We are six partners, Frances Hughes, Pauline Fowler, Alex Carruthers, Ann Ison, Joe Vaitilingam and Renato Labi, assisted by a team of experienced family lawyers.

We are all members of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association), and we are also part of an extensive international family law network through memberships of associations such as the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Bar Association.

We can provide a fully international service through our close connections with other professionals worldwide.

 
FRANCES HUGHES

Frances Hughes is the senior partner and head of Hughes Fowler Carruthers. She is a very senior and highly respected family lawyer, Governor at Large of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Vice President of the European Chapter of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She specialises in family law work, including divorce and complex children's cases. She is also a senior mediator. Chambers 2007 described her as "a tough opponent, with a strong personality renowned for her litigation skills but also a good negotiator" who gives her clients "the most fantastic service".
   Frances studied English at Oxford University before qualifying as a solicitor in 1981, and set up the family law department at Bates, Wells & Braithwaite in the City in 1983. She has been a member of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association) since its inception and also of the Family Mediators Association. Frances regularly writes and broadcasts on family law issues nationally and internationally.
   She has a keen interest in the arts and sits on the board of the Poetry Society. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

PAULINE FOWLER

Pauline Fowler is a founding partner of Hughes Fowler Carruthers. She is a well known and highly respected family lawyer. She studied music and worked in music publishing before qualifying as a solicitor in 1983. She has worked with Frances Hughes since 1985, first at Bates, Wells & Braithwaite (where she was a partner from 1990) and now at Hughes Fowler Carruthers.
   As well as specialising in complex divorce and children's work, Pauline also specialises in international adoption and is a senior mediator. She is a member of the International Bar Association, a fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and a member of Resolution and the Family Mediators Association. She sits on Resolution’s Property Tax and Pensions Committee. She is a regular broadcaster and writer on family law matters. Chambers 2007 describes her as highly regarded. It has referred to Pauline's "fine reputation on both finance and children work" and has described her as being "adept at drawing the sting out of aggressive opponents".
   Pauline retains her interest in music and is an accomplished violinist and pianist.

ALEX CARRUTHERS

Alex Carruthers is a founding partner of Hughes Fowler Carruthers. He studied science at Cambridge before qualifying as a solicitor in 1994. He practised at Bates, Wells & Braithwaite, first as a solicitor and then (from 1999) as a partner until the inception of Hughes Fowler Carruthers.
   Alex specialises in complex divorce work and children's work but also in international child abduction work. He helped set up the Young Solicitors Family Law Association in 1998. He is member of Resolution and the International Bar Association. He is a qualified mediator. The Legal 500 comments that he "has a great reputation".
   His interests include bridge.

ANN ISON

Ann joined Hughes Fowler Carruthers as a partner on 1 September 2004.
   Ann has a London University law degree and qualified as a solicitor in 1981. She was articled at Malkin Cullis & Sumption, joining Sears Tooth in 1988. She became a partner at Sears Tooth in 1990. She is a very well known and highly respected family lawyer who has been involved in many reported cases. Ann is described by Chambers as "extremely direct" and, as Chambersstates, she is "no primadonna but just gets her head down and gets the work done". The Legal 500 describes Ann as "a star in the ascendant".
   She specialises in the financial aspects of divorce as well as children's cases. She is a member of Resolution, the International Bar Association and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
   She lives in Dulwich and her interests outside work are in the arts, gardening and her children.

JOE VAITILINGAM

Joe Vaitilingam studied politics and economics at Oxford University before training at Bates, Wells & Braithwaite and qualifying into the family department in 1996. He became a partner at Hughes Fowler Carruthers in 2005.
   Joe provides specialist advice in complex financial and private children law cases, and is listed as a leading individual in Chambers. He also has substantial experience of international child abduction work. He is a member of Resolution.
   Joe lives in north London. His interests outside work include travel, current affairs and cricket.

RENATO LABI

Renato became a partner at Hughes Fowler Carruthers in 2005. He studied international history and politics at Leeds University, and qualified as a solicitor in 1997. He spent a year as a commercial litigator in City law firm DLA before joining the family department of Bates, Wells & Braithwaite in 1998.
   Renato has wide experience in dealing with financial disputes within divorce proceedings and following cohabitation, and in complex private law children cases. He is a member of Resolution and he sits on its London Region Committee. Renato is recommended as a leading individual in Chambers, and is described in the 2006 edition as "a performer up to [the firm’s] usual high standard".
   Renato’s interests include politics, music and the arts. He is a trustee of Poet in the City, a charity which organises high profile poetry events and raises money to fund the placing of poets in schools.