Continued success for Hunters in The Legal 500 UK 2027
We are pleased to report another successful year in the latest edition of the Legal 500 directory, ranking in eight practice areas and individual recommendations for 19 lawyers.
Find out more about the Legal 500 and access Hunters’ full rankings here: Hunters Law LLP (Legal 500)
Family – Children: Tier 2
Our Tier 2-ranked Family & Relationships department is recognised as an 'outstanding firm in all matters relating to international family law’ and is praised for its 'unrivalled experience and expertise'. The team is also described as ‘a real force in the London children law market’.
Led by, Henry Hood, the team is experienced in a wide spectrum of cases, including child abduction proceedings, international child arrangements and domestic and international relocations.
Amy Rowe has a wide-ranging children practice, advising on jurisdiction disputes, wardship, fertility treatment and surrogacy matters, as well as cases involving serious welfare considerations. Olivia Piercy is particularly noted for her expertise in international children cases, especially those involving domestic abuse, while Jo Carr-West and Maria Wright are also recognised as key members of the team.
- Practice head: Henry Hood
- Leading partner: Amy Rowe
- Leading Associate: Maria Wright
- Next generation partner: Olivia Piercy
- Other key lawyers: Jo Carr-West
Family – Divorce and financial remedy: Tier 2
In divorce and financial remedy matters, our Tier 2-ranked team is described as being 'renowned in the industry' and 'at the forefront of some of the most complicated cases'. The practice is led by Henry Hood, who is praised for his 'encyclopaedic knowledge of family law' and has significant experience in cases involving landed estates and farms. He is supported by Richard Kershaw, who has particular expertise in cases concerning private equity assets.
Other key partners, Jo Carr-West, who regularly advises clients on wealth protection, Amy Scollan, who handles matters involving trust and company arrangements, and Alex Brereton, who represents clients in financial remedy proceedings concerning offshore wealth.
- Leading partner: Henry Hood; Richard Kershaw
- Next generation partner: Amy Scollan
- Other key lawyers: Jo Carr-West and Alex Brereton
Personal tax, trusts and probate: Tier 2
Our Private Client department is recognised for its 'real depth of knowledge and experience across all tax and trust matters' and 'particular strength in advising individuals, families, and trustees on tax and succession planning and the use of complex trusts and corporate structures'. Led by Matthew Yates, the team advises on personal tax, trusts and probate matters, with a strong focus on preserving wealth across international structures. Wilfrid Vernor-Miles handles capital tax planning, succession planning and international asset holding structures, while Lara Barton is a key contact for wills, trusts and powers of attorney.
- Practice head: Matthew Yates
- Other key lawyers: Wilfrid Vernor-Miles and Lara Barton
Family – Mediation: Tier 3
- Leading partner: Henry Hood; Jo Carr-West
Contentious trusts and probate: Tier 4
Our Contentious Trusts and Probate team is recognised for its ability to 'cover all bases when it comes to these sorts of matters' and is praised as a 'fantastic all-around team' delivering 'superb service'. Led by David Draisey, the practice routinely acts for trustees, beneficiaries and sovereign bodies in estate disputes, trust variations, will challenges and Court of Protection proceedings. Sunir Watts has particular expertise in trust variation and estate administration, while Francesca Turner focuses on Inheritance Act claims and estate fraud recovery. Richard Kershaw is also recognised as a key member of the team.
- Practice head: David Draisey
- Other key lawyers: Richard Kershaw, Sunir Watts and Francesca Turner
Art and cultural property: Tier 4
Our Art and Cultural Property team is praised for its 'excellent expertise, particularly when it comes to considering IHT heritage property' and 'particular strength in advising individuals, families, and trustees on tax and succession planning and the use of complex trusts and corporate structures'.
Jointly led by Matthew Yates and Julia Lewis, the team supports UHNW individuals, trusts and landed estates on the inheritance tax and estate planning implications of holding and disposing of art collections and heritage property. Mary Elliott and Sunir Watts add further depth to the practice.
- Practice head: Matthew Yates; Julia Lewis
- Other key lawyers: Sunir Watts and Mary Elliott
Residential property: Tier 4
Our Residential Property team is recognised for its 'very professional approach' and for being 'always very helpful'. Led by James Vernor-Miles, the team acts on a range of residential property matters, including the sale of townhouses and apartments, lease extensions and lease restructuring matters. James has particular expertise handling transactions involving listed buildings, supported by Scott Battram, who regularly advises on the sale of residential properties, and Cordelia Smith, who assists with lease extension guidance.
- Practice head: James Vernor-Miles
- Other key lawyers: Scott Battram; Cordelia Smith
Charities and not-for-profit: Tier 5
Our Charities and Not-for-Profit team is praised for its 'unique experience in safeguarding in both domestic and international situations' and is recognised as being 'extremely knowledgeable and approachable across all aspects of charity law, governance, and safeguarding'. Led by Dominik Opaliński, the practice is noted for its cross-border work across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, advising on safeguarding issues, establishing new charities, property transfers, charity registration and donation recovery. Dominik is particularly recognised for his expertise in the religious sector, representing national and international clients in disciplinary proceedings and advising on funds matters.
- Practice head: Dominik Opaliński
