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Frances Ridout, LLB hons, BVC, MA, SFHEA

Frances

Director of the Legal Advice Centre (Clinical Legal Education), Barrister & Senior Lecturer

Email: frances.ridout@qmul.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)2078823931
Room Number: Mile End
Website: http://www.lac.qmul.ac.uk

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.

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: Street Law.

Research

Publications

Book chapters

Articles

Blog posts

Public Engagement

  • 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’.

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