Fiona Hughes

Fiona Hughes

Senior Associate

DDI: 029 2003 0565

Email: fhughes@darwingray.com

Fiona is a Senior Associate in our highly regarded dispute resolution team. She draws from her varied experience in practice areas across a number of different firms over the last 20 years, and now closely works with Darwin Gray colleagues from all disciplines to advise on a wide range of commercial disputes.

Fiona has built a wealth of experience advising individuals and businesses, from local SMEs to multinational corporations, on commercial issues arising from disputes. She has most recently been trusted by financial services organisations including international clearing banks, title insurers and lenders to advise on a range of financial services disputes and investigations, involving fraud, professional negligence, trusts, title and security issues, consumer credit, payments and recoveries litigation.

Fiona has a specialism in business and contract disputes, and is particularly experienced in providing commercial advice and negotiating solutions in the context of sensitive, high-profile or reputationally challenging situations. Clients appreciate Fiona’s understanding of their structure, vision and commercial drivers and she is known for her pragmatic and solutions-based approach.

She regularly delivers training sessions to clients on legal issues and processes critical to their business, and has extensive experience of delivering strategic advice and managing remediation projects for major financial institutions.

  • Successfully representing clients in interim applications in money claims and in possession claims
  • Successfully defending undue influence and mis-selling allegations against mortgage lenders
  • Advising clients on recovery of secured and unsecured debts
  • Obtaining enforcement orders against assets based in other jurisdictions
  • Advising on taking possession of abandoned or high-risk properties
  • Negotiating commercial settlements on disputed debt claims
  • Advising lender clients on complex title disputes
  • Advising on restructure of a client’s internal organisation through creating processes and workflows to streamline efficiencies, reduce costs and improve productivity

 

(Fiona joined Darwin Gray in February 2024 and the above transactions were advised on prior to her joining.)

  • Contract disputes
  • Professional negligence
  • Company and business disputes
  • Secured and unsecured debt recovery
  • Settlements and alternative dispute resolution
  • Property, land and title disputes
  • Possession issues
  • Financial services disputes and investigations
  • Regulatory issue
  • Corporate administrative applications
  • Legal project management, operational review and system implementation

Experience

  • Senior Associate, Darwin Gray LLP – 2024 – present
  • Associate, TLT LLP – 2016 – 2024
  • Solicitor, DAC Beachcroft LLP – 2013 – 2016
  • Solicitor, Darwin Gray LLP – 2011 – 2013
  • Trainee Solicitor, Darwin Gray LLP – 2010 -2011

Education

  • Cardiff University
  • Queens University Belfast
  • Rathmore Grammar School
  • Women in Banking and Finance (WIBF)

I have worked with Darwin Gray for a number of years and the level of service, professionalism and timely response is second to none. I would highly recommend Darwin Gray to any business.”

Becs Beslee
Dice FM Ltd

Darwin Gray have provided us with a first-class service for many years now. They really take the time to understand our business and develop relationships which results in advice and support that is contextualised and effective.”

Rebecca Cooper
ACT Training

We have worked with Darwin Gray for several years and have always found their services and advice to be first class.”

Karen Gale
Stepping Stones Group

An extremely professional and sincere company who make time for your queries and understand the need to break down certain facts and information to ensure everything is understood perfectly. I would highly recommend the company to anyone looking for any type of legal advice”

Gwawr Booth
Portal Training Ltd

PSS has worked with Darwin Gray for many years. We have always received an excellent service. Prompt and professional advice and support.”

Ledia Shabani
Property Support Services UK Ltd

We have used several departments within DG recently and we have been very pleased with an effective, efficient and down to earth service. Very happy thus far and I expect that we will continue to use DG.”

Guto Bebb
Farmers’ Union of Wales

Darwin Gray offer us truly superb services. Very professional, quick and services available bilingually which is very important to us, highly recommend.”

Iwan Hywel
Mentrau Iaith Cymru

My “go to” in urgent and time sensitive cases for direction, support and advice. The team are quick to respond to calls or emails for advice and support on all matters. Always explain complex matters in a way a lay person can easily understand.”

Margot Adams
Guarding UK Ltd

Darwin Gray have acted for myself and my company over a number of years and at all times we have been treated with a professional manner yet maintain a common-sense approach at all levels. We couldn’t recommend them more highly.”

Simon Baston
Loft Co

We have been clients of Darwin Gray for many years; they’ve always dealt with all of our legal matters with such professionalism. They work around us, even during awkward hours, and we feel confident we can always rely on them.”

Louise Williams
ACT Training

Darwin Gray has been acting for Siltbuster for more than ten years. We would have no hesitation in recommending Darwin Gray to other organisations small or large.”

Richard D Coulton
Siltbuster Ltd

From the very first conversation, I had no doubt that Darwin Gray should be the firm to receive our instructions on this matter. I would have no hesitation in recommending Darwin Gray.”

Sandra Warr
Tomos TV

We regularly instruct Darwin Gray. Their service in dealing with our transactional matters and disputes is always professional, prompt and efficient.”

John Poppleton
Absolute Property Management Solutions Ltd

Darwin Gray guided me through a long and extended process that would have been much more difficult had it not been for their patience and constant support.”

Ifan Lewis

Excellent and efficient service. Great result achieved, highly professional and transparent on pricing. Would recommend.”

David Stevens

Superb legal service provided. Exceeded expectations. They went above and beyond in order to provide the best service possible.”

Huw Pickrell

Very professional and understanding. They were a calming influence in a very troubling situation and they brought it to a very successful conclusion”

Rachel Jones

We have used Darwin Gray and have been seriously impressed. The personal approach is what Darwin Gray are excelling on and is the reason why we will continue to work with them in the future.”

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