Frances has significant experience of litigation arising from accidents at work, in public places, and on the road including complex multi-party liability disputes. Frances has a particular interest in complex issues of breach of duty involving employment in high-risk environments such as the emergency services and medical and care home settings. She also has particular experience in litigation involving the Animals Act 1971.

In personal injury litigation, Frances has a wide-ranging experience of injuries, from soft tissue through to catastrophic injuries and pain disorders. In industrial disease, Frances's experience includes cases involving asbestos-related conditions, noise-induced hearing loss, acoustic shock, and hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Whilst her passion is courtroom advocacy, Frances is equally accomplished at drafting and advisory work and is a regular attendee at JSM and mediation. Frances is also well-versed in all of the procedural and costs elements which arise from her substantive practice.

In addition to her practice at the bar, Frances sits as a Deputy District Judge and acts as an advocacy trainer on the North Eastern Circuit. She was a trustee of a large educational multi-academy trust for eight years and acted as an external examiner for the Bar Standards Board for five years.

Featured experience:

• Foggoa v J Murphy & Sons Ltd [2025] EWHC 1246 (KB) – successful defence of C's appeal against the first instance dismissal of the claim. Involved detailed consideration of the provisions of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and associated codes of practice.
• Hewitt v MKM Building Supplies (2024; HHJ Sephton KC Sitting as a judge of the High Court; Manchester District Registry) – successful defence of C's claim arising from an accident at work whilst driving a fork lift truck. Involved consideration of the extent of training and the safety of the premises. Included cross examination of orthopaedic experts on the issue of causation of C's traumatic central cord syndrome.
• M v X Foods (2023; Recorder Brain; Sheffield County Court) – represented D employer in a two-day trial arising out of a finger trapping in an accident at work. Included cross examination of psychology experts on the question of diagnosis of PTSD. Successfully obtained a finding of 25% contributory negligence and reduced damages from circa £250K claimed to an award of less than £60K.