was found to be in contempt of court as a result of staging a road traffic accident with his then partner. The Respondent was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Anna represented the Insurer at both the permission stage and the final hearing.

Anna is recommended by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 for her work in this area as “impressive and down to earth” and “a really tough negotiator who gives no quarter but is very fair.”

Anna’s expertise in this area encompasses not only Package Holiday claims, but also claims involving foreign law and jurisdictional disputes. She is currently instructed in a number of claims relating to medical treatment provided abroad and is being led by Ben Browne KC representing a Polish insurer in a high value road traffic claim involving multiple parties from various countries.

Notable Travel & Private International Law cases


Cummings v BCA Co Ltd. High Court

Anna, led by Howard Palmer KC, acted on behalf of a Chinese Airline in this claim in which a pilot sought damages for injuries he sustained on a bus to the airport in China.


Vakharia v Bukowski [2022] EWHC 673 (QB)

Anna was led by Ben Browne KC in this liability only dispute relating to the standards expected of drivers on smart motorways. Anna represented the Polish insurer.

Anna’s strong background in clinical negligence, personal injury and travel and jurisdiction render her ideally placed to deal with product liability cases that fall within any of those areas. She is recommended by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 where she is described as having “a great style and gets the judge’s ear”, and “an opponent worthy of the utmost respect”.

Her particular interest lies in claims involving liability in respect of medical products and medicines. Anna was instructed as junior counsel for a leading intra-ocular lens manufacturer in relation to litigation concerning alleged opacification of lenses. Anna was also instructed as junior counsel for Corin in the metal-on-metal hip litigation, led by Charles Dougherty KC. She is currently led by Toby Riley-Smith KC of Henderson Chambers acting for the manufacturer of a sterilisation device. Anna is also instructed in the Diesel Emissions litigation on behalf of the BMW Authorised Dealerships.

Notable Product Liability cases


Diesel Emission Litigation (KBD)

Counsel acting for the BMW Authorised Dealerships.


Claims arising from Essure (KBD)

Junior counsel acting for the manufacturer of a permanent contraception implant in a number of claims brought by patients who had the device inserted.


Claims arising from IOLs (QBD)

Junior counsel acting for a leading manufacturer of intra-ocular lenses in a number of claims brought by patients who had the lenses implanted.


The Corin Metal on Metal Hip Litigation GLO (QBD)

Junior counsel acting for a leading manufacturer of metal-on-metal hip prosthesis in a claim brought by patients that received the same.

Anna has a wealth of experience in dealing with large-scale group litigation. She is particularly well-versed in acting for defendants in claims concerning medical products and pharmaceutical claims. She is recognised as a leading junior in this area by the Legal 500 where she is described as “Brilliant. One of the best barristers out there for complex medical devices and pharmaceutical group claims. A great advocate.”

She is currently led by Toby Riley-Smith KC of Henderson Chambers acting for the producers of Essure, a medical sterilisation device. Anna is also instructed in the Diesel Emissions litigation on behalf of the BMW Authorised Dealerships. Anna was instructed as junior counsel for a leading intra-ocular lens manufacturer in relation to litigation concerning alleged opacification of lenses. Anna was also instructed as junior counsel for Corin in the metal-on-metal hip litigation, led by Charles Dougherty KC.

Notable Group Litigation cases


Diesel Emission Litigation (KBD)

Counsel acting for the BMW Authorised Dealerships.


Claims arising from Essure (KBD)

Junior counsel acting for the manufacturer of a permanent contraception implant in a number of claims brought by patients who had the device inserted.


Claims arising from IOLs (QBD)

Junior counsel acting for a leading manufacturer of intra-ocular lenses in a number of claims brought by patients who had the lenses implanted.


The Corin Metal on Metal Hip Litigation GLO (QBD)

Junior counsel acting for a leading manufacturer of metal-on-metal hip prosthesis in a claim brought by patients that received the same.

Significant Cases


Spellman v Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust [2024] EWHC 2011 (KB)

Anna successfully represented the Defendant in this high value claim arising out of an alleged failure to diagnose cauda equina compression.


