John O’Kelly

John O’Kelly represents clients across Northern Ireland in some of the most serious and complex criminal cases including allegations of murder, serious assaults, sexual offences, fraud and high-value drug cases. He regularly advises clients at all stages of the criminal justice system, from police station interviews to appearances before the Crown Court and Court of Appeal.

John completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Studies at Queen’s University Belfast in 2013. During this time, he also gained valuable experience working with a major Belfast law firm.

After qualifying as a Solicitor, John worked with a specialised firm in County Antrim, practising in criminal law, judicial review, prison law, human rights and High Court litigation. He joined HHD Solicitors in 2015 and became a Partner in January 2024.

With a strong background in human rights law, John has also represented individuals and families seeking justice for loved ones who have suffered through state wrongdoing, abuse within institutions or violence during the Troubles. His approach is built on compassion, determination and a firm focus on achieving justice.

Client care is at the heart of John’s work. He prides himself on providing clear, honest advice and ensuring his clients feel supported throughout every step of their case. His dedication to client service was recognised early in his career when he presented the Law Society of Northern Ireland at the International Client Consultation Competition, reaching the finals against lawyers from around the world.

John is widely recognised for his expertise, his commitment to his clients and his calm, approachable manner – qualities that have earned him the trust and respect of both clients and colleagues across Northern Ireland.

Notable cases:

• R v O’K – represented a client in Northern Ireland’s largest fraud case involving complex financial analysis and thousands of pages of documentation.
• R v SD – successfully defended a senior mortgage broker accused of offences emanating from the 2008 financial crash which crossed the jurisdiction of Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Turkey. All charges were defeated and the client’s innocence and clear record maintained.
• R v CD – successfully defended a client accused of sharing Category A indecent images with a decoy police officer. The Defendant received a probation order and avoided the imposition of a sexual offences prevention order.
• R v B – defended a client accused of causing the death of his partner by dangerous driving, requiring detailed expert evidence on scientific and technical issues.
• Re C – acted for a young man challenging a Public Prosecution Service decision through Judicial Review, highlighting victims’ rights.
• Re MC & Others – represented a family seeking justice for their mother’s death during the Troubles, challenging the PSNI’s failure to disclose information.
• Re Cr – successfully quashed a prison adjudication for a prison life sentence, leading to the client’s release on parole.
• R v SS – secured a full acquittal for a young man accused of rape and sexual assault using detailed analysis of phone and social media evidence.
• R v JMR – defending a client accused of historic sex offences; all charges were dismissed following strong legal arguments and expert cross-examination.
• R v JM – represented a young man involved in a riot; persuasive medical evidence helped secure a probation sentence instead of imprisonment.
• R v JJ – defended a University student accused of sharing indecent images online.  The Defendant received a probation order and avoided registration on the sex offenders register or a sexual offences prevention order.

Beyond his casework, John is active in the legal community. He has served as a Treasurer and Vice-Chair of the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors Association. Following periods as Treasurer and Secretary, John is the current Chair of the Belfast Solicitors Association having been elected to that role by his peers (read more here).

John is also the BSA representative on the Law Society’s Local Association Forum, Duty Solicitor Accreditation Committee and a panel member of the Department of Justice’s Registered Intermediary Core User Group.