Frances is praised for being “absolutely excellent" and a specialist in child custody matters. "If you want someone to really fight, she's the one; you don't want her on the other side." She focuses her practice exclusively on the family law sphere and draws regular praise for her assured handling of both matrimonial and child-related cases. Her significant expertise in complex matrimonial and financial cases involving settlements, third-party interests and family trusts sits alongside her extensive child-related experience advising on custody, care and control, wardship and Hague Convention cases. 

Chambers & Partners Greater China Region (2022)

 Frances Irving is a key name in the set for child law cases. 'She is excellent on children law matters.' She is recognised as a Leading Junior for Family & Private Client Law.

Legal 500 Asia Pacific HK Bar (2022)

Frances Irving has been ranked as Leading Junior Counsel for Hong Kong Family & Divorce Law by the Doyles Guide 2022.

Doyles Guide (2022)

Frances Irving focuses her practice exclusively in the family law sphere and is widely endorsed for her capable handling of matrimonial and child-related cases. She is “excellent on children matters” and “a strong matrimonial barrister, too.” Her significant expertise in complex matrimonial and financial cases involving settlements, third-party interests and family trusts sits alongside her extensive child-related experience advising on custody, care and control, wardship and Hague Convention cases. 

Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2021)

“Excellent in children matters. Frances is one of two juniors at Des Voeux Chambers who is held in high regard by peers and solicitors, particularly for her child law work.” Frances Irving is singled out as a Leading Junior for Family & Private Client Law.

Legal 500 Asia Pacific HK Bar (2021)

Frances Irving has similarly been recognised by Doyles Guide, Hong Kong 2021 as a Leading Junior Counsel in the Family, Divorce and Matrimonial arena. 

Doyles Guide (2021)

Frances Irving of Des Voeux Chambers acts exclusively in the family law space, operating across the full spectrum of practice area disciplines, but being particularly well known for her handling of matters affecting children, including custody, care and control, removal application and wardship issues. Sources characterise her as “very highly regarded, very detail-focused and very, very well prepared” and as a “tough and well-respected advocate who is not afraid of a scrap” when the occasion demands it.

Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2020)

Frances Irving received acclaim as a Leading Junior Counsel category by the Doyles Guide for Leading Family & Divorce Law Barristers – Hong Kong, 2020

Doyles Guide (2020)

Frances Irving of Des Voeux Chambers concentrates wholly on family matters, operating in both the financial and custody spaces, her expertise covering such areas as nuptial settlements, ancillary relief and third party interests. She is best known for her work where the interests of children are concerned - and where she has valuable prior experience as a social worker - one source calling her “very experienced” in this area and pointing out that she “fights her corner” here particularly tenaciously.

Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2019)

Frances Irving has been recognised by Doyles as a Leading Junior Counsel in the Family, Divorce and Matrimonial arena from 2016 - 2018 inclusive.

Doyles Guide (2016 - 2018)

Frances Irving of Des Voeux Chambers devotes her entire practice to family law matters, covering all branches of the discipline, but focusing most closely on child and welfare issues, one interviewee describing her as “one of the most experienced handlers of children’s matters” and adding: “She’s great on that.” She acted for the respondent father in JDYS v EYCK, a shared care dispute in which her client sought to have the case referred to the Court of Appeal.

Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2018)

“Frances Irving of Des Voeux Chambers practises exclusively in the family sphere, covering the full range of matrimonial concerns, and is recognised by sources as “very experienced with children’s matters” in particular, having begun her career as a social worker handling child welfare issues in the UK. She is further characterised as a “tough advocate who’s always committed.” She recently acted for the successful party in a long-running custodial case made complex by the fact that the parents were unmarried.”

Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2017)

“Frances Irving of Des Voeux Chambers has a broad family practice that spans a variety of financial, matrimonial and child disputes. Areas of specialism include ancillary relief matters involving such issues as prenuptial and postnuptial settlements and trusts. Irving is also adept at handling child-related work, particularly custody applications and Hague Convention cases.”

Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2016)