Year of Call: 1985
Year of Silk: 1998
Frances called in 1985 after 8 years in the Fiscal Service and has become one of the most highly respected members of the Criminal Bar.
In 1991 she acted as Junior Counsel for the Crown in the Lockerbie Inquiry and in 1997 was appointed as an Advocate Depute prosecuting in the High Court in major and serious criminal cases as well as appearing for the Crown in the Appeal Court. She also held an appointment as a Temporary Sheriff from 1991 to 1997.
Having taken silk in 1998, Frances has become recognised as the top female criminal defence counsel, appearing constantly in the High Court, particularly in cases relating to murder, rape and serious organised crime.
Frances is the senior woman at the Scottish Bar and has been a member of various Faculty Committees over the years including the Faculty Council, the Faculty Disciplinary Committee and High Court Rules Council and is currently a member of the Criminal Courts Rules Council. Having been a Board member of the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission from 2010-2018, in 2020 she was appointed to be its Consultant Legal Adviser. In 2009 she was awardedan Honorary Doctorate from the University of Strathclyde for services to the law and to the University.