Hughes Fowler Carruthers has again been ranked Tier 1 in the Legal 500 UK 2027 for Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy, with the guide noting all partners are “internationally acclaimed”, leading a wider “tenacious, strong-minded, and client-focused team” who are “consistently responsive, clear in their communication, and proactive in anticipating challenges”. The guide praises “the combination of deep legal expertise with a genuinely client-focused approach.”

The individual rankings are:

• Frances Hughes – Hall of Fame
• Alex Carruthers – Hall of Fame
• Mark Harper – Leading Partner
• Renato Labi – Leading Partner
• Caroline Park – Leading Partner
• Kate Brett – Next Generation Partner
• Lauren Deane – Recommended Lawyer
• Stacey De Souza – Recommended Lawyer
• Cheyenne Spowart-Shaw – Recommended Lawyer

The guide states “Alex Carruthers and his team demonstrated not only strong technical knowledge of family law but also a high level of empathy (especially in a betrayal situation) and understanding, which made a difficult process far more manageable.”

“Mark Harper is a highly experienced and tenacious partner with unparalleled expertise in cases involving overseas trusts and international families.”

“Renato Labi is a very smooth operator – charming with clients, and they look at him in awe! Alex Carruthers is the most dynamic lawyer I know – he is full of energy all the time and has an annoying way of being able to simplify the most complex issues in a sentence or two.”

“Caroline Park has a computer-like mind, which means in addition to being wonderful with clients, she knows absolutely everything in the papers and can pull it all together so easily to see the landscape of a case whilst standing in the forest of disclosure.”

“Lauren Deane is an oracle of a lawyer – whether it is the papers or the law, Lauren knows it all.”

“Of the associates, Stacey De Souza is a partner in the making, and Cheyenne Spowart Shaw is so good it is frightening.”

The guide also enthuses that “HFC really is the best. They are experts in every field and a “go-to” boutique firm. Every lawyer under their roof is super bright with an answer to every legal question. They are head and shoulders above other firms. They get results and are frequently at the cutting edge of significant case law.”

The firm is described as “simply stellar” with “the perfect combination of robust representation and pragmatism when required”, contributing to its status as a “top-tier family law firm with extensive experience in dealing with high-profile and complex litigation.”

Read the full rankings here.