HFC has again retained its Tier 1 ranking for Private Client – Family in The Legal 500 2021, with Frances Hughes and Pauline Fowler maintaining their position in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame. The directory also recognises Partners Alex Carruthers, Mark Harper, Renato Labi and Caroline Park as Leading Individuals and Kate Brett as a Next Generation Partner. Bryan Jones is described as a rising star and Archie Best is described as a talented associate.

The Legal 500 noted:

Hughes Fowler Carruthers has acted in a very high number of key reported cases and remains a firm of choice for high-value cases (in excess of £1bn) and for pre and post-nuptial agreements, especially those that span multiple jurisdictions. It also has expertise in the legal issues surrounding same-sex relationships.

The ‘outstanding team’ is led by the ‘peerless’ Frances Hughes, who has been highly active advising stars in the film, music, stage and art world on a variety of financial family law applications, usually involving complex tax issues and international elements. Hughes also advises on child abduction and other unusual children’s issues. Pauline Fowler is also highly respected, along with Mark Harper, Renato Labi and Alex Carruthers. Caroline Park is frequently engaged in the most complex, cross-jurisdictional divorce and financial remedy cases, as well as handling pre and post-nuptial agreements and contested children cases.

“Hughes Fowler Carruthers remains one of the strongest finance litigation teams in the country”

“There are no weak links. The firm is capable of dealing with every area of family law and offers an unrivalled all-round expertise. I cannot recommend the team more highly. Frances Hughes is in my view the best solicitor practising in this area of the law. She has been in numerous reported cases; she is also a trained mediator and this indicates that she can settle cases as well as contest them. What is remarkable about her is her ability to get to the heart of the problem”

“No other firm has two family law superstars: Frances Hughes and Mark Harper. Frances Hughes is the toughest divorce solicitor in the country. She gets the best cases and knows just how to handle them. Mark Harper has tremendous litigation experience. He has been handling huge cases for many, many years”

“Hughes, Fowler and Carruthers is a small firm, which makes it feel less intimidating than some of the larger firms. You get the sense that this firm cherry picks the best of the best. From the staff at the front desk to the junior solicitors to the partners, they are all on the top of their game. Absolutely brilliant”

“Pauline Fowler is a brilliant solicitor. She was incredibly professional and knowledgeable, but was also empathic, thoughtful and very kind when navigating the complex and nuanced family dynamic at play in my case. I simply could not have got through that experience without her. Her insight is second to none and I could not recommend her and her team highly enough. Formidable yet personable”

“Caroline Park is outstanding – she is very strong, a tough but fair opponent and very pragmatic”

“Frances Hughes is a fearless litigator who consistently achieves fantastic results in cases that are too close to call. Alex Carruthers is a tough negotiator who knows when to fight a case. Renato Labi has a first-rate legal mind. He is charming to his clients but tenacious with the opposition”

“Bryan Jones is a rising star. Having learned at the feet of Frances Hughes, he is now handling very big cases himself. Kate Brett is also excellent. Archie Best is a talented associate who works very well with Mark”

The firm also retained its Tier 2 ranking for Private Client – Family: Mediation, with Pauline Fowler ranked as a ‘Leading Individual’.

HFC’s full Legal 500 profile can be found here.