Chambers of Frances Oldham QC
LONDON, WC1R 4JH, ENGLAND
- Tel:
- Work 020 7421 8000
- Fax:
- Fax 020 7421 8080
- DX:
- 360 LONDON CHANCERY LANE WC2
- Web:
- www.36bedfordrow.co.uk
- Email:
Frances Oldham QC
- Tel:
- Work +44 20 7421 8000
- Email:
Position
Frances Oldham is regularly instructed in high-profile and complex cases. She has considerable experience in criminal law and is instructed by both prosecution and defence. In family law, she is instructed by local authorities, parents and guardians. Her substantial criminal practice includes all aspects of serious and complex crime, particularly murder, manslaughter, serious sexual offences, child abuse, armed robbery and drug-related offences. Many cases involve complex medical (particularly neo-natal fatal injury) and scientific issues and mental health issues. In the family division she appears in substantial cases involving SIDS, factious illness syndrome and sexual abuse. Recent significant cases: Operation Monarch (prosecution in a three-month trial of five members of a Muslim family for kidnap, false imprisonment and murder of a faith healer; an honour killing involving sensitive cultural issues where convictions were obtained in respect of all defendants); R v Karen Matthews (defence of mother charged with kidnap and false imprisonment of her nine-year old daughter; novel issues of law, including disclosure to the media in advance of trial); Derbyshire County Council v Hart (successfully represented father in an application by the local authority for a finding that he forged the will of a millionaire friend and then murdered him; complex facts and legal issues relating to Chancery proceedings, Coroner’s Inquest and historic police investigation; the case was based on the fact that his four young sons had been adversely affected by father’s obsession with the death and the finding of a Coroner’s Inquest that it was not suicide; Mother alleged during acrimonious divorce proceedings that father forced her to lie at the inquest).
Career
Called 1977 Gray’s Inn; QC 1994. Assistant recorder 1991; recorder 1994 (authorised to try serious sex cases 2004); deputy High Court judge (Family Division) 2000; Mental Health Tribunal 2004.
Member
CBA; FLBA; leader of the Midland Circuit 2002-05.
Education
Retraite High School, Clifton, Bristol; Manchester University (1971 BA Hons law); Manchester Business School (1973).
