Kirsty was appointed Queen’s Counsel (King’s Counsel) in 2011. She was the Chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (2012-2018) and Chair of the Criminal Bar Association (2021-2023). As Chair, Kirsty led barristers’ action to increase criminal legal aid and successfully led negotiation with the government, resulting in a 17% increase in legal aid fees. She led the deal successfully through the membership ballot. Kirsty is Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales in 2026.
Kirsty practises in criminal, international and public law from Doughty Street Chambers. She serves on the management board as co-head of the Criminal Law team. She is an accredited mediator and acts in conflict resolution and was part of the Colombian peace process. She is an experienced trainer, facilitator, and conference speaker in international human rights around the world, holding consultancies to the United Nations and OSCE.
“I was awarded a scholarship by Gray’s Inn. It was an injection of cash, with a sweetening of confidence. It enabled me to become a barrister. As a student, I was an active member of the Inn. I enjoyed debating, performing – melodramatically – in a musical written by one of the barristers and representing Gray’s Inn in mooting competitions. As a junior barrister, I joined Gray’s Inn Choir and delighted in singing in the chapel. As the years have ticked by, I have become a Bencher, a Trainer of Ethics and Advocacy and have been on committees interviewing students and awarding the scholarships. I was elected to the Management Committee for 3 years where I also advocated for better visible representation of the diverse members of the Inn around Gray’s. Whilst change of portraits is slow and expensive, I think these photographs are an excellent window into the range of barristers who have passed through Gray’s Inn Hall and whose support is part of their stories.”
- Extended Bio
In 2018 Kirsty won the First 100 Years Inspirational Woman in Law Barrister of the Year Award and the Bar Council’s Advocate’s pro bono International Barrister of the Year Award. Kirsty is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Kirsty is a Bencher of Gray’s Inn. She is a Trustee of WWF- UK and Visiting Professor at Goldsmiths Faculty of Law, University of London. She sits as a Recorder and as a Deputy High Court Judge.