We are six partners, Frances Hughes, Pauline Fowler, Alex Carruthers, Ann Ison, Joe Vaitilingam and Renato Labi, assisted by associate Fiona O'Connell and a team of experienced family lawyers, Alexis Cooper, Kate Elliott, Rachael Sharp, Catherine Silwal and Caroline Park.
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.
PARTNERS
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 2008 describes her as "famously
determined in her client's cause", and 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 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 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 has
referred to Pauline's "fine reputation
on both finance and children work" and Chambers 2008 describes
her as "a
good tactical thinker who can constructively negotiate, but who can be tough
when necessary".
Pauline retains her interest in music and is an accomplished violinist and pianist.
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, the International
Bar Association and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is a
qualified
mediator and collaborative lawyer.
The Legal
500 comments
that he "has
a great reputation", and Chambers 2008 describes him as "energetic,
clever
and going places".
His interests include bridge.
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 handled many reported cases.
Ann is described by Chambers as "able to defend her client's corner
very well" and,
as
Chambers states, she is "no prima donna 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 is a qualified collaborative lawyer.
She lives in Dulwich and her interests outside work are in
travel and the arts.
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. Chambers 2008 reports that Joe "impresses counsel
as an astute tactical thinker and
earned the respect of opposing solicitors for his constructive attitude".
He
also
has
substantial
experience
of
international
child
abduction
work.
He
is a member
of Resolution and a qualified collaborative lawyer.
Joe lives in north London. His interests outside work include
travel, current
affairs and cricket.
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 in both Chambers and Legal 500 as a leading
individual,
and
has been
described
in Chambers as "a performer up to [the firm's] usual
high standard". Chambers 2008
says he is "one of the best for private law child work" and known
for handling
"high level ancillary relief and prenuptial agreements".
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.
ASSOCIATE
Education
University of Southampton, LLB (Hons)
College of Law, London, Legal Practice Course
Career
Trained at Gersten & Nixon Solicitors 1999-2001
Solicitor in Family Department at Payne Hicks Beach 2001-2004
Joined Hughes Fowler
Carruthers in 2005
Professional Membership
Resolution. Qualified collaborative lawyer
Interests
Music and travel.
ASSISTANT SOLICITORS
Education
University of Middlesex, BA (Hons), Criminology
University of Cambridge, MPhil, Criminology
College of Law, London, Postgraduate Diploma in Law
College of Law, London, Legal Practice Course
Career
Trained at Needleman Treon Solicitors 2004-2006
Solicitor in Civil Litigation Department at Needleman Treon Solicitors 2006-2008
Joined Hughes Fowler
Carruthers in 2008
Professional Membership
Resolution
Interests
Kickboxing and travel.
Education
University of Cambridge, BA (Hons), History
University of Chicago, MA, Social Sciences
University of the West of England, Postgraduate Diploma in Law
BPP, London, Legal Practice Course
Career
Trained at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 2003-2005
Solicitor in Tax Department at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 2005-2008
Joined Hughes Fowler Carruthers in 2008
Professional Membership
Resolution
Interests
Food and wine, walking, theatre.
Education
University of Liverpool, BA (Hons), French and Spanish
College of Law, Chester, Postgraduate Diploma in Law
College of Law, London, Legal Practice Course
Career
Trained at Eversheds 2003-2006, including secondment to Paris office
Joined Hughes Fowler Carruthers in 2006
Professional Membership
Resolution
Interests
Cinema, travel and reading.
Education
University of Oxford, BA (Hons), French and Classics
College of Law, London, Postgraduate Diploma in Law
College of Law, London, Legal Practice Course
Career
Institute of Linguists 2003-2005
Trained at Boodle Hatfield 2005-2007
Joined Hughes Fowler Carruthers in 2007
Professional Membership
Resolution
Interests
Languages (French, Nepalese and German), painting, reading and kayaking.
Education
University of Birmingham, BA (Hons), Ancient History and Archaeology
College of Law, Birmingham, Postgraduate Diploma in Law
College of Law, Guildford, Legal Practice Course
Career
Trained at Davenport Lyons 2004-2006
Joined Hughes Fowler Carruthers in 2006
Professional Membership
Resolution
Interests
Riding, sailing and skiing.
HFC
What we do Our approach Who we are Where we areAcademy Court, 94 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1DT, mail@hfclaw.com