Business Details
19 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Belfast Criminal Defence & Family Law Solicitors
Established in 2007 by brothers Niall and Shane O'Neill, our firm has grown to meet client needs across Northern Ireland while maintaining family values. We specialise in criminal defence, family law, and personal injury claims, offering free initial consultations and prioritising client confidentiality. Our team combines legal expertise with compassionate representation, serving all courts in the NI jurisdiction. With offices near Laganside Courts, we provide accessible parking and convenient appointments. Our solicitors hold extensive experience in both court proceedings and police station advice, including 24-hour arrest callouts.We maintain strong community ties through CSR initiatives and have secured millions in compensation for clients. Client testimonials highlight our professional approach, timely updates, and personal service ethos. Our practice partners bring decades of combined legal experience, supported by specialist heads in family law and personal injury. We operate under strict confidentiality protocols and maintain transparency in all client communications.
Services
Criminal Law
Family Law
Personal Injury Claims
Divorce/Separation
Medical Negligence
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- 24-hour criminal arrest callout service available
- Free initial consultation for up to 1 hour
- Specialist solicitors in criminal, family and personal injury law
- Legal aid available depending on circumstances
- Over 1 million secured in client compensation claims
Associations and certifications
- Legal Aid Agency
What people say
Exceptionally professional
Timely updates
Effective representation
Friendly staff
Highly recommend
Services
Criminal Law
Our criminal defence solicitors provide expert representation for arrests, police interviews, and court proceedings. We specialise in motoring offences, extradition cases, and serious criminal allegations. Clients receive immediate assistance through our 24-hour callout service, with free initial consultations available. Our team has extensive experience in Northern Ireland's legal system, including High Court advocacy.
Family Law
Specialist family law services cover child custody, divorce proceedings, and financial settlements. We handle complex cases involving social services interventions and protection from harassment. Our solicitors provide sensitive guidance through emotionally challenging situations. The team includes dedicated child law specialists with court experience at all levels.
Personal Injury Claims
We represent clients in road traffic accidents, workplace injuries, and medical negligence claims. Our services include historical abuse compensation and criminal injury claims. With over 400,000 secured in recent institutional abuse cases, we offer 'no win no fee' options and After The Event insurance. Free case evaluations assess claim viability.
Medical Negligence
Specialist solicitors handle medical negligence cases involving misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and substandard care. We pursue compensation for treatment failures and healthcare-related injuries. Our team works with medical experts to establish liability and quantify damages. Cases include both recent and historical incidents of clinical negligence.
Divorce/Separation
Comprehensive divorce and separation services include financial settlements, child custody arrangements, and prenuptial agreements. We manage contested divorces and amicable separations with equal focus on legal outcomes and client wellbeing. Solicitors provide clear guidance on NI family law procedures and court expectations.
People
Niall O'Neill
Practice Partner / Solicitor Advocate
Co-founder with extensive criminal law experience, specialising in court representation and police station advice. Qualified solicitor advocate with over 15 years' practice in Northern Ireland's legal system.
Shane O'Neill
Practice Partner / Solicitor Advocate
Co-founder and legal expert with focus on complex litigation matters. Provides strategic direction to the firm's growth while maintaining active client representation across multiple practice areas.
Sarah Herron
Head of Family Law
Specialist family law solicitor with expertise in child custody cases and domestic proceedings. Qualified in 2012, she represents clients in both private and public family law matters across Northern Ireland.
Leah Dougan
Head of Personal Injury
Personal injury specialist handling workplace accidents, medical negligence, and road traffic claims. Graduated from Queen's University Belfast, she focuses on securing compensation through negotiated settlements and court proceedings.
Nicola Hammond
Head of Accounts
Financial director managing the firm's accounting operations and client financial arrangements. Ensures transparent billing practices and manages legal aid funding applications.
Questions
Do you offer free legal consultations?
Yes, we provide free initial consultations for up to one hour to discuss your case and legal options.
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We focus on criminal defence, family law, and personal injury claims, with specialist solicitors in each area.
Can you handle urgent arrest cases?
Yes, we offer a 24-hour callout service for criminal arrests across Northern Ireland.
Do you accept legal aid cases?
Yes, we offer Legal Aid services where clients qualify, including police station representation and court cases.
What compensation cases do you handle?
We manage personal injury claims including RTAs, workplace accidents, medical negligence, and historical abuse cases.
Are your consultations confidential?
Yes, client confidentiality is our highest priority in all legal consultations and case discussions.