Beatty v Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust [2023] EWHC 3163 (KB)

Anna successfully represented the Defendant in this high value claim arising out of alleged negligence on the part of a vascular surgeon.


Claims arising from Essure (KBD)

Junior counsel acting for the manufacturer of a permanent contraception implant in a number of claims brought by patients who had the device inserted.


Vakharia v Bukowski [2022] EWHC 673 (QB)

Anna was led by Ben Browne KC in this liability only dispute relating to the standards expected of drivers on smart motorways. Anna represented the Polish insurer.


Nicholson v Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust (March 2022)

Following Anna’s cross-examination of the Claimant’s lead expert, this case was discontinued on day 2 of a 5-day Trial.


Vafiadis v Eaton (December 2021) High Court

Anna successfully secured a discontinuance of the claim on day two of Trial following her cross-examination of the Claimant in this claim relating to an alleged delay in investigating prostate cancer.


Brady v Southend University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2020] EWHC 158 (QB)

Anna successfully represented the Defendant Trust in this liability only Trial arising out of an alleged failure to diagnose and treat actinomycosis.

Privacy Policy

Anna Hughes Privacy Policy

My contact details:

ICO Reg No: Z1899722 
Address: 2 Temple Gardens, London, EC4Y 9AY
Email: clerks@2tg.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7822 1200

The type of personal information I collect

To enable me to provide you with legal advice and representation in courts, tribunals, arbitrations and mediations, I currently collect and process the following personal information:

Personal identifiers, contacts and characteristics (for example, name, date of birth and contact details), bank and financial details, your background and circumstance and education.

Other personal data relevant to, or included in instructions to provide legal services, including data specific to the instructions in question and data included in documents provided to me as part of instructions or otherwise.

Such information may include personal information relating to family members, associates, agents, employees, shareholders or beneficial owners. By providing such personal information to me, you automatically confirm that you are authorised to do so. It is not reasonably practicable for me to provide the information set out in this Privacy Notice to those individuals. Accordingly, where appropriate, you are responsible for providing this information to any such individuals.

Where necessary, I may also need to process Special Category data about you including

  • racial or ethnic origin;
  • personal data revealing political opinions;
  • personal data revealing religious or philosophical beliefs;
  • personal data revealing trade union membership;
  • genetic data;
  • biometric data (where used for identification purposes);
  • data concerning health;
  • data concerning a person’s sex life; and
  • data concerning a person’s sexual orientation.

How I get the personal information and why I have it

Most of the personal information that I process is provided to me directly by you or via the professional you have instructed such as a solicitor or consultant or other professional adviser who instructs me on your behalf to provide legal services.

I use the information that you have given me in order to

  • provide legal services to you, my client, including the provision of legal advice and
  • representation in courts, tribunals, arbitrations, and mediations
  • keep accounting records and carry out office administration
  • take or defend legal or regulatory proceedings or to exercise a lien
  • respond to potential complaints or make complaints
  • check for potential conflicts of interest in relation to future potential cases
  • promote and market my services
  • carry out anti-money laundering and terrorist financing checks
  • train other barristers and pupils, and when providing work-shadowing opportunities
  • publish legal judgments and decisions of courts and tribunals as required or permitted by law.

I may share this information with

  • other professional advisers such as other legal professionals and consultant experts and other witnesses
  • courts and tribunals
  • the staff in my Chambers
  • prosecution authorities
  • pupils and mini pupils
  • lay clients
  • family and associates of the person whose personal information I am processing
  • in the event of complaints, the Head of Chambers, other individuals nominated by Chambers who deal with complaints, the Bar Standards Board, and the Legal Ombudsman
  • other regulatory authorities
  • current, past or prospective employers
  • education and examining bodies
  • business associates, professional advisers and trade bodies, e.g. the Bar Council
  • professional indemnity insurers or brokers
  • the general public in relation to the publication of legal judgments and decisions of courts and tribunals
  • If you have engaged other professional advisers to instruct me on your behalf on the matters on which I am providing legal services to you, I shall assume that I may disclose your personal information to them unless you tell me otherwise.
  • I may be required to provide your information to regulators, such as the Bar Standards Board, the Financial Conduct Authority or the Information Commissioner’s Office. In the case of the Information Commissioner’s Office, there is a risk that your information may lawfully be disclosed by them for the purpose of any other civil or criminal proceedings, without my consent or yours, which includes privileged information.
  • I may also be required to disclose your information to the police or intelligence services, where, acting in good faith, I consider it required and permitted by law.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the lawful basis I rely on for processing this information is

  • The processing is necessary for a contract I have with you, or because you have asked me to take specific steps before entering into a contract.
  • You are able to remove your consent at any time. You can do this by contacting me.
  • It may be necessary for me to share your personal data to comply with legal obligations to, for example, HMRC.

