Frances McClenaghan
UK Bar Guide 2025
Band 3 : Police Law: Mainly Defendant
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Band 3
About
Provided by 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.
Chambers Review
UK Bar
Frances McClenaghan represents police forces across the UK in a variety of disciplinary matters and cases arising from injury and death in police custody. She is also instructed on matters involving human rights breaches and inquests.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Frances knows her own and is very efficient and personable."
"She gains the trust of clients and tribunal quickly."
"Frances knows her own and is very efficient and personable."
"She gains the trust of clients and tribunal quickly."