Kirstyn Burke

Kirstyn is a public law specialist qualified in Scotland and in England & Wales. She provides advice to public bodies, professional organisations, and universities across a variety of topics such as equalities, human rights, governance, statutory interpretation, and regulatory issues.

Kirstyn also assists commercial and third-sector clients with their interactions and litigation involving public bodies. Her significant experience in representing clients in high-profile public inquiries has earned her recognition by Chambers UK as an Associate to Watch in public inquiries.

She is adept at handling litigation, including equalities claims, judicial reviews, and statutory appeals. Additionally, Kirstyn conducts internal investigations into sensitive allegations for her clients.

Currently, Kirstyn represents a core participant in the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry. She has also challenged the UK Government's decision on a North Sea oil and gas development in judicial review proceedings.

Kirstyn has advised universities on various equalities and human rights issues, such as compliance with the duty to make reasonable adjustments, the right to free speech and academic freedom, and the provision of single-sex spaces. She has also guided a non-departmental public body on its governance structure, ensuring independence between its different statutory functions.

Furthermore, Kirstyn has served as an independent investigator into serious conduct complaints, including allegations of physical and sexual assault and coercive control.

Jurisdictions: Scotland and England & Wales

• Kirstyn is currently representing a core participant in the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry.
• Kirstyn acted for a client in judicial review proceedings which challenged the UK Government’s decision to grant consent for an oil and gas development in the North Sea
• Kirstyn advised a university in relation to a range of equalities and human rights matters including compliance with the duty to make reasonable adjustments; the right to free speech and academic freedom; and the provision of single-sex spaces.
• Kirstyn advised a non-departmental public body on its governance structure including measures that could be implemented to ensure independence between its different statutory functions.
• Kirstyn acted as a independent investigator into conduct complaints involving allegations of physical and sexual assault and coercive control.