Leading Criminal Defence Lawyers in Canberra

Every story has two sides. We defend yours.

Call now on (02) 5104 9640 or email us at info@hugolawgroup.com.au for a consultation with our criminal defence team.

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Highly recommend Mitchell Greig. He made the experience seamless, relieved the stress of the situation and was very informative through the whole process.
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Priyanka provided a professional service and got me the best outcome for my case. I would highly recommend Hugo Law Group and if needed i would use them again.
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I recently finished a court matter a few weeks ago where, Adrian and the group at Hugo law were very helpful, informative and insightful in helping my family and me throughout it all.

The whole time I felt supported and well informed about what would happen and what our desired outcome was. Adrian was also very knowledgeable and was always on hand with good advice about anything I had questions about.

Overall, my experience was one of profound professionalism and excellent service.

Thank you Adrian and the team at Hugo Law.

– Luci
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Nobody enjoys going to court so it was reassuring to be advised and represented by Mitchell Greig. He is wise, supportive and stands for his clients. His background, legal knowledge and experience, make him relatable both to his client and to the court. Not all heroes wear capes, however, in my mind, Mitchell is certainly worthy. Thank you!
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Adrian !! Where can I start , absolute professional from start to finish , very transparent through the whole ordeal .

I was as stressed as stressed could be and after ringing around for a few lawyers I did not make another call after Adrian .

I was looking at serious charges and after Adrian sorted me out I got minimal sentencing , even from the moment I talked to him on the phone I felt comfortable , cannot Reccomend Adrian enough . Thanks mate
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I was referred to Adrian McKenna at Hugo Law by a friend (solicitor). As I had never been a defendent before I was naturally extremely nervous and scared. As soon as I met Adrian I knew I was in good hands.
Adrian was so professional with his explanations of what to expect. He was also compassionate and listened to me. I asked so many questions. He looked at me and said “let us do our job”, and “follow his directions”.
The Barrister he engaged to my case was excellent. Over weeks and months, with hearings in between, waiting for the court date and the final hearings I was so nervous and asked too many questions again. Again, “let us do our job”. A confidence boost again from Adrian.
The Barrister asked all the right questions which I wanted him to ask. He and Adrian provided all the facts and statements that were vital to the Magistrates decisions.
We got the best outcome, no convictions.
I thank Adrian and his team for their patience, guidance, advice, and compassion through my heartbreaking ordeal. His advice “let us do our job” was the best advice leading to the best result.
I would highly recommend Adrian at HugoLaw. He gets the job done!
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Adrian McKenna is a prodigy. Achieved a great result, couldn’t be happier. Down to earth and always reachable. 10/10
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I am very grateful to Stephanie and the entire Hugo Law Group. My son’s case was handled with compassion, skill and efficiency. Stephanie was amazing in the court arena, never intimidated by the magistrate, always willing to argue the client’s point of view with truth and fairness.
She achieved the result I hoped for
and I am so pleased that the Hugo Law Group was recommended to me. They really do adhere to their motto of there being two sides to every story.
With appreciation and gratitude
Sue Mitchell
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Helpful, understanding and great guidance every step of the way. Couldn’t fault them and can’t thank them enough. 5/5
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I recently had my case handled by Jack Johnson. The level of professionalism and the way he handled my case, helped me through the whole process via communicating with me and getting everything sorted was simply amazing. I would highly recommend using Hugo Law Group and Jack for your criminal matter. You will be extremely satisfied with the service they provide.
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Jack a young upcoming lawyer took on two cases of mine. He handled the process extremely professional in the difficult situation. Enabling me and working directly with ADACAS staff to assist with the case and reports required.

Max took over one of the legal disagreement of mine. He was highly professional, understanding and compassionate. Max is highly educated, informed with current legislation and provides a welcoming environment. He is honest about recommendations.

Dealing with complex disabilities both staff member were accommodating to myself, my needs and my support animal.

Highly recommend Hugo Law group!
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Priyanka provided a professional service and got me the best result in the end. Very happy and would recommend her. Thankyou!
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Tom Tiffen managed my family violence matter and achieved a great outcome for me. He was highly professional and deeply knowledgeable of the law and the court process while always being sensitive to the distress of my situation.
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Very professional and reliable. Adrian was very organised and kept me informed throughout the whole process. Definitely knew how to tackle this situation. Wouldn’t recommend anyone else other the Adrian and his team and Hugo Law Group Canberra.
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I made contact with Max and told him of my situation and Max told me that he would help me out. Max advised me that he would aim for the best possible outcome for me in my situation.