How I store your personal information

Your information is securely stored in Chambers or at my home. I use reasonable technical and organisational security measures such as password protection and encryption of computer generated data and keeping paper data secure to prevent personal information from being accidentally lost or destroyed, or used or accessed in an unauthorised way.

In this connection, Chambers, as data processor, acting on my behalf, will only process your personal data on my instructions and is subject to a duty of confidentiality.

The data will be held in line with any regulatory obligations and generally be kept for 6 years but may be 12 years, or longer where, for example, the case includes information relating to a minor, from the date of completion of instructions. At this point any further retention will be reviewed and the data will be marked for deletion or marked for retention for a further period.

All data will be securely deleted or securely shredded after this time without reference to you. I will store some of your information which I need to carry out conflict checks for the rest of my career. However, this is likely to be limited only to your name and contact details and the name of the case. It will not include any information that is “sensitive information” for GDPR purposes.

Your data protection rights

Under data protection law, you have rights including:

  • Your right of access – You have the right to ask me for copies of your personal information.
  • Your right to rectification – You have the right to ask me to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask me to complete information you think is incomplete.
  • Your right to erasure – You have the right to ask me to erase your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to restriction of processing – You have the right to ask me to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to object to processing – You have the the right to object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to data portability – You have the right to ask that I transfer the personal information you gave us to another organisation, or to you, in certain circumstances.
  • You are not required to pay any charge for exercising your rights. If you make a request, I have one month to respond to you. Please contact me at 2 Temple Gardens, London, EC4Y 9AY or clerks@2tg.co.uk if you wish to make a request.

Transfer of your information outside the European Economic Area (EEA)

This privacy notice is of general application and as such it is not possible to state whether it will be necessary to transfer your information out of the EEA. If I do transfer your personal data I will use safeguards to ensure the data is fully protected as required by the UK Data Protection Regulations.

Changes to my Privacy Policy

From time to time, I may need to make chances to my privacy policy. If so, the changes will appear on my entry on the 2TG website.

Marketing

As above, I may share your personal data with Chambers who may in turn use that data to notify you by email, or post about an invitation to seminars and similar events. You may opt out of receiving any such marketing communications at any time by using the “unsubscribe” link in any emails. In relation to how Chambers uses such data, please see Chambers’ privacy policy. Other than sharing personal data with Chambers as described above, I will not share your information with any other third party for marketing purposes.

How to complain

If you have any concerns about my use of your personal information, you can make a complaint to me or to my Senior Clerk, Lee Tyler at 2 Temple Gardens, London, EC4Y 9AY or clerks@2tg.co.uk. You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how we have used your data.

The ICO’s address:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113
ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk

© Briefed Ltd 2021. All Rights Reserved.

“Anna is fantastic”


Chambers UK 2024

“a formidable advocate”


Chambers UK 2024

“a formidable advocate”


Chambers UK 2024

“Tenacious, diligent and bright.”


Legal 500 2024

"A silk in waiting"


Chambers UK 2023

“Really excellent and very much in demand”


Chambers UK 2023

"She has an effortless style"


Chambers UK 2023

"A smiling assassin with a great brain."


