Frances Heaton KC > Chambers of Frances Heaton KC and Richard Norton > Manchester, England > Barrister Profile
St John's Buildings Offices
St John's Buildings
24A-28 ST JOHN STREET
MANCHESTER
M3 4DJ
England
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Frances Heaton KC
Work Department
Family - Children
Position
Frances Heaton KC is Joint Head of Chambers at St John’s Buildings.
Frances practises in all aspects of family law concerning children, and sits as a Recorder (Family and Crime). She has a Section 9 ticket, so is permitted to hear certain High Court cases.
Frances is in demand in very complex public law children proceedings in which the central issues include exceptionally serious injuries, non-accidental death / murder (child or parent), serious sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, very serious neglect, torture, learning and mental health difficulties, fabricated or induced illness, reporting restriction orders and the curtailment of parental responsibility.
In these she is instructed by local authorities, parents, children, grandparents and interveners. Her skill and expertise is sought after and she is regularly instructed in high profile cases.
Frances undertakes judicial review, which most recently has included special guardianship allowances.She regularly appears in the Court of Appeal where the issues have included the revocation of placement orders and appeals against findings of fact.
In addition Frances continues to accept instructions in complex private law children cases and she has a particular interest in issues of habitual residence, the international movement of children, relocation and child abduction.
Frances also undertakes surrogacy cases and particularly those that have a foreign element.
Colleagues and tribunals recognise Frances’ clear ability to assimilate and grasp the issues of the most complex cases. She is particularly noted for the sensitivity with which she handles these difficult cases and for her sensible, straight-forward advice and approach.
Frances regularly provides seminars and lectures to family solicitors, social workers and expert witnesses.
Career
Frances read law at Sheffield University, and was called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn in 1984. She took silk in 2012.
Memberships
- Family Law Bar Association [Committee Member]
- Recorder 2002 [Crime and Family (Public and Private)]
Lawyer Rankings
Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Family: children and domestic violence
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1Frances Heaton KC – St John’s Buildings ‘Frances has a superb grasp of issues and a mastery of complex briefs at very short notice. Her advocacy is excellent and clear and she works well with junior counsel and instructing solicitors to provide good client care.’
The members of ‘go-to chambers’ St John’s Buildings handle cases at all levels of courts, including the Family Division of the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, and they are praised for ‘extensive experience in the field’. Frances Heaton KC is instructed by local authorities, parents, grandparents, children, and interveners in complex public law children proceedings, and she has expertise in parental alienation cases. Karl Rowley KC is skilled regarding cases that concern complex medical evidence, and Lorraine Cavanagh KC has a thriving practice, frequently handling complex brain injury cases and medically challenging fatal injury cases. Shaun Spencer KC made Silk in 2023 and has substantial experience in cases regarding child deaths and sexual abuse.