Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Magherafelt
Established in 1929, John J McNally has built a reputation as one of Mid-Ulster's leading legal practices. Our firm specialises in delivering comprehensive legal solutions across property, personal injury, criminal defence, medical negligence, family law, and sports law. With a team of highly qualified solicitors and legal secretaries, we combine decades of experience with a client-focused approach to address complex legal matters. Our directors, Marysia Kelly and Stephen Atherton, lead a dedicated team that includes specialists in notary public services, employment law, and litigation.We pride ourselves on accessibility, offering 24-hour criminal law representation and competitive rates for will drafting. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated through our long-standing presence in Northern Ireland's legal landscape and our ability to adapt to evolving client needs while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
Services
Property Law
Personal Injury
Criminal Defence
Medical Negligence
Family Law
Sports Law
Litigation
Notary Public
Employment Law
Wills & Estate Planning
Details
- Year established: 1929
Highlights and features
- We offer over 90 years of combined legal expertise in Mid-Ulster
- Our team includes specialists in criminal law and 24-hour representation
- We provide competitive rates for will drafting and estate planning
- Our solicitors hold specialist qualifications in sports law and medical negligence
- We maintain continuous Law Society membership and professional standards
Services
Criminal Defence
Our criminal defence team provides 24-hour legal representation across Northern Ireland. We specialise in police station attendance, youth court proceedings, and high court appeals. Clients receive immediate assistance through our emergency call-out service, with legal aid available for eligible cases. Our solicitors protect prisoner rights and challenge media intrusions affecting client rehabilitation.
Medical Negligence
We investigate medical negligence claims involving misdiagnosis, birth injuries, and surgical errors. Our specialists engage expert witnesses to assess treatment standards and quantify compensation. With experience in fatal medical accidents and emergency department failures, we guide clients through complex litigation processes while maintaining strict confidentiality throughout.
Property Law
Our property department handles residential and commercial transactions across Northern Ireland. We assist first-time buyers and experienced investors with purchases, sales, and remortgaging. The team provides clear guidance on landlord-tenant relationships and commercial property management, ensuring smooth transactions for all parties involved in real estate matters.
Family Law
We handle all aspects of family law including divorce proceedings, child custody arrangements, and domestic violence cases. Our solicitors provide sensitive support during relationship breakdowns while protecting client interests. We specialise in creating tailored solutions for complex family dynamics and contested estate distributions.
Sports Law
Led by qualified sports law specialist Stephen Atherton, we represent athletes and clubs in contractual matters and career management. Our services include contract negotiations, player welfare support, and dispute resolution. With insider knowledge of football academies, we provide practical guidance for emerging professionals navigating sports careers.
People
Marysia Kelly
Director
Specialising in medical negligence for over 15 years, Marysia leads complex clinical claims involving birth injuries and surgical errors. She has represented clients in high-profile cases and maintains a network of expert medical witnesses to support litigation efforts.
Stephen Atherton
Director
Head of criminal law with 20 years' experience, Stephen provides 24-hour police station representation. He holds a Masters in Sports Law and combines legal expertise with practical football industry knowledge to advise professional athletes and clubs.
Alison O'Malley
Solicitor
Northern Ireland's only Notary Public in South Derry, Alison specialises in international legal documentation. She handles wills, powers of attorney, and document legalisation for clients requiring cross-border legal services.
Charlotte Johnston
Solicitor
Experienced property law specialist managing residential and commercial transactions. She assists clients with property disputes and provides clear guidance on real estate investments across Mid-Ulster.
Amie McKernan
Solicitor
Family law expert handling divorce proceedings and child custody matters. She provides compassionate support while maintaining professional representation in contested family court cases.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We specialise in property, personal injury, criminal defence, medical negligence, family law, sports law, and wills & estate planning.
Do you offer 24-hour legal services?
Yes, our criminal law department provides 24-hour emergency representation at police stations across Northern Ireland.
Are your services available outside Mid-Ulster?
While based in Mid-Ulster, we serve clients throughout Northern Ireland for most legal matters.
Do you handle international legal documentation?
Yes, our Notary Public services include document legalisation and international legal documentation processing.
What experience do you have in sports law?
Our director holds a Masters in Sports Law and provides specialist advice to athletes and football clubs across Ireland.
