Professional practice

Francis completed pupillage in 2024 and is now developing a broad practice in line with Chambers’ profile. Before coming to the English Bar he practiced as a barrister and solicitor in Australia, appearing (unled) in the Federal Court, Western Australian Supreme Court and other courts and tribunals across a wide range of practice areas, including public law, taxation, commercial, employment and criminal law.

Recent and current instructions include:

  • United Company Rusal v Whiteleave Holdings Ltd & Ors: acting for the claimant in major civil fraud proceedings currently before the Commercial Court (led by Nathan Pillow KC, Tom Ford and Sophia Hurst).
  • Acting for insurers in a marine insurance claim involving the deliberate scuttling of a vessel (led by David Walsh).
  • Advising on an urgent injunction application in an international shareholder dispute (led by David Davies KC).
  • Acting (unled) for the defendant in a claim for breach of contract, breach of confidence and unjust enrichment in the Circuit Commercial Court arising out of the acquisition of a UK food services company.
  • Working (on secondment) in the internal Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office legal team on judicial review proceedings arising out of the presence of migrants on the island of Diego Garcia: R (KP) v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs [2025] EWHC 370 (Admin).

Notable cases with which Francis assisted during pupillage include:

  • A marine war risks insurance claim which is now one of the leading authorities on the duty of fair presentation under the Insurance Act 2015: Delos Shipholding SA v Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty SE (The “Win Win”) [2024] EWHC 719 (Comm).
  • A two-week Chancery Division trial concerning PPE procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic: Advanced Multi-Technology for Medical Industry v Uniserve Ltd [2024] EWHC 1725 (Ch).
  • A marine cargo insurance claim which is one of the first authorities on the breach of warranty provisions of the Insurance Act 2015: MOK Petro Energy FZC v Argo (No. 604) Ltd (The “F1”) [2024] EWHC 1935 (Comm).
  • Various COVID-19 business interruption insurance cases, including Gatwick Investment Ltd v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE [2024] EWHC 124 (Comm).

Francis has a particular interest in public and public international law. He was recently seconded to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office where he advised on law of the sea and refugee law issues and on matters relating to the proposed UK-Mauritius treaty on the status of the Chagos Islands. He has previous experience as a government lawyer in Australia, acting in a range of judicial review matters, including (as solicitor) in two leading constitutional cases before the High Court of Australia arising out of an AUD 29 billion arbitral dispute: Mineralogy Pty Ltd v Western Australia (2021) 274 CLR 219 and Palmer v Western Australia (2021) 274 CLR 286.

Francis holds a BA and LLB (ranked first in year) from the University of Western Australia, LLM (first class) from the University of Cambridge and MPhil (distinction) from the University of Oxford. He has also taught public law and companies law at the Australian National University and had academic work accepted in leading academic journals, including (recently) the Cambridge Law Journal.

 

Career

2024: Tenant at Essex Court Chambers

2023-24: Pupil at Essex Court Chambers (with David Walsh)

2023: Called to the Bar (Inner Temple)

2023: Casual Sessional Academic, Australian National University

2022: Research Assistant, University of Oxford

2017-21: Barrister and Solicitor, State Solicitor’s Office (Western Australia)

2016: Judge’s Associate, Supreme Court of Western Australia

2016: Admitted to practice in Western Australia

Education

2021-22: MPhil Law, The Queen’s College, Oxford (Distinction)

2019-20: LLM, Pembroke College, Cambridge (First Class)

2010-15: LLB, University of Western Australia (Hons First Class, 1st in year)

2010-13: BA Classics, University of Western Australia (First Class)

Awards

2021-22: Clarendon Scholar, University of Oxford

2020: Pembroke College Cambridge Foundation Award

2019-20: Davis McCaughey Cambridge Australia Scholarship

2015: Conflict of Laws Prize (LLB)

2014:

Jean Rogerson Honours Studentship (ranked 1st entering final year of LLB)

Prize in Advanced Evidence and Proof

2013: John Norman Barker Prize in Law (highest marks in 3rd year LLB)

2012:

Thomson Reuters Prize in Equity

Keith Graham Nicholson Memorial Prize in Property

Rose and Cecil Owen Bequest Prizes in Classics (x2)

John Antonas Memorial Prize in Greek History

2011: Rose and Cecil Owen Bequest Prize in Classics

2010:

Bertha Elvina Shillington Prize in History

John Antonas Memorial Prize in Greek History

RJB Bosworth Prize in History

Publications

Select publications:

‘Counterfactuals in Unjust Enrichment’ [2025] Cambridge Law Journal [forthcoming]

‘Parliament, the Judiciary and Fundamental Rights: The Strength of the Principle of Legality’ (2017) 41 Melbourne University Law Review 30

Arbitration & related court applications

Recent instructions include:

  • Acting for reinsurers in a series of six related ad hoc arbitrations arising out of treaty reinsurance of a Middle East energy account.
  • Acting for shipowners in a s. 69 appeal from an LMAA award.
  • Acting for charterers in an LMAA arbitration.

