Clare Hughes-Williams

Clare Hughes-Williams has over 25 years’ experience in defending professionals in respect of civil claims and has a particular expertise in relation to claims against solicitors. She regularly acts in cases involving multiple claimants and has dealt with Managed and Group Litigation. She is currently responsible for a group of claims against firms that arise out of failed property investment transactions the value of which is approximately £70 million.

Clare also has a leading reputation in the specialist field of solicitors’ professional disciplinary matters and regularly represents solicitors in regulatory investigations and disciplinary proceedings. Such investigations are highly sensitive for the professionals involved and their firms because of the potentially career changing sanctions that can be imposed by the Regulator and the likely reputational damage. Clare is acting for a number of top 50 law firms in respect of regulatory actions, either against the firm or individuals within those firms. Clare also advises Insurers on coverage and policy response. She has advised in cases involving dishonesty, aggregation, issues of attachment and notification.

Clare’s key clients include Aviva, QBE, Munich Re, AmTrust and Zurich. She regularly provides legal and risk management training to Insurers and their large insured firms, in order to gain a deeper understanding of their businesses and to provide an all-round service to her clients. Clients say of her that they appreciate her practical and straight forward approach to their cases.

Relevant experience includes:

• Acting in the defence of regulatory proceedings for a Top 10 Law Firm alleged to have breached SAR 14.5.
• Acting for a number of firms and their insurers in the defence of claims arising out of failed investment schemes. The claims frequently exceed the applicable policy limits and are therefore sensitive and important to all parties concerned.

Clare has been ranked as a Tier 1 lawyer in her field by Chambers Directory for a number of years. Her directory referees described her as “superb with client service” and also said that “her attention to detail was exceptional”

Clare regularly writes articles and publishes podcasts for the DAC Beachcroft website e.g. Is illness ever a defence against dishonesty?

She also co-wrote an interactive guide to the risks facing the legal profession in 2020.