Frances specialises in the international commodities trade, including in relation to crude oil, petroleum products, LNG, coal, metals and 'soft' commodities such as sugar, coffee and soy beans.
Frances is a partner in Reed Smith’s market-leading Energy and Natural Resources Group and is described in Legal 500 UK 2022 as, “Very prompt in understanding the issues at stake and adapting sharply to the client’s interests”. She has a special insight into the operations of clients in the energy and commodities industry, having worked as in-house counsel at a privately owned exploration and production group between 2014 and 2016.
Uniquely, Frances’ practice is split between non-contentious transactional work and dispute resolution, meaning she is able to advise and assist her clients at every stage of a transaction’s lifecycle.
Frances frequently represents clients in the English High Court and in arbitrations under institutional and trade rules such as UNCITRAL, LCIA, ICC, HKIAC, GAFTA, FOSFA and RSA. In addition to disputes under commodity contracts, this work includes managing legally and factually complex insurance recovery claims under both ‘physical’ and ‘financial’ risk policies.
Frances also advises clients on the drafting, negotiation and interpretation of commercial agreements for the marketing, sale, purchase, tolling, transportation, storage and insurance of commodities. This includes more than 10 years’ experience assisting clients in relation to the sale and purchase of LNG (and associated legal issues). Frances has also developed strong experience in inventory and storage monetisation transactions.
