Hughes is a planning lawyer at Shoosmiths in Edinburgh with experience in all aspects of the planning system on both contentious and non-contentious matters. He acts for a broad range of clients providing specialist advice in connection with the negotiation of planning agreements, planning appeals, judicial review and due diligence exercises, as well as providing strategic and technical advice to housebuilders, landowners and developers. Hughes is a chartered town planner and has been a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute since 2010.