Robert Francis QC is top-ranked in clinical negligence by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. He is also recommended by Chambers & Partners for professional discipline.

Robert Francis QC benefits from tremendous experience of medical law. He is praised for his "gentle touch in the courtroom" and his "measured and dependable approach to complex cases." Chambers and Partners 2010

Robert Francis QC is 'one of the most high-profile names in the sector. "A silky-smooth and highly effective advocate," he “brings experience, savvy, and an ability to think round corners” to each case he handles.' Chambers and Partners 2010

Robert Francis QC is "outstanding in his grasp of the law"  Legal 500 2009

"...in great demand for his intellectual approach and client manner..." Legal 500 2008

"Robert Francis QC's “understated, easy style slips down nicely.” Francis garners praise for his “fine analytic mind” and his “circumspect but powerfully effective approach in the courtroom.” Chambers & Partners 2008

"The “smooth and unflappable” Robert Francis QC has an outstanding reputation in medical disciplinary cases. Clients and peers affirm that he has the “fair and impartial” touch needed when chairing disciplinary meetings. However, this “classy operator” also regularly represents doctors and dentists in the GMC and GDC and sits as legal assessor to the professional disciplinary committees of the General Optical Council (GOC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP)." Chambers & Partners 2008

"Robert Francis QC... acted on the 2006 Broadmoor and Stone inquiries, demonstrating the ability to deal with controversial cases with sureness and aplomb.” Legal 500 2007

Employment Robert Francis QC appears for employer NHS trusts and professional healthcare employees in internal disciplinary cases, including those held under HC (90)9, as well as any associated litigation. He also chairs NHS internal disciplinary proceedings.

Other areas of practice

Professional discipline and regulations  He appears on behalf of practitioners before the professional conduct committees regulatory bodies such as the General Medical Council, the General Dental Council and on appeals from them to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council or the High Court. He has sat as a legal assessor to a professional disciplinary committees of the General Optical Council and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.

Public inquiries  He is currently acting as chairman of a high profile inquiry the care and treatment of a psychiatric patient convicted of homicide [Michael Stone]. He appeared at the Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry and the Royal Liverpool Children’s Inquiry and the Inquiry to investigate how the NHS handled allegations about the performance and conduct of Richard Neale.

Public law  He undertakes applications for judicial review in relation to all areas of his practice.

Disciplinary  

R (Dowd) v General Medical Council Admin   [2003] All ER(D) 310 (serious professional misconduct – meaning)

Pembrey v General Medical Council  PC [2003] All ER(D) 275 (serious professional misconduct – treatment of mentally incompetent patients)

R (Cream) v General Medical Council   (Administrative Court, 31/1/02) (serious professional misconduct – meaning)

R (Nicolaides) v General Medical Council   Admin [2001] EWHC Admin 625 (Whether evidence untrue – serious professional misconduct)

Borges v General Medical Council   (Privy Council Appeal No 71 of 2000) (unreported 31/8/01) (serious professional misconduct

Roylance v General Medical Council   [1999] Lloyd’s Rep Med 139 (serious professional misconduct: chief executive of Trust; alleged bias of Chairman)

Public inquiries  Independent Inquiry into the Care and Treatment of Michael Stone [chairman]
Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry
Royal Liverpool Children’s Inquiry

Professional Associations  Executive committee [1998-2001]
Vice Chairman [2001-]
Professional Negligence Bar Association

Member of:  The London Commercial and Common Law Bar Association;
Personal Injuries Bar Association
The Criminal Bar Association.