Robert Francis (barrister)


Sir Robert Anthony Francis, QC is a British barrister. He specialises in medical law, including medical and mental health treatment and capacity issues, clinical negligence and professional discipline. He has appeared as a barrister for and chaired several high-profile inquiries into medical controversies/scandals.
He qualified as Bachelor of Law at Exeter University. He has been a barrister since 1973 and became a Queen’s Counsel in 1992. He is a Recorder and authorised to sit as a deputy High Court Judge. He is a governing Bencher of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, where he has chaired its Education and Training Committee.

Notable inquiry work as barrister

He appeared as a barrister in inquiries for various NHS scandals:
He chaired various independent inquiries:
On 27 November 2013, it was announced that he had become the president of the Patients Association.
On 4 June 2014, it was announced that he had become a non-executive board member of the Care Quality Commission.
On 14 June 2014, it was announced that he had been knighted in the 2014 Birthday Honours.
On 24 June 2014, it was announced that he would be chairing an NHS whistleblowing review, the Freedom to Speak Up Review. The report was published on 11 February 2015.
On 19 September 2018, it was announced that he would be the new Chair of Healthwatch England.

Publications by Francis