Legal 500 2020

  • BVC (Very Competent), BPP College, London
  • Law (First Class), St Catharine’s College, Cambridge University

  • PNBA
  • PIBA

“Anna has excellent advocacy skills and you know that you are in safe hands in any hearing.” “Anna is always well prepared; she has a great style and gets the judge’s ear.” “Anna is user-friendly, responsive and simply enjoyable to work with.” “Anna is impressive and down to earth.” “She is a really tough negotiator who gives no quarter but is very fair.” “Anna is always a safe pair of hands.” “Anna is an excellent advocate, great with clients and very good in negotiations.” “Anna has a provided invaluable assistance with complex clinical negligence claims and keeps the fight going to achieve fantastic results for the client.” “Anna is an outstanding junior with unbeatable stamina.” “Anna provides detailed and well-balanced advice, good technical insight into medical causation and a measured approach with witnesses.” “She is an effective opponent who is very efficient. Judges like her.” “She is easy to work with and clear in her advice.”
Chambers UK 2025

“Fantastic advocate with excellent attention to detail.” “Brilliant. One of the best barristers out there for complex medical devices and pharmaceutical group claims. A great advocate.” “Anna is known for being very tenacious and our last case was no exception. She is a hard negotiator and always comes prepared to argue her corner vigorously.” “Exceptionally well prepared and always realistic and highly forensic in her approach, charming opponent. Has the ability to turn a judge in her favour on the most challenging points. Always an opponent worthy of the utmost respect.”
Legal 500 2025

“Anna is a formidable advocate. She cuts through to the salient points and will always fight to achieve the best outcome for the client.” “She is technically sound and is good at mastering the detail of cases and focussing on the issues which are important.” “She is extremely bright and combines thoroughness and determination.” “Anna provides very astute and clear advice.” “Anna is a technically excellent and highly skilled advocate who always has the commercial realities in mind.” “Her control and understanding of the figures and amounts involved in a claim is brilliant.” “She is incredibly efficient and is a very powerful advocate. Anna has fantastic judgement and is very quick on the uptake – she is just an absolutely brilliant junior.” “Anna is fantastic. She is responsive and realistic with timescales, which makes it much easier for us to handle our clients and deadlines. She is excellent with witnesses, particularly where they are nervous or new to the claims process.” “She provides excellent strategic advice which is realistic and sensible.” “Anna is a powerful advocate who is very impressive in court.”
Chambers UK 2024

“Anna is an outstanding junior – meticulously prepared, a great advocate, fights her corner firmly but fairly.” “Brilliant. One of the best barristers out there for complex medical devices and pharmaceutical group claims. A great advocate.” “Tenacious, diligent and bright, Anna is renowned for fighting her client’s corner. An excellent up-and-coming Junior.” “Anna is very intelligent with a keen eye for detail. She has a very good manner with clients and witnesses and gets to grip with the key issues quickly.”
Legal 500 2024

“Anna is really excellent and very much in demand.” “She has a sharp mind and tremendous interpersonal skills.” “Her technical abilities during settlement meetings are noteworthy and she has an effortless style.” “Anna really comes into her own in court. She really is a tenacious and impressive advocate.” “Anna has a very good grasp of the law and builds good relationships with clients.” “Anna is efficient and astute.” “Her paperwork is always flawless.” “She really is a tenacious and impressive advocate.” “Anna is a very impressive junior. She has a stellar clinical negligence practice which overlaps with her product liability work.”
Chambers UK 2023

“A superb negotiator, equally relaxed against silks as she is against any opponent. Undoubtedly a top tier clinical negligence junior, she’s a silk in waiting.” “Both clients and judges love her. She is intellectually top notch, works very hard and possess immense commercial common sense.” “Anna is always very well-prepared, and instinctively knows the best points to take. She is a formidable advocate and astute tactician, with an excellent forensic eye for detail. She is also well respected by her peers and fosters good relationships with her opponents with her easy-going style.”
Legal 500 2023

“A formidable advocate who will fight her client’s corner robustly.” “She’s tenacious and sharp as a tack” “She is terrific – a ferocious cross-examiner with very good commercial judgment.” “She is terrific. A ferocious cross-examiner and a clever advocate with good commercial judgment.” “A formidable opponent who is very professional and great on the detail.” “An excellent barrister who is very efficient, approachable and focused. She is a perfectionist and delves into every aspect of the case and paperwork and always goes the extra mile to ensure that the job is done to the very best standard. You can always be assured that you are in a totally safe pair of hands.” “She is very personable, clients like her and she gives advice in a clear and understandable way.” “She gives excellent strategic advice that always considers the end goal. She’s also very easy to work with and excellent with clients.”
Chambers UK 2022