During pupillage, Francis assisted with:

  • An application for a worldwide freezing order under s. 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in support of a proposed foreign-seated arbitration.
  • An application for early determination of an LCIA arbitration in which a member of chambers was sitting as arbitrator.
  • Research for an appeal to the Court of Appeal under s. 68 of the Arbitration Act.
  • Various issues arising in Bermuda form and other excess liability insurance arbitrations.
  • Submissions on the proper curial law of a foreign-seated arbitration.
  • Various LMAA arbitrations.

While practising in Australia he worked on a major bilateral investment treaty arbitration.

Banking & financial services

During pupillage, Francis gained experience of proceedings to enforce a standby letter of credit and proceedings concerning the effect of the UK and EU sanctions regimes on standby letters of credit. He has also published in a leading Australian banking and finance law journal.

Civil Fraud & Asset Tracing

Francis is currently acting for the claimant in United Company Rusal v Whiteleave Holdings Ltd & Ors (with Nathan Pillow KC, Tom Ford and Sophia Hurst) – major High Court proceedings relating to the management of Norilsk Nickel, the largest mining company in Russia and one of the world’s largest producers of nickel and palladium.

During pupillage, Francis assisted with:

  • An application for a worldwide freezing order in a case involving allegations of dishonest conduct by a former employee.
  • Advising on a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation by the buyer under a share purchase agreement for the sale/purchase of a medical equipment supplier.

He also gained experience of civil contempt proceedings and assisted with advice on high-value civil fraud proceedings on appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Commercial chancery disputes

Francis is currently instructed in an international shareholder dispute involving allegations of unfair prejudice. During pupillage, he assisted with a two-week Chancery Division trial and subsequent application for PTA relating to PPE procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic: Advanced Multi-Technology for Medical Industry v Uniserve Ltd [2024] EWHC 1725 (Ch). He also gained experience drafting pleadings in a partnership dispute.

Commercial dispute resolution

Recent instructions include:

  • Acting (unled) for the French defendant in Circuit Commercial Court proceedings for breach of contract, breach of confidence and unjust enrichment arising out of the acquisition of a UK food services company.
  • Acting (unled) for a Singaporean company in a claim against a UK-based former senior employee relating to liability for UK tax.

During pupillage, Francis also assisted with a range of general commercial matters, including:

  • Drafting pleadings for Commercial Court litigation between a supplier and purchaser of electronic components.
  • A two-week Chancery Division trial and subsequent application for PTA relating to PPE procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Advice on formation of contract issues in several commodities disputes.
  • Drafting pleadings for an aircraft leasing dispute.
Company & Insolvency Law

Recent instructions include:

  • United Company Rusal v Whiteleave Holdings Ltd & Ors, a dispute between the shareholders of one of the world’s largest nickel and palladium producers; and
  • A dispute between the Swiss-based shareholders of a UK tech company involving allegations of unfair prejudice.

Francis has also appeared as counsel in numerous winding up applications in Australia. During pupillage he gained experience of advising on a shareholder dispute relating to the exercise of share options and assisted with research on reflective loss issues in another shareholder dispute. He has also published case notes on several insolvency cases in a leading Australian journal and previously taught company law at the Australian National University.

Conflict of laws & private international law

Recent highlights include:

  • Advising on choice of law and choice of jurisdiction in a prospective claim under a contractual indemnity executed in the UAE.
  • Advising on the merits of a challenge to jurisdiction by a French defendant served out of the jurisdiction.
  • Advising on service of an arbitration claim form out of the jurisdiction, including in British Overseas Territories.
  • Assisting (during pupillage) with an application for a worldwide freezing order and advice on anti-suit injunctions.

Francis also has a longstanding academic interest in conflict of laws, having received the conflict of laws subject prize during his LLB and achieved first class results in the conflict of laws paper during his Cambridge LLM.

Energy & natural resources

During pupillage Francis assisted with a six-day Commercial Court trial concerning contamination of a blended gasoline cargo: MOK Petro Energy FZC v Argo (No. 604) Ltd [2024] EWHC 1935 (Comm). He also gained experience of advising on:

  • A dispute involving contamination of a gasoil cargo.
  • A dispute relating to ownership of natural gas resources, involving the application of the Petroleum Act 1998 (and its predecessors), the common law property torts, and the law of unjust enrichment.
Human rights & civil liberties

Francis recently completed a secondment at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office where he worked on judicial review proceedings relating to the presence of migrants on the island of Diego Garcia (R (KP) v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs [2025] EWHC 370 (Admin)) and advised on international human rights law, immigration law, and the legality of the use of force and deprivation of liberty.

