Nicholas Francis (judge)


Sir Peter Nicholas Francis is a High Court judge of England and Wales, who formerly practised as a barrister.

Early life

Francis was educated at Radley College before going up to Downing College, Cambridge.

Career

Francis was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1981, and became a QC in 2002. He specialised in family law, and became head of chambers at 29 Bedford Row in 2002.
He was appointed as an Assistant Recorder in 1999, and as a Recorder in 2000. In 2011, he was appointed as a deputy High Court judge.
He was promoted a High Court judge on 3 October 2016, assigned to the Family Division. As customary, he was knighted in the 2016 Special Honours.
In 2017, he ruled in the Charlie Gard case.

Honours

In 2016, Francis was appointed a Knight Bachelor.