HFC has again retained its Band 1 ranking for Family/Matrimonial Law in the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide. Frances Hughes is reconfirmed as a Star Individual. Pauline Fowler, Alex Carruthers and Mark Harper all retain Band 1 rankings. Renato Labi retains his Band 2 ranking and Caroline Park is ranked Band 3.

Chambers describes HFC as “always ahead of the game: they are never following, always leading.” Other sources note that the Firm is “somewhat unique in being a niche family practice,” describing it as a “speciality.”

A family barrister enthused that the Firm is “one the best around,” adding that “although they might be small they are mighty. The team that they have there includes some of the best solicitors in the family world. They are all different and they all have a different skill set, but the cocktail means that they are one of the best teams out there.”

Frances Hughes is reconfirmed as a Star Individual and sources note that “there are few people who are more experienced”. Chambers also adds that “what’s very impressive about her is that she gets clients’ confidence but she is in control and she really guides from the top”. Frances is widely regarded as one of the most formidable matrimonial finance litigators within Family law. With a serious reputation for defending her clients’ interests in difficult cases, she is up there as the best litigator.

Pauline Fowler retains her Band 1 ranking, and is celebrated as a “high net worth family law specialist and mediator”. She “enjoys a fine reputation for her focused practice in children law, divorce and adoption and surrogacy cases” and “does the cases extremely well”.

Alex Carruthers retains his Band 1 ranking, and is described as an “extraordinarily good litigator” and someone who is “sharp as a knife and has the best eye for how a case works”.

Mark Harper retains his Band 1 ranking. He is described as a “very conscientious lawyer who thinks very deeply about cases and looks after his clients tremendously well.” Chambers goes on further to state that Mark is “one of the best matrimonial lawyers in London” and that he has “profound knowledge” which is “critical to a client of a very high calibre”.

Renato Labi retains his Band 2 ranking, and is praised for being “a highly esteemed practitioner”, “loved by clients”. Chambers adds that Renato is “well known for acting on behalf of affluent individuals and families”, and “a brilliant tactician” who “will turn over every stone to find the evidence needed”.

Caroline Park is ranked, and described as “financially numerate and on the ball” and “terribly calm and terribly clever”. Chambers also notes that “she is becoming a star,” and is “a real technical and personal support at a tough time for clients and is a likeable, high-quality person.”

Hughes Fowler Carruthers is a top-rated, niche family law practice founded in 2001. It is widely regarded as one of London’s foremost family law practices and the partners are recognised in their own right in the leading legal directories. The firm features in The Times ‘Best Law Firms 2019’ guide and won the Family/Matrimonial Law Firm of the Year award at Citywealth’s Magic Circle Awards 2018. Chair of the board, Frances Hughes, and Mark Harper are both ranked in the top ten family lawyers in Spear’s Wealth and Frances Hughes is ranked in the top 10 London lawyers (across all disciplines) in Super Lawyers and is Citywealth Entrepreneur Powerwoman of 2018. Most of the partners are fellows of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and some partners are also members of the International Bar Association. At least 80% of the firm’s work involves international elements and the firm deals with many jurisdictional disputes, having close links with lawyers and many other professionals overseas.

HFC’s full profile can be found on the Chambers HNW website.