Frances McClenaghan

Call 2009

Frances McClenaghan | Call 2009

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Overview

Frances has a busy clinical negligence practice, acting on behalf of claimants and defendants (the NHSLA and the Medical Defence Organisations). She represents families, NHS Trusts and individual healthcare professionals at inquests, including those engaging Article 2 ECHR. Frances is hard working and sensitive to the concerns of the client, be they patients, medical clinicians or NHS Trusts.

Clinical Negligence & Healthcare

Frances co-authored chapter six: Procedure – Going to Court in the fourth edition of the book Medical Treatment: Decisions and the Law.

“Frances works hard and is always on top of her papers.  Not only does she think quickly while on her feet but she has a good court room manner.”
Lisa O’Dwyer, Director Medico-Legal Services at AvMA

experience & expertise

Pleadings and Advices
Frances advises and drafts pleadings in a wide range of matters. Her recent cases have included:

  • a contribution claim in a cauda equina case against the service providing spinal services. Several allegations related to incorrect advice as to waiting times by receptionists, therefore requiring consideration of Darnley v Croydon Health Services NHS Trust ([2018] UKSC 50).
  • a claim by a mother as a secondary victim for psychological injuries sustained after seeing a birth-related injury to her child.
  • a claim for human rights damages by family members of a deceased mental health patient who died due to suicide during hospital leave. Frances has particular expertise in the assessment of human rights damages.

She is experienced in conducting conferences with parties and experts. She is instructed in cases arising in Northern Ireland.

Oral Advocacy
Frances regularly appears in both the County Court and the High Court in clinical negligence matters, including at directions hearings, costs management conferences and application hearings for interim payments.

Frances has experience of applications to rely on genetic evidence and the arising ethical implications. Recently she represented a claimant in a case concerning delayed diagnosis of meningitis in a baby where genetic evidence was sought to explore whether the claimant had pre-existing neurological impairment. Her proposed solution was adopted by the court.

Product Liability

Frances has advised in vaginal mesh and metal on metal hip implant cases. She has assisted Eloise Power in the JJML Pelvic Organ Prolapse Products Litigation.

Inquests
Frances has extensive inquest experience arising in the context of medical treatment, including where capacity is an issue. She draws on her Court of Protection experience in these difficult cases. Recently Frances represented the family at an inquest where neglect was found on the basis of systemic failings by mental health services to provide support and accommodation to a vulnerable young adult. She is instructed in the civil claim which is ongoing.
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Public Access Accredited
Called to the Bar of Northern Ireland

publications

Medical Treatment: Decisions and the Law, Fourth edition, Bloomsbury Professional

articles

seminars

pro bono

  • Court of Appeal Pro Bono Scheme participant
  • Represented families through the Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA) Pro Bono Inquest Service

awards

  • Sir Walter Wigglesworth Scholar, Lincoln’s Inn Pupillage Scholarship
  • College of Law Negotiation Competition Prize
  • College of Law Civil Procedure Prize

qualifications

  • LLB (Hons) – University of Durham, (2006)
  • BVC – College of Law, London (2008)

memberships

  • Personal Injuries Bar Association
  • Professional Negligence Bar Association