SILK PROFILE

Katy Thorne KC

UK Bar 2026

Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked in 1 practice area

Crime

London (Bar)

8 years ranked

About

Provided by Doughty Street Chambers

Practice Areas

Katy Thorne KC is a leading criminal defence and inquest barrister who is a popular choice in high profile or complex cases due to her unparalleled judgment, superb forensic skills and her excellent track record. Her areas of expertise include serious and complex criminal allegations, including homicide, terrorism and serious sexual offences and violence against children. She is also highly regarded in serious financial crime including confiscation. Katy is also expert on pre-charge advice and representations to avoid charge. Her inquest practise includes deaths in custody and deaths due to delays in medical treatment.

She has a long-standing specialism in expert evidence and is an editor of Mason’s Forensic Medicine and the Law as well as being appointed as a Commissioner for the Westminster Commission on Forensic Science. Her appointments include Assistant Coroner and Mental Health Tribunal Judge.

Career

King’s Counsel 2018, Called 1994.

Professional Memberships

Criminal Appeals Lawyers Association

Criminal Bar Association

Inquest

Justice

Publications

Mason's Forensic Medicine for Lawyers (6th Ed)

Mason's Forensic Medicine and the Law (7th Ed)

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Crime - London (Bar)

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Katy Thorne KC is a strong criminal barrister with a firmly established practice across serious and general crime. She has experience defending violence charges including homicide, as well as handling RASSO cases.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

She is smart and clever, and this particularly regards complex cases with scientific evidence. She translates forensic material well.
CrimeUK Bar
She is brilliant and made very succinct legal arguments. She truly did an exceptional job for client.
CrimeUK Bar
Thorne understands innately the needs of and pressures upon solicitors and makes life easy. She is always prepared and on top of paperwork. It is never a question of a client liking her.
CrimeUK Bar
Katy Thorne is phenomenal. She was unbelievably prepared, in a calm, measured and considered way.
CrimeUK Bar