Mr McHugh studied a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney and started his career as a summer clerk at Blake Dawson Waldron in Sydney. He was an associate to High Court Justice Mary Gaudron before he became a barrister in 1995, originally at Sixth Floor Selborne Wentworth Chambers. He completed a Master of Laws at Yale Law School in 1997, after which he worked as an Attorney at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom in New York.
When he returned to Australia in 1998, he continued to practise at the Sixth Floor before being a founding member of Banco Chambers in 2005. He took silk in 2006.
Mr McHugh has conducted many high-profile cases at first instance and on appeal, across a broad range of areas in courts around the country and in international arbitrations.
He has argued appeals in the High Court on questions as diverse as company law, defamation, financial services regulation and workers compensation. In recent years Mr McHugh has specialised in complex commercial disputes.
Mr McHugh’s family has a strong tradition of service to the people of New South Wales. His father, Michael McHugh AC KC, was a Judge of Appeal from 1984 to 1989 and a Justice of the High Court from 1989 to 2005.
His mother, Jeannette McHugh, was the first woman from NSW elected to the Federal Parliament, and a minister in the Commonwealth Government from 1992 to 1996.
His brother, Michael McHugh SC, is a judge of the District Court.
Richard McHugh SC will replace Justice Anthony Meagher, who retires on 12 August. He will be sworn in on August 20.
Attorney General Michael Daley said:
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Richard McHugh SC to the Court of Appeal.
“Mr McHugh is a highly regarded barrister and a true generalist. He brings to the Court three decades of experience across many areas of the law.
“I have no doubt that he will contribute significantly to the Court’s work.
“I also thank Justice Anthony Meagher for his important work over the past 13 years, sitting on more than 1000 cases and delivering judgments which have informed our interpretation of the law.
“I congratulate Mr McHugh on his appointment.”
