Nicholas Francis (judge)

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Sir Peter Nicholas Francis is a British retired High Court judge.[2]

Sir Nicholas Francis
Justice of the High Court
In office
3 October 2016 – 1 May 2024
MonarchCharles III
Personal details
Born
Peter Nicholas Francis

(1958-04-22) 22 April 1958 (age 66)
Glamorgan, Wales[1]
NationalityBritish
Alma materDowning College, Cambridge

Early life

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Francis was educated at Radley College and Downing College, Cambridge.[2]

Career

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Francis was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1981, and became a King's Counsel in 2002. He specialised in family law, and became head of chambers at 29 Bedford Row in 2002.[2]

He was appointed as an Assistant Recorder in 1999 and later a Recorder to sit on the South Eastern Circuit in July, 2000.[3][4]

He would be appointed as a Deputy High Court judge in 2011. He would later be appointed as a High Court judge in 2016 and assigned to the Family Division by the Lord Chief Justice. He received the customary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II on16th of December 2016.[5][6]

On 22 April 2024, the Lady Chief Justice issued Francis with formal advice for misconduct related to having delayed the issuing of a judgement by 18 months after the hearing had taken place.[7] Francis retired nine days later.[8]

Notable cases

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In 2017, he ruled on the controversial best interests case of Charlie Gard.[9]

References

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  1. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007
  2. ^ a b c "Francis, Hon. Sir (Peter) Nicholas". Who's Who.
  3. ^ "Knighthoods and DBEs conferred: 18 November 2016" (Press release). GOV.UK. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Crown Office | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood | Honours and Awards | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  6. ^ "No. 2666969". The London Gazette. 16 December 2016. p. 1105.
  7. ^ "Statement1724". www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  8. ^ "High Court: Retirement of The Honourable Sir Nicholas Francis". Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  9. ^ Fouzder, Monidipa (11 April 2017). "Baby's parents 'struggling to understand' life support ruling". The Law Gazette. Retrieved 25 July 2017.