Hugo principally practises in criminal law, appearing across jurisdictions in trials, sentences and appeals. He has particular experience in criminal proceedings at first instance as well as on appeal which involve complex questions of evidence, criminal procedure and sentencing law.

Hugo also accepts briefs to appear in regulatory prosecutions, having appeared in prosecutions under a range of different regulatory schemes, including prosecutions under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the National Heavy Vehicle Law and the Children (Education and Care Services) National Law.

Hugo has appeared both led and unled in a range of matters, including the following select cases:

• Application by Paul Mulvihill pursuant to Part 7 of the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 (NSW) [2026] NSWSC 12 (led by M Kalyk) — application for review of a murder conviction arising from a procedural irregularity regarding compliance with s 18 of the Evidence Act 1995.
• Hadid v R; Singh v R [2025] NSWCCA 207 (unled for the applicant Singh) — sentence appeal concerning an attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
• El-Debel v The King; Kahlon v The King [2025] ACTCA 23 (led by M Kalyk) — conviction appeal concerning s 135.4(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
• Stobinski v R [2025] NSWCCA 97 (led by K Averre) — successful sentence appeal regarding the proper consideration of the applicant’s mental health.
• Tuuholoaki v R [2024] NSWCCA 135 (led by A Cook SC) — conviction appeal addressing the judicial direction on inadvertent recklessness.
• Murray v R [2024] NSWCCA 107 (led by K Averre) — successful sentence appeal concerning the application of the totality principle to existing sentences.
• Department of Education v Trad [2023] NSWCCA 329 (led by J Emmett SC and K Averre) — stated case addressing the interpretation of s 165(2) of the Children (Education and Care Services) National Law.
• Browne v R [2023] NSWCCA 218 (led by K Averre) — successful sentence appeal regarding the application of s 47 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999.

Prior to being called to the Bar, Hugo was Tipstaff to Justice Fagan in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, and previously a legal researcher with a particular focus on criminal trials and appeals. This experience provided him with a strong foundation in criminal practice and procedure.