Hugh Evans

hjuHe/himConsultant

He is very attuned to what the client wants, but also understands where the client is likely to get to with a certain point or argument and can anticipate what will happen next.

— Chambers UK 2022

Emailhugh.evans@dlapiper.com

Call+44 (0)7971 142 187

Leeds

About

Hugh Evans is a litigator with 40 years’ experience of advising clients in the financial services sector on a wide range of disputes.

Hugh’s many years of experience enable him to take a strategic approach to disputes allied to a deep understanding of the needs and priorities of his clients and a fine appreciation of the legal issues.

Hugh’s recent work has included conspiracy claims, product mis-selling, derivatives, performance bonds, mortgages, guarantees and professional negligence claims.

Areas of FocusCorporate Finance Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations

Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

Boyse (International) Limited -v- NatWest Markets PLC (2020): acting for the defendant bank in striking out a LIBOR manipulation claim on limitation grounds. This is believed to be the first case in which the English courts have considered limitation in the context of LIBOR claims.
Yuanda (UK) Company Limited -v- Multiplex Construction Europe Limited (2020): acting for the London branch of an AsiaPac bank in injunction proceedings to restrain payment under a performance bond for GBP4.4m issued in respect of a major development in London.
Cunningham -v- Ellis (2018): acting for a bank in striking out a claim for GBP38m based on allegations of fraud arising out of the appointment of administrators to a company.
Acting for a major bank in defending allegations of unlawful means conspiracy arising out of its relationship with a high profile customer.
Advising a mortgage lender on a range of litigation issues arising out of the abolition of a cap on its standard variable rate mortgage.
Advising a bank on a claim for fraud brought by a former customer arising out of an advance to acquire a portfolio of real estate assets.
Acting for a bank in a GBP6.3m claim against valuers relating to cross collateralised assets in Manchester, Sheffield and Glasgow (2017).
Advising a major UK clearing bank in relation to an injunction restraining payment under a performance bond for EUR18.2m issued in respect of the construction of a biomass plant in the south of France (2018).
Acting for a bank in a GBP6.6m pound claim against the project monitor of a development of apartments which had been built in a defective manner (2016).
Ventra Investments Limited -v- Bank of Scotland: acting for the defendant bank in successfully striking out part of an GBP85m claim alleging the sale of a portfolio of real estate assets at an undervalue (2017).
Crestsign Limited -v- National Westminster Bank Plc (2014): acting for NatWest in the successful defence of a claim for the mis-selling of an interest rate swap. This case became a leading authority on the scope of a bank’s duty when providing information about products to customers.
Rahman -v- HSBC (2012): acting for HSBC in successfully defending a claim challenging the appointment of receivers to a portfolio of real estate assets.

Education

Awards

Hugh has received specific mention in Legal 500 for his litigation skills and has been named as a leader in his field by Chambers UK.

Hugh is described by Legal 500 (2011) as a "very experienced and extremely able litigator." The Chambers directory for 2012 described him as "an astute and efficient litigator with an excellent client service ethos."

Publications

Seminars

Hugh is a renowned speaker and has presented to clients on a wide range of topics including mediation, litigation funding, conspiracy claims and duties of good faith. He is frequently asked to assist his clients with their training programmes. Hugh has also appeared on BBC television and radio as an expert legal commentator on issues relating to the financial services sector.