Barrister Profile

Main Areas of Practice

Administrative Law or Judicial Review
Criminal Law
Human Rights
Personal Injury

Biography

Stephen Toal KC is a senior barrister with a practice primarily dedicated to representing victims of terrorism, paramilitary violence, and state wrongdoing. He is widely recognised for his expertise in legacy litigation, public law, and complex criminal trials. Called to the Bars of NI and Ireland, he practises regularly in both jurisdictions.

Victims & Legacy Litigation

Stephen is known for his work in some of the most high-profile and sensitive legacy cases arising from the Troubles. He is lead counsel in the Omagh Bombing Public Inquiry, representing bereaved families and survivors.

He acts in numerous High Court civil actions on behalf of victims of paramilitary attacks and those alleging wrongdoing by state actors, including cases arising from:

• The Dublin and Monaghan bombings
• The Glenanne Gang series of killings
• The Sean Graham Bookmakers massacre
• The McGurk’s Bar, Loughinisland, and Ballymurphy mass killings
• The IRA mortar attack that killed Constable Colleen McMurray

He has also appeared in Troubles-related inquests, including:

• Sean Brown, the murdered GAA official
• Kieran Doherty, shot by the Real IRA in Derry

Judicial Review & Public Law

Stephen has maintained a prominent judicial review practice throughout his career, including before taking silk. He has acted in many significant public law cases over the past decade.

His judicial review work spans:

• Special educational provision for children with disabilities
• Public procurement challenges and commercial regulation
• Civil service vetting and screening processes
• The application of the Extradition Act and Terrorism Act
• Decisions affecting vulnerable or high-risk prisoners
• Challenges to PPS decisions not to prosecute, brought on behalf of victims
• Successfully represented the high profile journalist Trevor Birney. The quashing of the search warrants in the case was a significant victory for press freedom. Stephen also represented Mr Birney when he won another case against the State at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal in London.

He is a founding member of the Public Law Bar Association, actively mentoring junior counsel and contributing to CPD and professional development within the field.

Criminal Defence, Fraud & Jury Advocacy

Stephen has acted in many serious and high-profile criminal trials. His instructions include:

• A £175,000 fraud trial (May 2025) resulting in a full jury acquittal
• Lead counsel in an upcoming multimillion-pound NAMA-related fraud trial
• Representation of Paddy Jackson, the Irish rugby international, which resulted in full acquittal
• Defence of Sinead Clarke [2023] NICC 2, a high-profile case resulting in acquittal

He has also secured jury acquittals in a wide range of complex Crown Court trials, including:

• R v DC – two separate trials for the same defendant, both resulting in acquittal
• R v Christie – a businesswoman accused of affray — acquitted
• R v Noonan – serious assault — acquitted
• R v McAllister – multi-witness case involving sensitive issues — acquitted
• R v Irwin – contested incident with conflicting accounts — acquitted
• R v Hamilton – complicated trial with extensive evidence — acquitted
• R v Patterson – alleged to have committed environmental offences — acquitted

Appeals & Miscarriages of Justice

Stephen regularly appears in the Court of Appeal and the Irish Court of Appeal. He is often instructed in appeals where he did not appear in the court below. He is frequently instructed in historic conviction appeals, fresh evidence applications, and legal guideline cases. His appellate experience includes:

• Multiple murder conviction appeals in both jurisdictions
• Appeals involving entrapment, disputed confessions, and sentencing guidelines
• Challenges to convictions dating back over 30 years

Professional Values

Stephen is committed to the Cab Rank Rule, and represents clients regardless of background, belief, or controversy.