“A brilliant advocate with a very impressive travel practice.” “She combines a razor-sharp intelligence with an extraordinary capacity for hard work. She is a fantastic team player, always upbeat and positive. And it is not surprising that she is one of the juniors of choice for leaders in 2TG.” “Anna instinctively knows the best points to take. She is a skilled advocate who consistently delivers excellent results.” “She demonstrates meticulous preparation, as well as excellent advocacy and tactics, in order to achieve the best result for the client.”
Legal 500 2022

“A fantastic advocate who is not afraid of standing firm on difficult issues.” “She’s formidable in court and provides great tactical advice.” She is very bright and witheringly good in cross-examinations.” “She is a good advocate – very persuasive and fiercely fights her client’s corner.” “She’s incredibly easy to work with and goes above and beyond to assist. She’s also very strategic and is an excellent advocate.”
Chambers UK 2021

Anna is credited as “the leading junior in chambers” in Clinical Negligence and as “A tenacious and effective advocate who combines an enormous intellect with the ability to argue complex points in a simple and effective way.” “She combines a razor-sharp intelligence with an extraordinary capacity for hard work.” “One of the best cross-examiners I have seen of juniors at her call. Has a first-class grasp of detail and the ability and tenacity to apply it to good effect in negotiations.” “She is an excellent lawyer and fearless advocate. She combines intellectual rigour with a formidable work ethic: the combination is powerful and explains her extremely successful practice.”
Legal 500 2021

“Provides very pragmatic and commercial advice.” “She is excellent in meetings and impresses with her quantum skills.” “An exceptionally talented advocate.” “Her attention to detail is excellent and she prepares very well. She gives clear, concise advice and builds a strong rapport with clients. She is also excellent on her feet.” “She is very practical, knowledgeable and gives clear and realistic advice. She handles matters efficiently and effectively, and leaves you feeling confident in the advice given and that she is in control of matters.” “She is to the point and very sharp – a fantastic junior to bring on board in tricky cross-border matters.”
Chambers UK 2020

“A smiling assassin with a great brain”. “She is excellent on paper and in Court.” “She is very incisive and approachable.”
Legal 500 2020 

“Extremely bright, experienced and approachable.” “Really good at cross-examination.” “She is very thorough and tenacious, and takes a very down-to-earth approach with clients.” “Anna is extremely friendly and approachable. Her manner is professional yet welcoming and she is a pleasure to work with.” “She has very good technical knowledge and excellent attention to detail.”
Chambers UK 2019

“She has enthusiasm and energy and good strength in depth.”  “Good strength in depth.”
Legal 500 2018

“A terrific advocate.”; “Sensible and pragmatic.”; “Excellent as an advocate and in conference. Well prepared and able to deliver clear, precise and concise advice. She is reliable and timely in her responses.”; “She is very good on travel work.” “She is developing a fantastic career.”
Chambers UK 2018

“Formidable on every level.”; “She is very thoughtful, methodical and careful in her analysis of evidence.”
Legal 500 2017

“She’s personable, good to deal with, professional, well organised and generally very impressive.”; “She’s pragmatic and very, very bright.”; “She’s my preferred counsel when I need someone robust and forensic. She can deconstruct a claimant’s claim without getting flustered in the face of resistance.”; “Anna is very good; a real rising star.”; “I’m impressed by her approachability, familiarity with papers and firm grasp of the key issues in a case.”
Chambers UK 2017

“She has the ability to cut through the issues and see the bigger picture.”
Legal 500 2016

Anna is described as “obviously extremely bright and able” but with “the additional benefit of possessing excellent interpersonal skills and being able to manage client relationships.” Anna is also praised for her “very clear pragmatic advice” and her “very approachable” manner.
Chambers UK 2016

Portfolio Builder

Select the expertise that you would like to download or add to the portfolio

    Download    Add to portfolio   
    Portfolio
    TitleTypeCVEmail

    Remove All

    Download


    Click here to share this shortlist.
    (It will expire after 30 days.)