At the end of the day, Max achieved the best possible outcome for me.

Max was very professional in his dealings regarding my situation from beginning to end, everything was explained to me and Max followed through.

I would highly recommend Max to anyone & I would gladly use Max again if I needed him.
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I am so glad we chose Hugo Law to assist us, in what was a very stressful time for me and the family. Jack and the team were professional and always kept us up-to-date with any information we needed. I would like to thank Jack and the team for all the support and advice they provided. I highly recommend Hugo Law, their services are absolutely amazing.
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Information provided was clear and when unable to understand it was repeated without prejudice. I was always well informed to what was happening. My Lawyer showed compassion, understanding and was very professional in her duties. She had the ability to listen and not make one feel judged and not respected. Thank you for your help and services.
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Adrian not only ensured we were well aware of the situation but he ensured we knew how important it was to follow his direction and that of the overall team that were on the case. At all time he was honest in his approach and his attitude. In the end the outcome was so much better than originally expected which is something we are so ever thankful for. Adrian and Hugo Law come highly recommended.
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I recently had the pleasure of hiring the HUGO Law Firm to handle some driving charges I was facing, and I couldn’t be happier with the service I received. My lawyer, Max Hasler, was outstanding in every way. He was always professional, showing a deep understanding of the law and a genuine commitment to my case.

Max was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly caring. He took the time to listen to my concerns and was always available whenever I needed him. Whether it was a quick phone call or an in-depth discussion about the details of my case, Max made sure I felt supported and informed every step of the way.

The dedication and expertise that Max and the HUGO Law Firm demonstrated have truly made a difference in my life. I highly recommend Max Hasler and the entire team at HUGO Law Firm to anyone in need of legal advice in the ACT. Their professionalism, compassion, and availability are second to none.

Thank you, Max and HUGO Law Firm, for your exceptional service!
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I am very confused by the one star reviews against this firm. I had an excellent experience and would highly recommend.

The other reviews appear to be fake and from a competing law firm as all accounts only have one other review (being the other firm) and were made at the same time. Very damaging and should be legal.

If you have any doubt, just give the team a call and talk to them yourself!
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Had a great experience with both Priyanka and Max. Had open discussions about the details of my case and would highly recommend Hugo Law Group for your criminal law needs.
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Priyanka walked in our shoes, professionally. Would recommend her and her law firm without a doubt. Many thanks 🙏🏾
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Worked with Thomas Tiffen as my lawyer. Very professional and always quick to respond. Highly recommend.
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I had the pleasure of engaging Hugo Law Group, for Legal counsel. They were very transparent, helpful and reassuring during the entire process. Highly recommend to anyone seeking legal advice. Special Thanks to Tom Taylor!
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Hugo Law Group (Canberra) – Result driven and professional service of the highest standard. We were so grateful to work with Stephanie Beckedahl on a recent matter. Stephanie was an amazing lawyer, we cannot thank enough for her great support, knowledge and determination.
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Absolutely outstanding! Thomas is a brilliant lawyer who took my husband’s case level 3 drink drive. Thomas worked tirelessly on our case and achieved the best possible outcome in our case. I couldn’t be happier with his strategic approach expertise, dedication, and exceptional results. Thank you for your service Thomas. Highly recommend!”
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Mitchell Greig at Hugo Law Group – helped us out with a driving while suspended matter and achieved a great result (a dismissal of all charges). He clearly let us know, early, what material we needed to obtain to help our case. He also managed our expectations well given his knowledge of the process.
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Amazing to deal with – easy and very straight forward. Very helpful. I appreciate it.
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Adrian and the team are very informed, professional and I would highly recommend. I couldn’t speak better of the team.

