Caro Fraser was educated in Glasgow and the Isle of Man, before attending Watford School of Art and London University, King's College, where she studied law. She was called to the Bar of Middle Temple in 1979. After leaving Art School, Caro Fraser worked for three years as an advertising copywriter. She then studied law, and read for the Bar, after which she spent six months in pupillage. Before turning to writing, she worked as a shipping lawyer. She is married to a solicitor and has four children.