Sally O’Neill QC
Year of Call: 1976
Specialist practice areas: Serious Crime, Serious Sexual Offences, Regulation/Compliance
Email: son@furnivallaw.co.uk
Sally O’Neill QC is ranked as a leading Silk in crime in Chambers & Partners (2008), and was the Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association from 2007 to 2008. Sally has been practising exclusively in Crime for the last 25 years, mostly at the Old Bailey, and took Silk in 1997.
Since taking Silk she has predominantly undertaken defence work, although she prosecuted recently in the “Baby P” case in 2008. She has considerable expertise in murder, manslaughter and serious sexual cases, especially child abuse and trials involving young defendants. Her extensive experience also includes the case of Whiting, which concerned the abduction and murder of Sarah Payne.
Partly as a result of many years of involvement with the CBA, which included the production of a video with the NSPCC and other agencies on special measures, Sally has a particular interest in cases involving young and vulnerable defendants and she has defended in many such trials. She also has a particular interest and expertise in cases involving scientific, medical and psychiatric issues.
Fraud is another area of particular interest: Sally has experience in all aspects of serious fraud and white collar crime. An impressive track record of success in drugs trials rounds off her broad general crime practice.
Sally is a Recorder of the Crown Court (since 1997) and a Bencher of Gray's Inn (since 2003). She speaks German and French.
Sally was The Times' Lawyer of the Week on May 13th 2009. Click here to read the article.