The negative reviews appear to be fake and do not represent a true experience with McKenna Taylor.
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Very professional and efficient lawyers. I highly recommend Mitchell Greig to help you with your case. Mitchell worked tirelessly to defend me and helped me achieve a positive result. I am very grateful. Five stars.
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I am very grateful to Stephanie and the entire Hugo Law Group. My son’s case was handled with compassion, skill and efficiency. Stephanie was amazing in the court arena, never intimidated by the magistrate, always willing to argue the client’s point of view with truth and fairness.
She achieved the result I hoped for
and I am so pleased that the Hugo Law Group was recommended to me. They really do adhere to their motto of there being two sides to every story.
With appreciation and gratitude
Sue Mitchell
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I had a 6 year criminal case that was abit outthere.Hugo law Groups excellent in both professionalism and experience was beyond what i was expecting!My experience was exceptionally great. A very well organized firm, experienced and professional. Customer service was excellent and the lawyer Rebecca Kriesler and counsel Caitlin Akthar of Forbs chambers on my case, were beyond amazing and i got the outcome that i wanted! They worked
very well together and were very thorough and very experienced.Rebecca knows what she is talking about. All in all, I had a positive experience and I highly recommend Hugo law 10 stars 🌟 for me .
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Jack did an amazing job on my case and got me the result I wanted. I would highly recommend Hugo Law Group
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Cannot thank both Adrian and Max at the firm after a long and ongoing case. Not only are they professional but they care, detailed, listened and are brilliant at what they do.
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Adrian and the team at Hugo Law Group have been exceptional throughout the duration of my case. Adrian and his team have saved me from one of the most difficult times of my life. I am forever grateful for what they have done for me. Thank you.
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Feedback posted on behalf of a family member:-

This is my tribute to send 100% positive feedback for Adrian McKenna at McKenna Taylor, to give heartfelt thanks for helping get part of my life back when found not guilty by the ACT Magistrates Court.

I first started being represented by Adrian in late 2018 after having false criminal charges laid against me by my estranged wife. Adrian McKenna did not judge me, showed me respect whist my prior life was betrayed in front of him as me being violet man, one thing I have always prided myself on that I wasn’t. Adrian supported me completely in my decision to plead not guilty to all charges.

From the very beginning, as I was escorted to interview, Adrian was on point only wanting the facts, he was easy to understand and stuck by me through everything and never once made me feel unsupported. He worked closely with my family in getting prepared and assisted in finding me a Family Lawyer to help me navigate and understand the complexity of the charges laid against me and the impact it would have on me and my 5 children.

My hearing took 4 days and Adrian was nothing short of brilliant, myself and family were taken back by his knowledge and preparation into my case that was masterful and clever to keep it simple that the evidence does not lie.

Adrian McKenna is just put simply an amazing Criminal Lawyer that communicates with conviction and passion in the court room. His intellect and ability to show empathy and then uplift the situation with positivity was noted by my family and appreciated so much throughout the hearing.

Throughout the whole ordeal, Adrian reassured me with honesty, very directly kept me on point that Criminal cases are based on evidence and at no point does Family Court have any place in a Criminal matter. Words that were hard to hear, but now I understand.

I also worked with other members of McKenna Taylor and all within the firm were professional and respectful. I strongly recommend Adrian McKenna and McKenna Taylor for your criminal matter. You will be doing yourself a disservice from the beginning if you don’t.
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Max and the Hugo Law Group team have been nothing short of amazing. Max was unbelievably supportive and compassionate during the entire process and was able to provide timely and informative advice and updates. We would highly recommend Max and the Hugo Law Group to anyone needing some help. Their service was very professional and excellent at all times.
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Thank you, Thomas, for your exceptional work and for helping me navigate through a challenging legal matter with ease and confidence. Thank you for the hard work and dedication.
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I had such a lovely, positive experience with this law firm. Sinead was so helpful and friendly while helping me with legal advice. Her positive attitude and excellent legal advice in regards to my situation was such a stress reliever for me. I cannot recommend Mckenna Taylor as a criminal defence law firm more.
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For the past two years my family has engaged Tom Taylor at Hugo Law for a matter which frankly should never have entered our lives. Unfortunately it did and we needed a high quality advocate who could give us balanced honest advice and support. Tom was amazing. Highly credentialled of course, but more than that, he was honest, down to earth and he approached our issue with a level of tenacity which was reassuring. He, and Hugo Law, were a godsend in a very stressful time. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Tom and his team are professional, brilliant and, most importantly, human.
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Completely professional and personal service provided by Mitchell. Brought a great strategy to achieve a successful outcome. Personable and responsive! Thanks Mitchell at Hugo Law. Jon R
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Associate Stephanie Beckedahl of Hugo Law worked fiercely on my matters and thanks to her tenacity, skill, flawless preparation and communication, achieved an absolutely exceptional outcome for myself. Stephanie showed such compassion and commitment throughout the process and I am so grateful to you Steph and highly recommend you for anyone requiring an outstanding criminal defence lawyer. Thank you again for everything.
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Twice now Adrian in Hugo Law group Canberra you have done extremely well in keeping my husband out of jail. Words cannot express how grateful we are for helping us again with my husband case. Thank you so much also to the barrister who was with Adrian on the court day, you fought very well for our case and we came out triumph. Thank you thank you thank you so much for seeing us through what was a very stressful time for us. We will highly recommend you to anyone in need of a good fighting lawyer and a law firm. Hugo Law group Canberra thank you again.
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Wonderful help in a difficult time. Priyanka at Hugo Law Group was very helpful, explained everything clearly and handled my case expertly.
Highly recommend
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Professional and dedicated team with no fuss. Adrians guidance and skill boosted my confidence and created a fair outcome.
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Wonderful, compassionate and skill full team at Hugo.
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I cannot recommend this crew enough i dealt with Tom and i just cannot believe how non stressful he made this nightmare of mine, Tom and the teams professionalism was second to none, they went the extra mile and ensured the my case was heard and most importantly the truth came out.

