Clients ‘greatly appreciate’ the ’user friendly’ style at boutique firm Hughes Fowler Carruthers, which offers the full range of domestic and international finance and children expertise. Frances Hughes heads up the practice, specialising in complex divorce cases which involve high-value assets and multiple jurisdictions. Alex Carruthers ‘is a powerhouse of a lawyer’, sought after for complex legal issues involved in matrimonial finance cases, while Pauline Fowler is recommended for her ability to find ’creative solutions that work for real families‘. For pre-nuptial and pre-civil partnership agreements, Mark Harper is a go-to, and Renato Labi ’negotiates as well as he litigates‘ in high-stakes divorce matters. ’A brilliant lawyer and a clever tactician‘, Caroline Park handles long-running and often cross-border cases; such international matters are also an area of expertise for Kate Brett. The team’s children practice handles international relocation, abduction, adoption and surrogacy matters, along with sensitive issues of domestic abuse and coercive control.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They care. They are intelligent, mindful, insightful and very respectful of their clients needs and wishes, whilst professionally steering the client through the necessary processes. Informed decision making at all times.'
‘Renato Labi is one of the very best divorce solicitors in London. He has been involved in some of the very biggest cases which have come before the courts over the last few years. He handles them amazingly. I have seem him out-maneuver his opponents and marveled at his tactics. He is incredibly intelligent and fights as hard as he possibly can for his clients, but is always charm personified to his opponents. He negotiates as well as he litigates.'
‘Caroline Park is a stand out for me. A brilliant lawyer and a clever tactician. Never fails to achieve an outstanding result whether by negotiation or in a hearing. My favourite person to work with. Accessible and completely on top of every detail.’
‘Pauline Fowler has great wisdom and judgment. She knows how to find creative solutions that work for real families but isn't afraid to fight when needed.'
‘The team offers strength in depth across all family law matters, particularly matrimonial finance. HFC have also managed to retain their user friendly style, avoiding becoming the 'big corporate' and maintaining focus on the individual client. I believe that this is greatly appreciated by clients.’
‘Mark Harper continues to stand out as a leading practitioner. His experience in international matters and trusts positions him as the 'go to' lawyer in these complex areas. His down-to-earth manner is greatly appreciated.'
‘Alex Carruthers is a powerhouse of a lawyer, very experienced and exceptionally good at managing clients who have the highest of expectations.’
‘HFC are the stand out market leaders in family law. Their clients can be 100% confident that they are getting the right advice and that the best team on their side.’
Work highlights
Represented Natalia Potanina in the landmark cases Potanin v Potanina [2021] EWCA Civ 702 and Potanina v Potanina [2024] UKSC 3, staking the client’s claim for financial relief after a Russian divorce proceeding awarded her less than 1% of her ex-husband’s estimated $19bn fortune.
Representing a wife in heavily disputed, high-stakes financial proceedings in the High Court, reported as DR v ES [2022] EWFC 62, and related proceedings under the Children Act.
Successfully acted for the ex-wife of a millionaire hotelier to set aside a consent order from March 2018.
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Practice head
Frances Hughes
Other key lawyers
Alex Carruthers; Pauline Fowler; Mark Harper; Renato Labi; Caroline Park; Kate Brett