Heidi was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in 1996 and practises in criminal law, now specialising in complex multi-defendant trials involving allegations of organised crime and homicide, often with an international dimension, at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Heidi began at the self-employed Bar in chambers and moved to the employed Bar in 1999, practising in criminal defence work, and then to the CPS in 2006, as an advocate.
Heidi became Queen’s (now King’s) Counsel in 2020 – becoming the first woman in the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to take silk and only the fourth person in CPS’s history to do so.
In 2024 Heidi was the chair of the Bar Council’s employed barristers’ committee representing barristers across the employed sector – including in the public sector, the Armed Forces, the commercial sector and law firms.
Heidi has a particular interest in barrister wellbeing and supporting the next generation at the Bar. She is Master of Wellbeing and an outreach volunteer at Inner Temple, where she is also a Governing Bencher. She is also an Inner and Keble advocacy trainer and visiting lecturer at the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA). Heidi was the first person in her family to go to university (LSE) and is now a pupil supervisor with a particular interest in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and social mobility.
Commenting on her election, Heidi Stonecliffe KC, said:
“I am immensely honoured and humbled to add to the list of Bar Council ‘firsts’. I am incredibly proud of the profession for embracing this continued desire for change and thank all of those who voted for me and trusted me in this endeavour.
“As someone who has straddled both the self-employed and employed Bar, worked alongside those from many areas of practice and driven initiatives for equality, diversity and inclusion, I look forward to bringing that experience to bear and forging a unified profession that stands together on the important issues of access to justice, the rule of law, legal aid and wellbeing.
“I have lived the ‘One Bar’ philosophy for my entire career and welcome the opportunity to bring the whole profession together, harnessing the immense talent and experience across all parts of it as a strong voice for respect and positive change.
“At a critical time in the Bar’s history, I will continue the vital work already ongoing to resist attacks on the right to trial by jury and the ability of all members of society to access justice where it is needed, particularly amongst the most vulnerable.
“I am committed to continuing the critically important work in respect of wellbeing and retention at the Bar. There is much to be done to eliminate bullying and harassment from within and directed towards the profession and more to do to encourage talented individuals across all disciplines and at all levels of Call to pursue a career at the Bar and to thrive whilst doing so. The key to this is respect for the justice system and those who serve it and I will do all I can to shine a spotlight on the vital work that every part of the profession contributes to society so that the public joins our collective voice in demanding a justice system fit for purpose and accessible to all.
“I have lived the challenges the profession faces for several decades and have consistently spoken out where challenge is needed. I will continue to do so and look forward to working with the Bar Council team, the Chair and my colleagues across the Bar to take these priorities forward.”
Heidi will join the officer team from 1 January 2026 alongside current Vice Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC (Doughty Street), who was elected unopposed as Chair of the Bar for 2026, and Lucinda Orr (Partner at Enyo Law), who was elected unopposed as Treasurer for a second term. They will make up the second all-female officer team at the Bar.