Grace McConnell


Call 2022


Grace McConnell became a member of Chambers in May 2024, following the successful completion of her third-six pupillage at Drystone Chambers.

Since joining chambers, Grace has built a busy practice both defending and prosecuting. Grace is most regularly instructed in the Crown Court, accepting instructions also in the Magistrates’ Court, Youth Court, and the Court Martial.

Grace is rapidly building a strong defence practice. Defending in her first jury trial, she saw a not guilty verdict returned within an hour after a three-day trial. Grace has also had success in the Court Martial, with her client acquitted of matters including assaulting a superior officer and where dismissal from service was at stake.

Grace prides herself on building genuine rapport with professional and lay clients alike. Having successfully qualified within the Crown Prosecution Service, Grace has an understanding of how cases are internally prepared, an insight which is invaluable to both her prosecution and defence work.

Within her defence work, Grace receives instructions in matters such as robbery, burglary, controlling and coercive behaviour, serious violence, including grievous bodily harm and strangulation.

Grace continues to build upon her prosecution practice and is now Level 2 on the CPS Advocate Panel. She regularly receives instructions within the Crown Court, including possession with intent to supply class A drugs and sexual assault. Grace has been instructed to prosecute domestic abuse cases solely reliant on res gestae evidence and provides detailed advice and written submissions in such cases.

Grace has recently been appointed as a ‘Barrister in Residence’ at the University of Portsmouth. This will see Grace volunteering to provide workshops, lectures and career support to students at the university with ambitions to become barristers.

Expertise

Notable Assault & Violence cases


R v RC [2024] Portsmouth Crown Court

Defending in trial of assault occasioning actual bodily harm where the defendant was alleged to have used a knife. Not guilty verdict.


R v WZ [2024] Southampton Crown Court

Defending in trial of robbery where the defendant changed their plea on the day of trial. The prosecution submitted the starting point was 5 years. My client received a sentence of to 2.5 years.


R v JC [2024] Portsmouth Crown Court

Defending in case of violent controlling coercive behaviour. Psychiatric reports obtained that confirmed that my client was fit, however allowed for submissions on reduced culpability. Suspended sentenced secured.


R v LD [2024] Highbury Corner Youth Court

Represented 13-year-old girl at sentence following conviction after a trial for attempt sectioned 18 grievous bodily harm.


R v MH and R v JH [2024] Southampton Crown Court

Prosecuting in two cases that were solely reliant on res gestae evidence. Written submissions advanced ahead of oral legal argument and Judge’s written ruling. Provided advice to Crown Prosecution Service on merits of appeal.


R v HW [2024] Southampton Crown Court

Defending female defendant accused of attempt section 18, driving dangerously and criminal damage. The Crown did not proceed with the attempt section 18 and a suspended sentence was then obtained.


R v DW [2024] Catterick Court Martial Centre

Defending a sergeant accused of assaulting a senior officer whilst deployed. Despite multiple witnesses to the event, self-defence was successfully argued, and my client was acquitted of all charges.

Notable Drugs Offences cases


R v JL [2024] Winchester Crown Court

Prosecuting in two cases of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Joinder application drafted and granted.


R v JE & RS [2024] Portsmouth Crown Court

Defending in a committal for sentence of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. The judge concluded that my client held a significant role, with a starting point of 4.5 years, however a suspended sentence order was obtained.


R v CC & Others [2023] Portsmouth Crown Court

Defending in a large 17-handed class A drugs conspiracy. Basis of plea submitted as my client’s involvement was just short of duress. Sentence still to be determined.


Notable General Criminal Offences cases


R v JD & Others [2024] Southampton Crown Court

Prosecuting a four handed multiple burglaries and aggravated vehicle taking.


R v KH [2024] Southampton Crown Court

Defending in breach of restraining order. Application to dismiss drafted regarding unclear terms of the original order. Case dismissed by the Judge.


R v SN [2024] Portsmouth Crown Court

Defending in a case of prolonged period of controlling coercive behaviour. Multiple requests for third party material were made. Due to disclosure failings by the Crown, nearing the trial date, the Crown accepted a plea to a single count of assault by beating instead.

Notable Sexual Offences cases


R v MS [2024] Newport (IOW) Crown Court

Prosecuting a case of sexual assault where the complainant was a teenager, with a further child witness.


R v OO [2024] Portsmouth Crown Court

Defending in a case of breach of notification requirements. Following an application to dismiss due to the Crown’s errors in interpreting the legislation, the Crown redrafted their indictment and acceptable pleas were entered to some of the counts.


R v GB [2024] Southampton Crown Court

Defending a male found to be unfit, accused of sexually assaulting a child in a shopping centre. The Crown offered no evidence given the service of the reports as opposed to proceeding to a trial of issue.

Associations and Memberships

  • The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
  • Criminal Bar Association
  • Western Circuit

  • University of Portsmouth: LLB Law, First Class Hons
  • University of Law Bristol: Bar Practice Course, Very Competent and LLM, Distinction

  • CPS Level 2 Advocate Panel
  • University of Portsmouth ‘Barrister in Residence’

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