Overview Kirsty is a leading junior and junior in criminal law, increasingly instructed internationally and in cases with a human rights law element. In recent times she has defended in some of the most prominent and serious cases. Also, she is one of a handpicked number of barristers who defends private high profile/celebrity clients. Kirsty defended in the first murder case where the defence was heard "in camera" on grounds of national security. She was leading counsel defending in the first "juryless trial". In the previous three years, Kirsty has acted for two Chief Justices (the Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago and the Chief Justice of Gibraltar) and a solicitor. She has been appointed by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda as Counsel to a Commission of Inquiry into international fraud. She is an experienced appeal advocate (four substantive appeals on law in the preceding two years). She first led other counsel in 1999 and has maintained this level of practice. As vice-chairwoman of the Bar Human Rights Committee, Kirsty has carried out international trial observations, worked on death penalty cases from within the country and carried out training. In 2009, she led a delegation of UK barristers in providing human rights law training in Colombia. Kirsty was listed in Management Today's most influential 35 women under 35 (2003 and 2005). She was a spokesperson on behalf of 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). Kirsty was a member of the inaugural Times Law Panel from 2007 -2009 (classified as being one of the "Top 100 Lawyers"). She continues to advise upon consultation documents, Bills and other legislative measures - the latest being the Coroners and Justice Bill. Kirsty is licensed to accept Direct Public Access work. What the directories say Consistently, Kirsty has been recommended in Chambers & Partners as a leading junior in criminal law. Notable Cases - R v Twomey and others (2008 - 2010) [2009 EWCA 1035- armed robbery at Heathrow; successfully argued breach of Art 2 in relation to pros. main witness. Leading junior in first crown court criminal trial without a jury (s.44 CJA 2003). Represented Glenn Cameron at the Crown Court, Court of Appeal and in written advocacy to the Supreme Court. A further appeal is pending.
- R v Wang Yam (2008-2010) [2008] EWCA Crim 269 - murder trial-partly in camera; interlocutory appeal heard by LCJ (led junior). Appeal heard in 2010 (judgment reserved).
- Appointed Counsel to Commission of Inquiry in Antigua (2009 - 2010) - inquiry into diversion of monies from the repayment of a US$29 million loan. The Commissioner is the Chief Justice of New South Wales Australia.
- R v Bard and others (2009) - one of four defence counsel representing 29 environmental protestors who raised climate change defence of duress and prevention of crime
- R v Pham (2008 and 2009) - defence in criminal property under POCA charge.. Successfully argued that the police carried out an unlawful search.
- R v Liddy and others (2008) - defended in multi-handed murder trial. Complex issues of joint enterprise (led junior).
- Assisted drafting child rescue declaration for Kate and Gerry McCann (with Geoffrey Robertson QC) (2008)
- R v G (2009) - represented city banker charged with spiking a drink and rape. Acquitted. (junior alone)
- R v W (2009) - represented special needs teacher charged with multiple counts of cruelty to a severely disabled 10 year old child. There was evidence that colleagues perceived their jobs under threat if they supported the defendant. Devised and presented a preliminary argument of abuse of process relying upon European caselaw. Successful in stopping the prosecution at the close of the Crown's case (junior alone)
- R v M (2009) - defended against child rape charges (involved cross-examining two 8 year old girls). Eventual complete acquittal of the defendant.
- R v T (2009) - successfully argued abuse of process against a prosecution for historical sexual offences (prosecution appeal successful)
- R v Ahmed Elme (2007) - two man violent rape and robbery of a stranger on the street. It was a Sapphire cold case and the primary evidence was DNA. I challenged whether "full DNA profile" was a fallacy. I analysed pertinent caselaw criticising the use of the 1 in 1 billion statistic.(junior alone)
- R v Green (2007) - Belmarsh prison officer charged with rape of CARAT worker. Acquitted. (junior alone)
- Impeachment of Chief Justice of Trinidad (2007) - represented Chief Justice of Trinidad before a Tribunal chaired by Lord Mustill (led and leading junior). It was the first Tribunal worldwide to consider recommending removing a Chief Justice. The subject matter was described by the Tribunal as "almost defying belief". Chief Justice was reinstated to his office.
- AG v Chief Justice of Gibraltar (2008) - represented Chief Justice in judicial review matter (junior alone)
- R v Hume and others (2006) - conspiracy to disguise criminal property and POCA confiscation (leading junior)
- R v Temova (2006) - people trafficking rape allegation. Acquitted. (junior alone)
- R v Rashid (2006) - "honour killing". Acquitted (led junior)
- R v Z and others (2006) - multiple knifepoint gang rapes. Acquitted (junior alone)
- R v D.S and others (2002) - youths gang rape of 13 year old girl. Acquitted.(junior alone)
- R v A (2000) - nationwide "car ringing" of Mercedes Benz (leading junior)
- R v Amos, Amos, Amos (1999) - twin sister murder (leading junior)
- R v Vinnie Jones (1999) - appeal. Unable to overcome a jurisdictional issue. (junior alone)
Trial observations 2009 Bahrain Crown v Hasan Mashaima, Dr. Abdul Jalil Al-Singace, Mohammed Habib al Maqdad and others - observed hearing on behalf of BHRC (all detainees received a Royal pardon 2 weeks later). Pro-bono work - Predominently on behalf of Bar Human Rights Committee, including - Work in Kingston Jamaica (2005/2006) on capital murder cases (www.timesonline.co.uk article 17.10.06)
- Pro- bono project in Malawi; Human rights network
- BHRC representative in protests against Pakistan executive treatment of lawyers
- Project with CPS to roll out training programmes in Caribbean (2008-2010)
- Colombia project (2009 - 2010) - February 2009 fact finding mission in Colombia.
- Nigeria 'witch' children project (part of the Bar Human Rights Committee Child Rights Unit)
Publications Seminars/Lectures - "Corporate Manslaughter" (annual firefighters' conference and Essex firefighters' conferences 2004-2007)
- Cross-examining Young and Vulnerable witnesses (Young Bar Conference 2005)
- 3 day Human Rights Law training in Bogota Colombia (September 2009)
- Kirsty is a regular speaker in Doughty Street Chambers seminar programmes
Memberships - Spokesperson for the Bar (1998-2008)
- CBA committee executive (2004 - 2010) - organiser of CBA seminars at Bar Conference 2006-2008; representative at DNA workshops organised by ACPO, CPS etc.
- Bar Council Public Affairs Committee (2000-2007)
- Pro Bono Bar Caribbean Committee (2005 -2008)
- Central London Bar Mess Committee (2004 - 2007)
- Opinion Leader Research Panel (2005-2008)
- Representative for the Bar Human Rights Committee on the Euro - Med Human Rights Network (2005 - 2010)
- Populus Research Panel (2006-2008)
- Founder and Chairwoman of 187 Fleet Street Chambers' Human Rights committee (2005 - 2007)
- Bar Conference Organising Board 2006 and 2007
- Vice-Chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee (2009 - )
Other memberships - Lawyer for Liberty
- Oxfam
- Amnesty
- Reprieve
|
Year of Call
1991
Education
LLB (hons) Birmingham University
Email Address
k.brimelow@doughtystreet.co.uk
Click for contact details
Specialist Teams
Member :
|
