Biography
I'm the Regional Head for the Serious Injury team at Irwin Mitchell's Newcastle office and Middlesbrough consulting office.
I specialise in pursuing claims following serious brain and spinal cord injury and have achieved many multi-million-pound awards on behalf of my clients.
I'm recognised for my experience and specialism by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) - I'm an APIL Fellow and an Accredited Brain Injury Specialist.
Testimonials
"Fran is a very experienced and accomplished lawyer." - Chambers & Partners 2025 (Ranked: Band 1)
"If you are looking for a friendly, reliable, trustworthy and caring solicitor who want the best for you and know the right team to look after you look no further than Irwin Mitchell.
"They have been working with me on my case for almost 2 and a half years and I couldn't speak highly enough of them. We were lucky enough to have been looked after by Henry Frankish, Francesca Mayes and Emma McPartland. All if them were fantastic at looking after not just me but my wife as well. These people are an asset to any company and we can't thank them enough." 5* Trustpilot review
"Irwin Mitchell provided me with excellent care throughout my claim including getting me a psychologist, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist and a rehabilitation assistant who all worked brilliantly together. And they got an amazing result for me in my claim. Five stars really isn't enough." - 5* Trustpilot review
‘‘The Irwin Mitchell teams have been, and continue to be, exceptional in every dealing I have had with them over the past 16 years. The individuals to whom I would give special mention are Fran Mayes, Jane Pyrah and Rebecca Maddock from the personal Injury Team. They are dynamic lawyers who are beyond capable, straight talking, approachable, dependable and who ensure they develop quality human relationships with their clients’" - Legal 500, 2024
"The standout partner is Fran Mayes. I have been working with her for at least 15 years. She is hugely experienced and knows exactly how to approach a claim. She is very good at dealing with difficult defendants. She is empathetic with her clients. Understands their problems and ensures that their needs are met." - Legal 500, 2024
"Fran’s client care is outstanding, she understands client’s needs and ensures this is considered in the advice and services she provides. Not only is Fran very proactive and knowledgeable, but she is also calm under pressure and great to work with. The litigation process can be a difficult time for clients, especially those who have suffered injury. Fran, and her team, take the time to develop excellent relationships with clients and support them through the litigation process. Fran has built a great team around her at the Newcastle office." - Legal 500, 2023
"When we 1st met Fran and Rebecca we knew straight away they were different from our previous solicitors. There was no agenda on their part they just wanted to do their best for my daughter and the rest of the family. They listened to what we had to say and realised straight away the effects of what happened to My daughter ripped through the whole family.
"They acted straight away and started to put the family back on track before anything else. We were kept informed probably on a daily basis on every step through the process... There are a lot of PI solicitors out there who proclaim to be the best. Believe me, you won't find a better team than this lot. We will never forget what they have done for all of us especially my daughter." - 5* Trustpilot review
"...They are so professional and have an excellent compassionate manner. They have a broad spectrum of knowledge especially to do with my husbands injuries. I sincerely can’t thank them enough for the hard work they have done so far. I would definitely recommend them to anyone. Reliable and trustworthy." - 5* Trustpilot review
"...Fran and Jane from the Newcastle office, stepped in and guided us through this process, offering amazing knowledge and support to everyone in the family. Excellent advice towards the settlement, no hesitation to recommend this fantastic company and their five star team." - 5* Trustpilot review
"Fran is a very experienced solicitor. She has a good 20 commercial approach to cases and is a good litigator." - Chambers & Partners, 2022 (Leading Individual - band 1)
"Fran is absolutely brilliant. "She is experienced, knowledgeable and shows steady, insightful and decisive leadership within her team and on cases. "A very experienced personal injury solicitor who demonstrates excellent empathy with clients and often takes an innovative, tactical approach on cases." - Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Leading Individual - Band 1)
"Francesca Mayes is an exceptionally good leader who has built an excellent department." - Legal 500 2022 (Leading Individual)
"Very innovative, resourceful and a creative thinker." – Chambers & Partners, 2020
"Creative and original in her approach to cases...a very nice person who is easy to work with." - Chambers & Partners, 2018/19
“Francesca Mayes is an exceptionally good leader who has built an excellent department.” - Legal 500 2022 (Leading Individual)
"Total star...pragmatic and very sharp" - Legal 500, 2018/19
"She is very experienced, offers a really high-quality service and clearly runs an extremely good team." - Chambers & Partners, 2018
What Inspired You To Get Into Law?
A member of my family worked with the Citizens Advice Bureau for many years. While I was at school I used to visit for work experience in my holidays and found their work very interesting and tremendously worthwhile. I decided while I was still at school that I wanted to be a lawyer and I am sure this early experience helped to mould my desire to help people in my future career.
While I was at Sheffield University studying law I met some representatives from Irwin Mitchell who really impressed me by their enthusiasm and commitment to their work. They seemed like a pretty fun group of people too!
From an early stage I identified personal injury as the area I wanted to specialise in. The mixture of medicine and the law has always interested me and I enjoy working with people to bring about the best result for my clients.
What Is The Most Rewarding Aspect Of Your Role?
It is incredibly rewarding to be able to help people to arrange good quality care and rehabilitation and to watch their condition and quality of life improve as a result.
It is lovely to catch up with people I have helped in the past and very rewarding to hear how they move on with their lives after their compensation claims come to an end.
What Do You Like About Working At Irwin Mitchell?
I really enjoy working with an enthusiastic and talented group of colleagues who share in a common goal of helping people following injury.
I am fortunate to have access to a network of solicitors at Irwin Mitchell specialising in other areas of law such as family, conveyancing, court of protection, wills, probate, employment and public law who I can call on for advice and support for my clients.
