Kathryn Hirst

Year of Call: 1986

Specialist practice areas: Serious Crime, Serious Sexual Offences, Regulation/Compliance, Asset Forfeiture, Anti-terrorism, Prison Law, Inquests & Public Inquiries

Kathryn Hirst’s confident but understanding style and her interest in Mental Health Act cases, have given her a reputation for consummate skill in handling difficult clients and vulnerable witnesses. This expertise has stood her in good stead in a number of high-profile murder and sexual offences trials, where she has both prosecuted and defended.

Kathryn regularly leads in her own right as well as acting as lead junior. Her recent highlights include a false accusation of rape, the “spiking” of food with diazepam, and R v Mathurin, a case arising from Operation Trident

In 2010 she successfully defended one of those charged in Operation Retriever with grooming young and vulnerable girls in Derby and committing serious sexual offences against them.  She prosecutes and defends in cases involving allegations of serious sexual assault. She is also experienced in cases of drugs importation, corruption, fraud, money laundering and asset forfeiture.

She deals regularly with matters involving public interest immunity and disclosure.

In addition to criminal trial work Kathryn appears regularly at Parole Board hearings representing lifers and others sentenced to indeterminate prison sentences.

She has a working knowledge of sign language and a wide knowledge of motorbikes.

She is accredited by the Bar Council to provide Public Access services.