The legal world is mourning the loss of Sarah Burton, a distinguished human rights barrister whose dedication to justice for victims of public disasters defined her career. She died on 17 December 2025 at the age of 56.
A Career Dedicated to Challenging Authority
Sarah Burton carved a formidable reputation as a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, specialising in public law, inquests, and inquiries. Her legal practice was characterised by a profound commitment to holding powerful institutions to account, particularly on behalf of bereaved families and survivors.
She played a pivotal role in some of the most significant legal proceedings of recent decades. Burton served as junior counsel to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, a crucial body that uncovered the truth about the 1989 football stadium disaster. Her meticulous work there laid the groundwork for the subsequent fresh inquests, where she represented numerous bereaved families.
Her expertise and compassion were again called upon following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. She was appointed as a counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, tasked with examining the causes and consequences of the tragedy. In this role, she was instrumental in questioning witnesses and scrutinising evidence, always ensuring the voices of the survivors and the bereaved were central to the process.
From Northern Roots to Legal Luminary
Born in 1969 and raised in County Durham, Sarah Burton's path to the bar was not conventional. She left school at 16, working in a factory before her intellectual curiosity led her to pursue an education. She earned a degree from the University of York and later a distinction in her MA from the University of Sussex.
Her passion for justice was ignited early. Before becoming a barrister, she worked for the charity Justice and as a researcher for the eminent human rights lawyer Geoffrey Bindman. She was called to the bar in 2001, quickly establishing herself as a tenacious and brilliant advocate.
Colleagues and clients remember her not just for her sharp legal mind, but for her unwavering empathy. She was described as "fearless" and "compassionate," a lawyer who fought tirelessly for those who had been failed by the system. Her approach was both intellectually rigorous and deeply human.
A Legacy of Truth and Accountability
Sarah Burton's work extended beyond these high-profile cases. She represented families at inquests into deaths in police and prison custody, and advocated in cases concerning civil liberties and protest rights. Her career embodied the principle that the law must serve as a tool for the vulnerable against the powerful.
Her passing leaves a significant void in the field of public interest law. Tributes have highlighted her unique combination of fierce intelligence, strategic brilliance, and genuine kindness. She navigated complex and emotionally charged legal landscapes with a steady determination to uncover the truth.
Sarah Burton's legacy is etched into the outcomes of the battles she fought. Her contributions were fundamental in delivering long-overdue accountability for the Hillsborough families and in the ongoing pursuit of justice for the Grenfell community. She is survived by her husband, the writer James McMahon, and their two children. The legal community and all those she championed have lost a true defender of human rights.
