Frances McMenamin KC

Frances called in 1985 after eight years in the Procurator Fiscal’s office during which time she served as junior counsel on the Lockerbie Inquiry. She is now one of the busiest and most respected members of the criminal bar.

Frances took silk in 1998 and has become recognised as the top female criminal defence counsel, appearing frequently in the High Court, particularly in murder, rape and other sexual offences cases.

Frances has been a board member of the Scottish Criminal Cases Review commission since 2010, sits on the Lord Justice General’s Criminal Courts Rules Council and serves on many of the Faculty of Advocates’ committees. She has also served as Vice President of the Faculty Criminal Bar Association and was personally appointed by Lord Bonomy to be a member of his Review Group on Post Corroboration Safeguards.

Frances’ services to the law and the University of Strathclyde, of which she is an alumnus, were recognised in 2009 when the University awarded her the Honorary Degree of Doctor