Brimelow practises in criminal, international and public law, and is a former chair of the Criminal Bar Association (2022-23), where she led negotiations with the government for a 15% increase in fees for criminal barristers. She worked with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to secure a similar increase for prosecution counsel.
This experience is likely to stand her in good stead as she leads the charge against government proposals to restrict jury trials. She also intends to shine a spotlight on children in the justice system and advocate for greater investment across the criminal, family and civil justice systems—more details will be given in her inaugural address later this month.
She graduated from Birmingham University, and was called to the Bar in 1991, and appointed QC in 2011. In 2021, she was appointed a deputy High Court judge in the King’s Bench Division, and in 2022 she was appointed a Recorder. Between 2012 and 2018, she chaired the Bar Human Rights Committee.
Career highlights include leading the proposal and drafting of female genital mutilation (FGM) protection orders into law in the UK. Her international work includes mediating a historic apology from President Santos, former President of Colombia, to the peace community, which preceded the signing of the peace accord in Cartagena in 2016.
Brimelow advised Denmark on law reform, assisting in changing Danish sexual offences law to consent-based law. She also worked on the first United Nations resolution on harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks.
Brimelow said: ‘It is both an honour and a responsibility to serve my profession as Chair of the Bar.
‘I will bring my cross-jurisdictional expertise to overcome challenges and embrace opportunities for barristers and people delivering and accessing justice. I also will lead with courage and kindness.’
Brimelow will lead the Bar Council’s first all-female leadership team, with vice chair Heidi Stonecliffe KC, of the CPS, Lucinda Orr, of Enyo Law, as treasurer, and Amelia Clegg, of BCL Solicitors, as chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee.
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