Kirsty Brimelow – QC | Balshaw’s Church of England High School

Kirsty practises in serious, complex criminal law together with human rights law. Her reputation is international and she is instructed in overseas jurisdictions by governments and private clients. Since 2007 she has been a member of the inaugural Times top 100 lawyers. She was appointed a spokesperson for the Bar from 1998-2008. In 2011, she was appointed Queens Counsel. She was selected by The Guardian as one of the stars in the Queens Counsel list. In the previous three years she has represented two Chief Justices and one solicitor. Kirsty is an experienced Court of Appeal advocate. In 2010, she was instructed to advise Julian Assange. In 2011, she has been instructed to compile the appeal in a high profile criminal case in the British Virgin Islands. Kirsty is one of a small number of hand picked barristers who represent celebrity clients. In addition, she works extensively, as vice-chairwoman of the Bar Human Rights Committee, on behalf of the poor and disempowered in countries such as Nigeria, Colombia and Jamaica. She carried out one trial observation in Bahrain. Within two weeks all defendants received a Royal Pardon. For recent cases visit www.doughtystreet.co.uk.

Kirsty was twice listed in Management Today’s most influential 35 women under 35 (2003 and 2005). She was appointed a spokesperson for the Bar Council between 1998 – 2008 and remains a regular legal commentator in the media. Her hundreds of television and radio appearances include: Newsnight, Panorama, Dispatches, Law in Action, File on Four, Today programme, breakfast television and news programmes. She has made one television show “You be the judge” (2005).

Career

Called 1991; Grays Inn; QC 2011.

Languages

French, Spanish.

Member

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

Education

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

Leisure

Kung Fu, music, exploring.