Frances Beddow

Who? Frances Beddow, associate at A&O Shearman, London.

Why is she in the news? The firm provided pro bono support to Harry Dunn’s family and acted for them in relation to his inquest. A coroner ruled this month that Dunn died as a result of injuries sustained during a head-on collision with a car on the wrong side of the road outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.

Thoughts on the case: ‘It has been a privilege to support Harry’s family over the past four years and to help them finally understand the full circumstances of his death. They have shown such dignity and courage and I am immensely proud that we have at last been able to provide them with answers about the night Harry died. We were also pleased the coroner took on board the family’s submissions around the need for improved driver training for US personnel at RAF Croughton and measures to enhance roadside emergency care in her Prevention of Future Deaths reports. Harry’s family have always been clear that they do not want any other family to suffer the same loss. This case has been a team effort, involving both legal and business support from across our international network. We are incredibly grateful to Patrick Gibbs KC who represented the family brilliantly during the inquest and (on a personal note) kindly coached me through my first cross-examinations.’

Dealing with the media: ‘The media has been enormously important in Harry’s family’s fight for justice. The family’s remarkable campaign, led by spokesperson Radd Seiger, and the media support it has generated have already led to improved road signage and a national review of road safety outside all US bases in the UK. The media also has a role to play in ensuring that the coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths reports are now carefully considered and implemented by the relevant bodies.’

Why become a lawyer? ‘Initially because I liked researching and writing essays at university and I thought law would give me the same intellectual satisfaction. But as a law student, volunteering at legal advice centres, I realised law is a skill which truly helps people – it’s wanting to fight for my clients that has kept me hooked.’

Career high: ‘Having the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses on behalf of Harry’s family in the Coroner’s Court was very different to my day job as a commercial disputes solicitor, but it was a thrilling experience and it felt quite moving to be asking the family’s questions.’

Career low: ‘Qualifying as a lawyer mid-pandemic and working remotely for my first six months as an NQ was challenging, but preparing for my first Commercial Court trial at the same time was a real baptism of fire.’

 

Gazette columnist Joshua Rozenberg has recorded a podcast with A&O Shearman partner Andrew Denny and associate Frances Beddow on the Harry Dunn case. You can listen to it here

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