They are your Number 1 criminal lawyers to go to nothing is ever to complex for these guys they will always find a way to defend you and your situation.
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I would recommend Mitchell Grieg for any matter. Approachable , Professional , honest and will fight for best outcome possible.

In Need of Legal Help? Contact Us Today






    Your Team

    If you are accused of a criminal offence, you need a specialist criminal lawyer in your corner. With some of the most highly regarded lawyers in Canberra, our team of criminal lawyers will provide you with comprehensive, honest and strategic advice.

    Adrian McKenna
    Partner — Canberra

    ACCREDITED SPECIALIST (Criminal Law)

    Tom Taylor
    Partner — Canberra

    Stephanie Beckedahl
    Senior Associate — Canberra

    Max Haesler
    Senior Lawyer — Canberra

    Tom Tiffen-Oakes
    Lawyer — Canberra

    Adrian McKenna
    Partner — Canberra

    ACCREDITED SPECIALIST (Criminal Law)

    Tom Taylor
    Partner — Canberra

    Stephanie Beckedahl
    Senior Associate — Canberra

    Max Haesler
    Senior Lawyer — Canberra

    Tom Tiffen-Oakes
    Lawyer — Canberra

    Criminal Law Canberra

    As a leading criminal defence law firm in Canberra, ACT, Hugo Law Group is steadfast in utilising our wealth of expertise to defend your rights.

    Criminal law in Australia is a vast area of the law, involving a diverse range of charges and procedures. Each charge involves its own set of circumstances that require careful consideration.

    Combining our experience and understanding of criminal law with a tailored approach to each case, we are here to push your side of the story. As a distinguished team of criminal law specialists, we explore every avenue to construct a strong defence for any criminal charges you may be facing.

    Confronting allegations or charges for a criminal offence can be an overwhelming and stressful time. Hugo Law Group Canberra serves as a helping hand during this challenging period, ensuring that you are well-informed about your case progression, your options in defending the matter, and what expectations you should have about the situation.

    Our criminal defence lawyers in Canberra make regular appearances in court, and will bring for you the experience required to navigate the criminal law system and secure the most favourable outcome for you.

    Enquire Now

    Canberra criminal law experts

    Being accused of a crime in Canberra can be emotionally daunting, carrying potential repercussions for both the short and long term. Hugo Law Group is dedicated to offering strategic advice tailored to all potential sentencing outcomes, from fines to imprisonment.

    Short-term consequences may involve good behaviour orders, fines, community service, or imprisonment, depending on the offence. In the long term, the recording of a criminal conviction can impact your life in a number of ways, such as restricting the places you are able to travel to, or limiting your career prospects.

    Our experienced and comprehensive approach to criminal law is evident when engaging a lawyer from Canberra’s Hugo Law Group. We have accredited specialists in criminal law and we operate across a spectrum of criminal offences, including assault, dishonesty, firearms, murder, manslaughter, perjury, robbery, sexual assault, and more.

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    Our Expertise

    The Hugo Law Group difference

    Criminal charges can be complex and stressful. At Hugo Law Group Canberra, we provide both you all the information you need and the very best in legal representation, ensuring you understand the charges, burden of proof, and all available options.

    Your life and future may be at stake, and understanding your unique situation is crucial. Combined with strategic advice, our commitment to defending your side of the story remains unwavering, whether you plead guilty or not guilty.

    As experts in criminal law, our Canberra criminal defence lawyers have the experience and dedication required to guide you in defending the charge in court.

    Enquire Now

    Canberra Criminal Law FAQs

    Criminal law covers the only area of law where, if the allegation is proved, sentences of imprisonment and other highly punitive penalties or restrictions of liberty can be imposed by courts.

