Hughes Fowler Carruthers is delighted to announce that it has been named Specialist Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2026.

Widely regarded as one of the legal profession’s most prestigious awards, The Lawyer Awards recognise excellence, innovation and outstanding client service across the UK legal sector. The Specialist Firm of the Year award acknowledges firms that have demonstrated exceptional expertise, strategic growth and market-leading work within their field.

The award follows another outstanding year for Hughes Fowler Carruthers, during which the firm has continued to act on some of the most significant and complex family law matters before the courts of England and Wales.

Among them is the firm’s representation of Natalia Potanina in her ongoing claim for financial relief following a Russian divorce involving assets exceeding $19 billion. The case has progressed through the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, helping to shape the procedural framework governing Part III claims and cross-border financial relief. It is widely regarded as one of the highest-value divorce claims in English legal history.

The firm also represented Karen, Countess Spencer in high-value matrimonial proceedings resolved through arbitration. The matter raised important issues concerning the relationship between arbitration, family proceedings and parallel litigation, requiring careful coordination across multiple legal disciplines while maintaining strict confidentiality, which was addressed a decision given by Mr Justice Peel in the High Court.

In KV v KV, Hughes Fowler Carruthers acted for the wife in proceedings involving assets exceeding £5 billion and a complex international corporate and property structure. The team successfully secured English jurisdiction, obtained substantial interim provision and protective orders, and ultimately achieved a substantial settlement following highly contested proceedings.

These matters reflect the firm’s continued position at the forefront of ultra-high-net-worth family law, international divorce, jurisdiction disputes and complex financial remedy litigation.

The firm would like to thank its clients for their trust and confidence, and its exceptional lawyers and support teams whose dedication and expertise made this achievement possible.

The full list of winners can be found here.