Brian O'Neill KC
UK Bar Guide 2025
Band 1 : Crime
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
020 7353 5324Share profile
Band 1
About
Provided by Brian O'Neill KC
Practice Areas
Now in his fifteenth year in Silk, Brian specialises in private prosecutions, business crime, serious crime, regulatory crime and sports law. His expert skills can be applied to any complex situation whether defending or prosecuting across various jurisdictions.
Private Prosecutions: Brian heads Chambers’ Private Prosecutions Group. Brian’s expertise in criminal law and his very considerable experience in serious and complex criminal cases have led to a number of instructions in this area in which he both prosecutes and defends.
Business Crime and Financial Services: Brian has appeared in two of the most newsworthy fraud cases to have been tried in this country: the HBoS corruption scandal – R v Mills & others; and the football bribery case – R v Pagliara & others. He is regularly instructed by both leading defence solicitors and prosecution agencies and is on the SFO’s KC Panel.
Crime: Brian is instructed in criminal cases of the utmost gravity and seriousness by leading defence solicitors and specialist units within the CPS. His vast experience has earned him the respect of those who instruct him, his peers and the judiciary. He is regularly instructed in high profile murder cases.
Regulatory Crime: Brian has advised a number of train operating companies in respect of their practices and procedures around alleged fare evasion.
Sports Law: Brian is regularly instructed by The Football Association, for whom he acted in the Ivan Toney case.
Career
King's Counsel 2010
Called 1987
Professional Memberships
2020: Appointed to SFO KC Panel
South Eastern Circuit
CBA
PPA
FLA
Chambers Review
UK Bar
Brian O'Neill KC is a strong silk who handles both prosecution and defence work. His practice spans a broad range of criminal matters, and he has undoubted expertise in serious and complex cases. O'Neill has further significant experience in related areas such as business crime and professional discipline.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Brian is supremely hardworking and an absolute details man."
"Brian is engaging and good humoured; he is very experienced and has a real presence in court."
"Brian is supremely hardworking and an absolute details man."
"Brian is engaging and good humoured; he is very experienced and has a real presence in court."