Grace McConnell

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.