Frances Hughes has been made The Times’ Lawyer of the Week , following her success in acting for Christina Estrada in the High Court, where the judge awarded Estrada £53 million — the highest “reasonable needs” award in a UK court. Estrada’s Saudi husband, Dr Juffali, who initially claimed diplomatic immunity, was ordered to pay the sum by the 29th July.

On the challenges the case presented Frances said “I was instructed very late in the day, in mid-December 2015 when there seemed to be insuperable difficulties. Proceedings were blocked by Dr Juffali on the basis of diplomatic immunity — he was also extremely ill and has since died. With incredible assistance from the Foreign Office and the courts, the final rejection by the Supreme Court of his appeal came within 12 weeks — judgment was given and orders made at breakneck speed by the family court. Due to time pressure, Mrs Estrada had to abandon any claims for a percentage of the assets so we were extremely pleased that she was awarded the highest needs award.”

Read the full article in The Times here .