Frances McClenaghan

Practice Areas

Frances has a depth and breadth of expertise in police and medical matters. She acts in a range of connected proceedings: inquests and inquiries, judicial review hearings and before police misconduct panels.

She achieves excellent outcomes for her police clients. In Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis v A Police Misconduct Panel [2022] EWHC 2857 (Admin), Frances successfully challenged a panel’s decision to issue final written warnings to firearms officers found to be dishonest.

In her medical practice she has a particular expertise in matters concerning mental ill-health. Recently Frances represented the family at an inquest where neglect was found based on systemic failings by mental health services with regards a vulnerable young adult. The claim was settled following mediation at which she advised. She has represented the Metropolitan Police in Morahan – concerning the death of a voluntary patient on unauthorised leave – throughout (see R (Morahan) v Her Majesty’s Assistant Coroner For West London [2021] EWHC 1603 (Admin) and [2022] EWCA Civ 1410).

Frances has acted for government departments, including the Cabinet Office in the Covid Inquiry and the Ministry of Defence.

She is called to the Northern Ireland Bar.