Barrister Profile

Main Areas of Practice

Administrative Law or Judicial Review
Criminal Law
Family Law
Human Rights

Biography

Connel Trainor was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2020 after practising as a Solicitor for 17 years including 10 years successfully establishing his own practice. During his career as a Solicitor, Connel has gained a wealth of experience having worked on some of the country’s most high profile and complex criminal cases including murder, fraud, terrorism and sexual offences.

In addition to Criminal Cases Connel has a particular interest in Family Law and has a high volume of experience in Children Order work public and private dealing with:

• Article 8 Contact and Residence Order Applications
• Article 50 Care Order Applications
• Article 53 Public Care Order Applications

Connel has dealt with some of the most vulnerable members of our society to include victims of domestic violence by way of Non Molestation/Occupation Order Applications, Freeing/Adoption, Re-location, Divorce and Ancillary Relief.

Qualifications

2001; LLB Law with Politics Queens University Belfast

2002; Certificate in Professional Legal Studies and admitted to Roll of Solicitors

2008; Certificate in Advanced Advocacy

2012; Admitted to Children’s Order Panel NI specialising in Children’s Order Work Public and Private

2020; Called to Bar of Northern Ireland

Experience

Notable criminal cases Connel has acted in include:

R v Jacqueline Crymble (2007) Crown Court- Murder

R v Christopher Notorantonio & Others (2008) Crown Court- Affray

R v Henryk Gorski Trial - (2009) Crown Court and (2012) Court of Appeal- Murder

R v John Crolly (2011) Court of Appeal- Involuntary Manslaughter

R v Stuart Downes (2013) Crown Court- Attempted Murder and Terrorism

R v Dominic Nartey & Others (2015) Crown Court- Sham Marriage

R v Shane Kinney & Others (2017) Crown Court- Death by Dangerous Driving