Frances Ridout, LLB hons, BVC, MA, SFHEA

Profile

Frances is the Director of the Legal Advice Centre based within the Department of Law and a practising barrister. In addition to her duties as the LAC Director, Frances teaches two LAC modules; The Practice of Law in a Clinical Environment and StreetLaw which are on the undergraduate degree. Frances is an expert in the current law surrounding the sharing of intimate images, and regularly speaks on this topic. She is also Deputy Director for Queen Mary's Hub for Professional Practice, which aims to impact the future of practice through research-informed life-long education

Prior to joining Queen Mary University, Frances was working at the independent criminal bar.  She practiced from 15 New Bridge Street Chambers, where she remains an associate tenant. Her work included conducting criminal and quasi criminal cases – mainly funded through legal aid.  Frances also has extensive experience of representing those who have been arrested at the police station.   

Frances has experience of prosecuting and defending in high profile matters such as the LIBOR prosecutions conducted by the Serious Fraud Office and the trial of Asil Nadir in relation to Polly Peck. Her experience spans criminal law, procedures, evidence and disclosure. While in practice she regularly appeared at the Crown Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Most notably Frances represented Terrance Calix in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in his 2013 appeal for damages for false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.      

Throughout her career Frances has worked on social justice cases, human rights issues and pro bono matters. She remains, as she has always been, committed to the provision of legal services for those who cannot afford to pay for representation.

Frances is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Undergraduate Teaching

Frances is the course convenor for the undergraduate optional modules; LAW6156: The Practice of Law in a Clinical Environment, and Law6462: Public Legal Education and Community Street Law.

Research

Publications

Book chapters

• The Provision of Immigration Advice and Services by University Law Clinics, The Clinical Legal Education Handbook, Edited by Linden Thomas and Nick Johnson, 2020 - open access publication
• Regulation of Barristers and University Law Clinics, The Clinical Legal Education Handbook, Edited by Linden Thomas and Nick Johnson, 2020 - open access publication

Articles

• "The 4th UK and Ireland Best Practice Street Law Conference 2019”, Frances Ridout, The International Journal of Public Legal Education Vol 4 No.1 (2020)
• "Immigration University Clinics and regulation: a working case study", Frances Ridout, Deirdre Gilchrist, Jeremy Dunn, The International Journal of Clinical Legal Education Vol 25, No 3 (2018) 135-149
• "Review of StreetLaw: Democracy for all – Learners Manual”, The International Journal of Public Legal Education Vol 2 No. 1 (2018).

Blog posts

• The Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre, with Frances Ridout
• Has the Time Come to End Anonymity on Social Media?
• Does the Proposed Bill Provide do Justice for Upskirting?
• The need for upskirting legislation and how other laws fall short

Public Engagement

• Frances is a member of the Pro Bono and Social Responsibility Committee of the Bar Council.
• In summer 2020 Frances was invited by the Legal Services Board to be part of an evidence gathering panel about grass roots advice services.
• Frances is one of four co-hosts on the podcast ReImagine Law which is about legal careers and education.  Episodes can be found on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
• Pick-up Artists and image based sexual abuse, Newsweek
• Frances contributed to the Law Commission consultation and pre-consultation on Intimate Images
• Dawes Centre for Future Crime Cybercrime Conference “Unpacking Image-based Sexual Abuse Legislation” - July 2021.
• BBC Radio Humberside, April 27 2016.
• 'Victims of revenge porn turn to students for legal advice', The Guardian
• The Family Law Week
• UK StreetLaw Best Practice Conference; September 2016; “Undertaking StreetLaw in Schools – SPITE for Schools.”
• Regulation Matter; “Taking Pride in Modern Legal Services”; July 2017
• Public Policy Exchange Conference; March 2017; “Revenge Pornography, two years on:  Building Partnerships and Addressing Gaps in the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.”
• Sex Rights and Pleasure Lab Conference; Institute of Development Studies; January 2017; “Digital Sexual Violence”.
• Frances remains a door tenant at 15 New Bridge Street chambers. Whilst in post she retains her link with the profession and regularly appears in court conducting criminal cases. She also regularly attends the police station representing those who require a ‘duty solicitor’.

Related news

• Mishcon de Reya LLP and the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre submit joint submissions to the Public Bill Committee on the Online Safety Bill
  27 June 2022
• Has the Time Come to End Anonymity on Social Media?
  9 August 2021
• Alumni profile - Fran Ridout
  25 May 2021
• Queen Mary launches Black Justice Project to tackle discrimination
  9 November 2020
• Queen Mary’s Legal Advice Centre wins Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence
  6 August 2020
• Queen Mary launches Arts and Culture Support Centre
  22 May 2020
• Global Day of Action for Climate Justice
  6 December 2019
• School of Law wins prestigious pro bono award
  2 May 2019
• Queen Mary School of Law recognised for its public engagement successes
  8 March 2019
• LAC Director Frances Ridout gives lecture on issues with revenge porn legislation in UK
  12 November 2018
• Does the Proposed Bill Provide do Justice for Upskirting?
  20 August 2018
• The need for upskirting legislation and how other laws fall short
  18 July 2018
• Frances Ridout speaks to Wired about Facebook trial to tackle online revenge porn
  9 November 2017
• LAC's Frances Ridout speaks to Regulation Matters on how pro bono can benefit all
  5 September 2017