Specialist Family law barrister
Born in the East end of London and raised in Essex, Francis is quintessentially the barrister from a ‘non-traditional’ background. He was the first person in his family to attend university. Despite his humble beginnings, Francis was able to secure the prestigious Queen Mother scholarship from the Honourable Society of Middle Temple to fund his bar studies.
Francis started his legal career (following the completion of the Bar course) as a paralegal working for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in the MTIC Fraud department. Following his pupillage at Reeds Solicitors (Legal 500 criminal defence solicitors) in 2016, he transferred to the independent Criminal Bar. There, he undertook trial advocacy on a daily basis in the Magistrates and Crown Courts. His most notable success was securing the acquittal of his client in Court 1 at the Old Bailey for a 3rd strike burglary; his client had 67 previous convictions for burglary. This was just a couple of months after Francis secured pupillage.
Given the legal aid difficulties facing the criminal Bar, Francis briefly returned to HMRC as an employed barrister in 2017, working within the strategic litigation department. Alongside 4 other lawyers, he was responsible for safeguarding 5 billion of tax in defending judicial review challenges to various tax legislation. Francis worked alongside leading tax silks including Treasury Counsel, James Eadie KC. At the same time, Francis was a door tenant at a personal injury chambers in Liverpool and used his annual leave to conduct Fast Track and Multi-Track personal injury trials in the county courts.
In 2018, Francis became a tenant at No 18 Chambers. During his time at No 18, Francis has become a specialist Family law barrister. His practice now centres predominantly in private children act (CA) matters and financial remedy proceedings though he also represents parties in matters brought under the Family Law Act 1996.
In his CA work, he is often instructed in complex matters or sensitive fact-finding hearings involving allegations of physical or sexual abuse on children and frequently appears in multiple day final hearings. He has particular success in fact-finding hearings representing both Mothers and Fathers where his style of cross-examination is often applauded by judges as it is concise and effective.
In financial remedy proceedings, Francis enjoys a very busy practice, which tends to see him instructed across the Western circuit but also in London and the south-east. He often appears in final hearings and has advised and represented individuals on cases ranging up to £25 million.
Outside of work, Francis supports a dreadful football team (Leyton Orient), is a keen fan of boxing (for which he competed at an Amateur level for 8 years) and loves spending time with his two young children.
Francis understands just how difficult it is to pass the Bar Course and secure pupillage. He is keen to promote diversity at the Bar and relishes the opportunity to do so in his forthcoming involvement with the BIR programme.