JUNIOR PROFILE

Francis Hoar

UK Bar 2026

Field Court Chambers

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Election Law

London (Bar)

10 years ranked

Administrative & Public Law

London (Bar)

3 years ranked

About

Provided by Field Court Chambers

UK Bar

Practice Areas

Francis is a top-rated junior in public and election law. He is also recognised for his Court of Protection and inquests law expertise.

Francis acts in high profile judicial reviews. These have included challenging the 1st lockdown R(Dolan) v Secretary of State, 2020 decided by the Court of Appeal) as well as election law cases relating to the EU referendum.

He has advised the Home Secretary about the Metropolitan Police and the Communities Secretary about a local government matter. He acts for local authorities in community care, mental health and capacity (in the High Court and Court of Protection) and planning cases.

Francis acts in election petitions and prosecutions for election offences; and advises candidates, political parties, corporations and third-sector organisations on compliance with election law. Recent clients include Facebook, Zach Goldsmith, Sean Bailey and Sam Tarry MP. Francis acted for the successful petitioners in the landmark Tower Hamlets election petition in 2015 (Erlam v Rahman, ‘a tour de force’: Commissioner Mawrey QC).

Francis acts for employers and employees before the employment tribunal and in professional discipline cases. He has a particular focus on freedom of speech and philosophical belief discrimination cases. Reported cases include Adil v GMC (2023) and White v GMC (2021).

'Barrister of the week', The Lawyer 2020

‘Lawyer of the week’, The Times 2015

Professional Memberships

ALBA

ELBA

Publications

In Protection of Freedom of Speech (June 2021, Foreword by Lord Sumption).

Regularly writes as a legal commentator, including for the Daily Telegraph, Times and Independent.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Election Law - London (Bar)

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Francis Hoar is an expert in various aspects of election law and political party proceedings and disputes. He often advises in connection with major election petitions and regularly assists campaigning bodies on election issues. Hoar notably advised on matters relating to the EU referendum.

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Administrative & Public Law - London (Bar)

Band 4

Individual Editorial

Francis Hoar has a busy public law practice. He is frequently instructed by claimants in a variety of judicial reviews, and has notably acted in challenges concerning regulations in force during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Francis is an excellent barrister and his determination sets him apart, he keeps going and is relentless. His attitude to anything he is involved with is brilliant.
Election LawUK Bar
Francis has great enthusiasm in his approach.
Administrative & Public LawUK Bar
Francis is an excellent barrister and his determination sets him apart. He keeps going and is relentless.
Administrative & Public LawUK Bar