Kirsten Mercer

Practice Areas

Kirsten has a broad inquest practice, representing a wide array of interested persons in inquests including bereaved families, healthcare providers, insurers and government departments. She is particularly well regarded for handling 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 Article2 inquests on behalf of both bereaved families, individuals or the state.

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 is on both the government legal department list of advocates and the regulatory prosecution panel, which experience she brings to her inquest practice.

Kirsten has a keen interest in supporting families in cases where there has been a death following 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.

Kirsten is diligent and approachable with an excellent understanding of the difficulties that witnesses face giving evidence about their involvement in cases before the Coroner’s Court. Not afraid to robustly question where needed but sensitive to the unique vulnerabilities of those said in whatever way to have been involved in the death of another.