    Criminal law can be contrasted with civil law where a breach may only involve civil fines and other consequences that do not involve a deprivation of liberty.

    A criminal case is typically brought against an individual or company by or on behalf of the state, through police or the director of public prosecutions. In civil law, disputes will often be between parties and these parties can be individuals, companies, organisations and even governments.

    Penalties for drug possession vary based on the quantity of the relevant drug, the maximum available penalty, the seriousness of the offence and an offender’s past history of criminal convictions, if any. Small quantities may result in cautions or warnings, while larger amounts can lead to fines or imprisonment.

    WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

    “Although I am based thousands of miles away, Hugo Law Group was recommended to me by two independent sources from the legal sector in the UK and I am so glad I went to them.

    When my son became involved in a very stressful situation, Hugo Law Group picked up the baton and ran with it from responding immediately to my initial enquiry to taking control of the situation and giving me an immediate sense of calm reassurance that my son’s case was in the hands of extremely competent professionals who kept me up-to-date throughout.

    Their advice was delivered in an easy to understand, practical and strategic manner which helped obtain the best and just result for my son in what was for us all an unknown, stressful, and frightening situation.

    Lindsay: I cannot recommend Lindsay highly enough. Not only was she proactive, pragmatic, strategic, and easy to deal with, she also has a personality which is easy to warm to and her calm, efficient and friendly manner meant not only that my son knew he had someone on his side delivering the best advice, but that more importantly as a mother, I could sleep at night knowing that my son’s case was in the best possible hands. All of this concluding with the right and best possible result for my son. Thank you so much for what you have achieved for our family.”

    PG

    “Hi Carol, from the bottom of my heart thank you for everything that you have done for me over the last couple of weeks. I was seriously completely lost with everything to do with this matter and you were nothing but sincere and genuine the entire time and for that I wanted to say thank you. I really wouldn’t have been able to attend today without you. Thank you.”

    – K’s Family

    “Hugo Law group helped our family through an extremely challenging time and secured an excellent result in the Magistrate’s court. Their communication was precise and clear, and their legal thinking was intelligent, effective and compassionate.  We have no hesitation in recommending them to others.”

    “I highly recommend Adrian McKenna and his team at Hugo Law Group Canberra! I was referred to Adrian by a friend and for good reason. Adrian did an unbelievable job defending my DUI charge, leading to a non-conviction. He was calm and collected in Court, and more importantly throughout the life of the matter, such that he alleviated what was initially a very stressful process. Thanks again!”

    CD

    “Stephanie Beckedahl was terrific!!! She is experienced and has intimate knowledge of the inner workings within the ACT Magistrates Court. She briefs out to quality counsel who will set you up for success on the day. Don’t waste your time going anywhere else.”

    RW

    “Highly recommend Mitchell Greig. He made the experience seamless, relieved the stress of the situation and was very informative through the whole process.”

    “Good morning Tom Tiffen, What a fantastic outcome! Thank you for your involvement in that, and I also want to extend my thanks to Tom for his exceptional work. Tom went above and beyond, attending to every detail and ensuring that all aspects of the case were covered. He engaged in an epic battle of words with Sidu, outwitting his side of the story that could rival a Shakespearean drama. Thank you once again for the great result. Cheers,”

    H

    Dearest Helen, It is difficult to put into words how deeply I thank you for all you have done for my brother and family. The last 2+ years was a version of hell on a nightmarish rollercoaster, supporting my darling brother – innocent of the accusations. It is not lost on me all that you (and the rest of the gang at Hugo Law Group) have done to collect meticulous detail, evidence, continual correspondence and helping to keep my brother together in this awful process. You are a savant of law, justice, helping people in human despair and helping to get a resolution. I really do feel you became part of our family during the trial.

    “Hi Carol,
    Thank you so much for getting the best result for me today.  I am very pleased with the result and your professional advice along the way.
    I have no doubt Hugo will be standing firm on the top of the hierarchy of this field. Best wishes and take care.”

    “Dear Karen, Thanks to you, I had the dream team on my side. My family and I will never forget you.”

    C.P.

    In order to assist me with a fee reduction for the services, Carol, without hesitation coordinated Associate Damien Mahon to assist my case. From the first meeting, Damien’s calm and professional manner was great and felt comfortable. His eagerness to ensure we explored all avenues to prepare for the case, again provided me with extreme confidence that I had chosen the right legal Counsel. Damien’s calm and articulate manner continued into the courtroom and this, combined with our preparedness, we achieved the right outcome.