Profile
Work Department
Position
Regulatory & Public Law, Inquests & Inquiries
Ranked Tier 1 for Inquests and Inquiries in The Legal 500 (2025)
Ranked Band 1 for Inquests & Public Inquiries in Chambers and Partners (2025) – 5 years ranked
Kirsten Mercer specialises in inquests, professional disciplinary and regulatory crime.
Kirsten is a highly impressive inquest advocate and has a broad inquest practice, representing a wide array of interested persons in inquests including bereaved families, healthcare providers, care homes, insurers and government departments. With extensive knowledge of coronial law and Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights she is frequently involved in arguments regarding the engagement of Article 2.
Kirsten accepts instructions both to prosecute and defend in prosecutions brought by the Health and Safety Executive or Environment Agency.
Kirsten was appointed to the Attorney General’s list of Civil Advocates in 2012 and has ten years of experience representing government departments at inquest. She is particularly well regarded for her handling of matters involving deaths in custody and is sought after in cases where the probation service have been involved in supervising either the deceased or the perpetrator of an unlawful killing. Kirsten is regularly involved in complex and sensitive Article 2 inquests both with and without a jury. She draws strength from her grounding in criminal law, which makes her a natural in front of a jury and from which she has developed a thorough understanding of how to take the best tactical approach to best assist both the inquest and her client.
Kirsten has also been appointed to the Specialist Regulatory Prosecution panel of advocates and prosecutes on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive. She brings that experience to her inquest practice where there is any suggestion of a breach of health and safety legislation. Kirsten is able to provide continuity of representation should any criminal or professional disciplinary proceedings arise out of the issues explored during an inquest.
Kirsten has a keen interest in representing families in cases where there has been a death following or as a result of domestic violence. She is relentless in her desire to ensure such deaths are properly investigated and all evidence is considered by the police and Coroner. She takes on such instructions direct access and often on a pro bono basis to represent families in this type of case. Kirsten has a developing relationship with AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse). Kirsten also acts for healthcare providers in prisons and more widely.
Seminars
Kirsten is available to present bespoke in-house seminars on inquest or health and safety matters. She regularly presents a seminar on the application of Article 2 in inquest proceedings.
Public Access
Kirsten may accept Public Access work, where she can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.
Career
Call 2006
Appointments:
2012
Government Legal Department panel B counsel
2019
List B of the Panel of Specialist Regulatory Advocates
2021
Assistant Coroner for Northumberland
Memberships
Education
2005
Newcastle University, LLB
2006
Nottingham Law School, BVC (Very Competent)
Content supplied by Park Square Barristers Ltd.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Clerks are attentive and respond swiftly to enquiries. Patrick Urbina and Madeline Gray have been extremely helpful.'
- 'Madeleine Gray and Patrick Urbina are both superb. They respond very quickly, are very approachable and always find available counsel, even at short notice.'
- 'Fantastic clerking service, always very responsive and no ask is too much.'
- 'Fabulous barristers who are all keen to also assist where they can on pro bono basis so families do not go unrepresented at inquests.'
- 'The chambers has a number of members experienced in coronial and inquest work. I would not hesitate to recommend them for other cases of this type.'
- 'The Inquests and Inquiries Team is strong at all levels and its members are sought out from all over the country.'
- 'Circuit leader for inquest work in the North East. Barristers with a wealth of experience make up a team that can address all areas of inquest, inquiry and regulatory work. Overseen by knowledgeable, helpful clerks.'
- 'The strongest set in the North for regulatory and inquest matters.'