His practice in Australia included advising both government and members of the public on civil liberties issues, including use of force, deprivation of liberty, and the validity of warrants.

 

Insurance & reinsurance

Recent highlights include:

  • Acting for treaty reinsurers in six related ad hoc arbitrations relating to the reinsurance of a Middle East energy account (with Philippa Hopkins KC).
  • Acting for marine insurers in a claim under an MII policy arising from the scuttling of a vessel (with David Walsh).

During pupillage, Francis assisted with a range of insurance and reinsurance cases including:

  • Gatwick Investment Ltd v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE [2024] EWHC 124 (Comm): on ‘prevention of access’ clauses in COVID-19 business interruption insurance claims.
  • Delos Shipholding SA v Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty SE (The “Win Win”) [2024] EWHC 719 (Comm): a marine war risks claim which is now one of the leading authorities on the duty of fair presentation under the Insurance Act 2015.
  • MOK Petro Energy FZC v Argo (No 604) Limited (The “F1”) [2024] EWHC 1555 (Comm): a cargo insurance claim which was one of the first cases to consider the warranty provisions of the Insurance Act 2015.
  • Lals Holdings Limited v Emirates Insurance Company (PSC) [2024] DIFC CA 002: an appeal in the first COVID-19 business interruption insurance claim to be litigated in the DIFC.

Francis also assisted with:

  • Drafting pleadings in a coverage dispute under a US liability policy.
  • Advising in a coverage dispute under a political risks policy.
  • Advising on limits in a COVID-19 business interruption insurance dispute.
  • Advising on a range of excess liability insurance and reinsurance disputes, including issues relating to coverage, exclusions, and choice of substantive and curial law in Bermuda form arbitrations.
Offshore Litigation

During pupillage, Francis assisted with advice on the application of the Segregated Accounts Companies Act 2000 of Bermuda. He was also exposed to a major civil fraud matter litigated in Bermuda and now on appeal from the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Francis has previously spent time on secondment with the overseas territories team in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and therefore has a good familiarity with British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean and elsewhere.

Professional negligence

During pupillage, Francis assisted with the preparation of expert cross-examination in an auditors’ negligence claim.

Public & administrative law

Francis recently completed a secondment with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, during which he worked extensively on litigation and advice work arising from the presence of migrants on the island of Diego Garcia, including the unsuccessful rationality challenge in R (KP) v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs [2025] EWHC 370 (Admin). He also has experience, acting for government, of public interest immunity claims.

He has several years of experience practising public and administrative law in Australia, including acting as junior counsel in judicial review matters and advising government at all levels (up to and including advice to senior ministers and Cabinet) on a wide range of administrative and constitutional law matters.

Before joining Essex Court, Francis also volunteered with the Environmental Defender’s Office in Australia, advising on judicial review matters relating to police powers, and taught constitutional law at the Australian National University. His MPhil thesis at the University of Oxford addressed unjust enrichment claims against public authorities, including the public law aspect of such claims.

Public international law

Francis recently completed a secondment with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which included advising on law of the sea and refugee law issues, and work on the proposed UK-Mauritius treaty relating to the status of the Chagos Islands.

He has previously had experience in Australia advising government on international trade law issues (including the negotiation of the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement and proposed EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement) and a major bilateral investment treaty claim.

Shipping & admiralty

Francis has experience in a range of shipping and marine insurance matters. Recent instructions include:

  • Acting for insurers in a claim under an MII policy arising from the scuttling of a vessel.
  • Acting for shipowners in a s. 69 appeal from an LMAA award.
  • Acting for charterers in an LMAA arbitration.

During pupillage (with David Walsh), Francis assisted with a range of shipping matters including:

  • A war risks insurance claim which is now one of the leading authorities on the duty of fair presentation under the Insurance Act 2015: Delos Shipholding SA v Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty SE (The “Win Win”) [2024] EWHC 719 (Comm).
  • A marine all risks cargo insurance trial and subsequent application for permission to appeal: MOK Petro Energy FZC v Argo (No. 604) Ltd (The “F1”) [2024] EWHC 1935 (Comm).
  • Drafting submissions in a range of LMAA charterparty disputes.
  • Assisting with a dispute relating to a yacht brokerage agreement.

Francis also had experience during pupillage of shipbuilding, charterparty, general average, tonnage limitation and yacht brokerage and insurance disputes.

Unjust enrichment & restitution claims

Francis has a longstanding academic interest in unjust enrichment (including forthcoming work to published in the Cambridge Law Journal). Recent instructions include:

  • Acting for the defendant in a claim to recover an introducer’s fee relating to a corporate acquisition as a quantum meruit.
  • Acting for a claimant in a mistaken payment claim to recover tax paid on behalf of an employee.