Brian Hughes, practising solicitor and founder of the Essex and London law firm now known as Rainer Hughes, qualified as a solicitor in 1965 and says he has dealt with every type of legal problem. A qualified family mediator since 1995, Brian rather fittingly celebrates his 90th birthday during Family Mediation Week. Here, he shares the insight he’s gained over a legal career spanning six decades.
What was your career path to your current role?
After gaining a degree in law at Cambridge, I joined a firm of stockbrokers in the City with the intention of taking the examinations leading to the position of company secretary in a FTSE company. I passed the intermediate exams and I thought it would be an interesting and worthwhile career – and then decided to become a solicitor instead!
I sought Articles to become a solicitor with a City practice and coincidentally I was articled to Brian Hugh Cooke, a partner at Bircham &Co, which was subsumed into Speechlys and later into Charles Walker, Russell ( I think).
On qualifying I set up in practice as solicitor on my own account in Billericay because I had developed a large travel business during my spare time. The grew and blossomed, as did my second practice in Shenfield. I had to dispose of my travel interests.
Did you have any other career ambitions?
Merely to pass on to the members of the practice the skills I have acquired in dealing with clients and complex problems.
What keeps you motivated in your work?
The desire for justice in this imperfect world and the desire to challenge pretence and subterfuge – when practised by my fellow lawyers.
What has been the best development in family law in the last 20 years?
The growth in mediation. My late wife, a consultant psychologist, and I set up an organisation called Resolve because we both believed separating couples needed counselling as well as legal advice when entering into divorce.
We spent two years going round the country promoting the concept, but were scuppered by Derry Irvine who failed to implement the provisions of the Family Law Act 1996, upon which we had based Resolve.
And the worst?
The delay in processing applications to courts – of whatever sort.
If you could bring in one new piece of legislation for the sector, what would it be and why?
One that required greater and more immediate transparency in the provision of information by divorcing couples. But I’m not sure how one can effect that.
What piece of legislation would you take off the statute books and why?
This is difficult again. It is more a matter of ensuring the law as it stands is more effectively enforced in the courts.
What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you regarding your career?
Know your subject thoroughly before giving advice on it! If all practising solicitors had a better grasp of their subject, a great deal of time (and cost to clients) could be saved.
Do not expect, however, to become an expert straightaway in family (matrimonial) matters and never consider yourself superior to those with whom you come into contact – your fellow professionals and clients.
Tell us something people may be surprised to know about you…
I am the only solicitor to have operated, for three years, a bus service between Billericay and Kathmandu using Ford Transit minibuses and long wheel base Land Rovers. My company, Hughes Overland, being the third largest trek company in the UK at the time.
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