Tristan Kirk joins PA Media as Courts Editor 

PA Media, the UK and Ireland’s national news agency, has announced the appointment of Tristan Kirk in the newly created position of Courts Editor, building on its reputation for trusted and comprehensive court coverage. 

Tristian has been a dedicated court reporter for more than a decade, winning the Paul Foot award and being named Journalist of the Year for his investigation into the impacts of the Single Justice Procedure. Tristan was instrumental in rule changes to the behind-closed-doors process, which allowed magistrates to hand out convictions for low-level crimes behind closed doors, while freed from the usual scrutiny that comes with open court proceedings. He has been The London Standard’s courts correspondent since 2016, with previous experience at court agency Central News. 

As well as covering major court cases himself, Tristan will support PA reporters across the UK and contribute to the news agency’s broader legal coverage. Tristan’s appointment strengthens PA’s commitment to covering the courts for publishers and broadcasters. 

Tristan Kirk says: 

“The Press Association plays such an instrumental role in the British media, and I am honoured to be joining as Courts Editor. I’m looking forward to working with the fantastic team at PA including many of the journalists who I’ve sat alongside on the press benches in court over the years. 

“The justice system and the work of the courts is high on the political agenda right now, so it’s vital that journalists are in courtrooms more than ever to fully inform the public. I’m looking forward to getting started on this exciting new challenge.” 

Jack Lefley, Press Association Editor-in-Chief, says: 

“Tristan is a brilliant specialist reporter who has won some of the industry’s biggest awards. He will join a team which includes our highly-respected Law Editor, Jess Glass, and dedicated court reporters across the UK and Ireland, as we make sure the Press Association is in more courtrooms than ever. Tristan’s appointment is a signal of PA’s commitment to growing our unrivalled coverage of the courts, which plays a vital role in ensuring open justice.”