Criminal Law and Appeals Inquests and Public Inquiries Extradition Actions Against the Police and Public Authorities Mediation Public International Law International Criminal Law International Human Rights Law International Media Defence Media, Defamation and Freedom of Expression Children's Rights Group

Kirsty’s has in depth practitioner expertise in criminal law and also in public law and international human rights law. She has particular expertise in homicide, fraud, sexual offences, drugs and torture cases, child rights and vulnerable witness cases and the law of peaceful protest.

Kirsty is ranked in band 1 in protest law and spotlighted for international human rights law alongside ranking for civil liberties and criminal law. Kirsty also is ranked for criminal law in the Legal 500.

Year of Call: 1991; Gray’s Inn; Year of Silk: 2011.

Kirsty is the winner of the First 100 years Inspirational Barrister Woman in Law 2018 and Winner of The Advocate International Pro Bono Barrister of the year 2018. She is Head of the International Human Rights Team and former member of the Criminal Bar Association Executive.

"Kirsty is an experienced, committed and hard working silk, who goes the extra mile for clients. Kristy has particular expertise in criminal cases involving issues of international law and human rights, deriving from vast, unparalleled experience in the field. She fights hard for the clients, but is unfailingly courteous, engaging." (Legal 500 2022)

She is the only KC to have represented protestors in both the civil and criminal Court of Appeal; establishing legal precedent.

Criminal Bar Association Executive (2003-10); Bar Human Rights Committee Executive; Amnesty; Human Rights Watch; Oxfam; Liberty.

Balshaw’s High School, Leyland; Birmingham University (1990 LLB Hons); Inns Of Court School of Law (BVC)