Hughes Fowler Carruthers has once again been ranked Band 1 for Family/Matrimonial in Chambers UK Guide, with Frances Hughes ranked as a Star Individual and three partners ranked Band 1.

The directory describes the firm as a “leading family boutique advising ultra high net worth and high-profile clients on post-separation issues as well as wealth protection agreements. Offers a strong practice in Children Act proceedings, including cases of international relocation. Renowned for its role in shaping recent developments in complex, multi-jurisdictional matters. Frequently involved in precedent-setting appellate proceedings, including those heard in the Supreme Court”. The directory also notes “they are all excellent and there is a collegiate feel in how they work as a team” and every individual “encountered at Hughes Fowler Carruthers was exceptional”. “You get loads of partner input, they are experts and they have a great can-do attitude,” according to commentators.

Frances Hughes retains her Star Individual status and is praised as “a real force”. “She is highly active and effective at what she does” and “gets the best cases and knows just how to handle them”. She is further described as “intellectually and strategically superb”.

Pauline Fowler is noted for her “vast expertise in multi-jurisdictional matters” and “her representation of high net worth clients in divorce proceedings involving substantial cross-border assets”. She is described as “fabulous”, “so clever and fantastically good”. “You know the case will be done properly and there will be no messing around”.

Alex Carruthers retains his Band 1 rank and is praised for his “high-quality advice on both financial and children-related disputes” and “massive experience in high and ultra high net worth mandates”.

Mark Harper retains his Band 1 rank and is “highlighted for his longstanding knowledge of trusts and has significant strength in multi-jurisdictional matters”. The directory notes “He has run the biggest cases and he is excellent.” Mark is “absolutely superb and very commercial. He’s really just at the top of his game”. “He is one of those people who you know is thinking all the time and thinking about the next step”.

Renato Labi also retains his Band 1 rank and is described as “highly recommended for his established practice in divorce proceedings”. “He is calm, supportive of clients, very tactical and leaves no stone unturned; he absolutely gets the results”.

Caroline Park’s ranking has increased this year, and she is described as “an exceptionally talented” and “outstanding” family lawyer who “really understands the commerciality of the case”. “Her particular skills are in her strong intellect. She is also strategically sound and clinical while being kind-hearted to clients”.

Bryan Jones has achieved a ranking this year and is commended for being “very talented and hard-working”. The directory further notes “he is fantastic at dealing with complex high net worth divorces. He has a great ability to juggle many balls at once and not drop any. He is also very good at making the client feel cared for”. Bryan is “very diligent, clever and thorough. He handles the most complex litigation extraordinarily well”.

View HFC’s full editorial on the Chambers and Partners’ website here.