“He is a master of his brief and always robustly puts his client’s case forward.”
Chambers and Partners 2024
Experience
Year of Call: 1991
Year of Silk: 2015
Qualifications
LLB (Hons)
Education
Campbell College, Belfast
Liverpool University, LLB (Hons) 1990
Profile
John has been a care practitioner since he was called to the Bar in 1991. He is routinely instructed in the most complex cases, including fact-finding hearings, final hearings and appeals. Those cases include expert medical evidence at the most complex end of the range and John is well known as an expert cross-examiner of such experts. His client care skills and ability to work as part of a team are also well known.
John is also experienced in media management and the legal framework involved.
Those skills translate to John’s Private Law practice which includes intractable disputes, client management, the interplay between private disputes and all of the fact-finding issues and allegations that can arise in such proceedings.
John has experience in Judicial Review proceedings that include issues of family law.
Publications/Training
John has written the Public Law update for Family Law Week for many years.
Professional Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Midland Circuit
Inner Temple
Directories
“He is a master of his brief and always robustly puts his client’s case forward.”
“John Tughan prepares meticulously and is amazing on his feet.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
Has expertise in both public and private children proceedings. He possesses great experience of handling complex cases concerning abuse at the most serious end of the spectrum. Tughan is particularly effective in matters concerning allegations of fabricated illness, risk assessment and medical issues.
Strengths: “Careful, deft and a warm person to deal with, he has a searing intellect.” “A tough opponent, a fantastic cross-examiner and a seriously impressive court advocate. He is also great to work with and hugely popular with clients from all walks of life.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
Has expertise in both public and private children proceedings. He possesses great experience of handling complex cases concerning abuse at the most serious end of the spectrum. Tughan is particularly effective in matters concerning allegations of fabricated illness, risk assessment and medical issues.
Strengths: “John’s enthusiasm and his mature and accomplished delivery of his advocacy is addictive to watch.”
Chambers & Partners 2020
Has expertise in both public and private children proceedings. He possesses great experience of handling complex cases concerning abuse and relocation matters at the most serious end of the spectrum. He is particularly effective in matters concerning allegations of fabricated illness, risk assessment and medical issues.
Strengths: “His unique selling point is his ability to deliver mesmerising, meticulously prepared, compelling and superbly executed written and oral submissions. He is calm, intelligent and approachable, and has stellar client care skills.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
Has expertise in both public and private children proceedings. He possesses great experience of handling complex cases concerning abuse and relocation matters at the most serious end of the spectrum. He is particularly good at matters concerning fabricated allegations, risk assessment and medical issues.
Strengths: “He’s a heavyweight in children matters who is empathetic, expert in his field, knowledgeable and powerfully persuasive.”
Chambers & Partners 2018
Has expertise in both public and private children proceedings. He possesses great experience of handling complex cases concerning abuse and relocation.
Strengths: “Tenacious, hardworking and willing to push the boundaries for his clients.” Chambers & Partners 2017
Equally adept at dealing with both public and private law children cases. His expertise includes serious physical abuse and child abduction matters. He is respected by his peers for his work ethic and tenacity.
Strengths: “He is a very capable opponent, who is a good cross-examiner and persuasive in negotiations. He’s a very reasonable opponent and a good person to do business with.” “Dedicated and tenacious. He will leave no stone unturned.”
Chambers & Partners 2016
Deals with both public and private law proceedings, including cases of serious or fatal injury or sexual abuse, or those concerning challenging medical evidence.
Expertise: “He believes in them and will fight for them however hopeless the case seems.”
Chambers & Partners 2015
Represents children, parents and local authorities, among others, in complex and high-profile care cases, and enjoys a fine reputation for his work on matters pertaining to death, injury and sexual abuse.
Expertise: “He is focused and tenacious – a real fighter and an excellent advocate.”
Chambers & Partners 2014
The “charming and well-prepared” John Tughan is a well-respected specialist in care proceedings and private law matters such as contact and residence.
Chambers & Partners 2013
John Tughan “wastes no time in getting to the gist of the matter,” and stands out for his impressive public law children practice. He represents children, parents, interveners and the local authorities in the most complex matters.
Chambers and Partners 2012
John Tughan, meanwhile, is highly regarded for representing local authorities in public children law proceedings.
Chambers and Partners 2011
John Tughan’s advocacy is clear, persuasive and direct, and he is well liked in the profession.
Chambers and Partners 2010
John Tughan is described as a “no nonsense barrister” with public and private law proceedings at the heart of his practice.
Chambers and Partners 2009
His “firm but approachable style” and “ability to smooth the waters” has won him a loyal following of many solicitors [Chambers & Partners 2005]. John is described as “excellent in both advocacy and substantive law.”
Chambers & Partners 2008