Aisling Byrnes

Barrister

Aisling is one of only a handful of barristers ranked in the top tier of both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK Bar Guide. She has 25 years’ experience of defending in criminal cases of the utmost seriousness and now practises almost exclusively in the private sector, advising and representing professional and high net worth individuals from the pre-charge stage up to appellate proceedings. She is regularly instructed by the country’s leading law firms.

Aisling is a true expert in the field of sexual allegations and other sensitive proceedings which have a real impact on the reputation of an individual both personally and professionally.

Aisling also has a flourishing practice in the field of sports regulatory proceedings and has been appointed as a Specialist Panel Member of the Football Association’s independent Judicial Panel, where she chairs disciplinary hearings at first instance and appeal. These hearings deal with matters of violence, racism, integrity, doping and many other aspects both on and off the field of play. As Chair, Aisling is responsible for producing detailed written reasons for all decisions. Written reasons can be found on the FA website, here. She is also a member of the FA’s independent Safeguarding Panel, chairing safeguarding proceedings at all levels of the game. Aisling was recently appointed by the International Tennis Federation to chair proceedings involving alleged misconduct on the part of several youth internationals during the Junior Davis Cup.

She also has experience in the field of professional disciplinary proceedings, having represented police officers, veterinary surgeons and other professionals. She has conducted numerous cases before University tribunals, particularly in the context of allegations of sexual misconduct.

Aisling has a well-deserved reputation for commitment, extraordinary preparation, tactical nous and a robust sense of realism. She is accessible to her clients from the point of instruction and leaves absolutely nothing to chance. In court or before a tribunal, she is a compelling advocate who commands respect from her opponents and judges alike.

Professional Memberships

Northern Ireland Bar
Criminal Bar Association
Bar Council Access to the Bar Committee Member
Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
Bar Pro Bono Unit
South Eastern Circuit
Women in Criminal Law
British Association for Sport and Law (BASL)

Recent Testimonials

"She is a standout advocate and one of the strongest senior barristers at the bar." Chambers UK 2025, Crime
"She is a really impressive, experienced and effective practitioner." Chambers UK 2025, Crime
"She provides clear vision for a case and provides representation at the highest standard." Chambers UK 2025, Crime
"Aisling is a highly skilled barrister with excellent client care skills." Chambers UK 2025, Crime
"Aisling is a fierce advocate who will robustly argue her client's case. She is very thorough and a great tactician and dedicates herself to all of her clients and cases. She is especially good with vulnerable clients. Aisling is a junior at the top of her game." Legal 500 2025, Crime
Recognised in Doyles Leading Criminal Law Counsel - London 2024 list.
"Aisling is a stand-out junior at the Criminal Bar." Chambers UK 2024, Crime
"Very clever, she's subtle and thoughtful. She cuts through it all and delivers submissions in a beautiful way." Chambers UK 2024, Crime
"Absolutely brilliant in every way, Aisling is an outstanding advocate with very good client care, who's really bright and really persuasive." Chambers UK 2024, Crime
"Her cross-examination is flawless." Chambers UK 2024, Crime
"Aisling Byrnes is an excellent junior who attracts praise from observers for her handling of factually sensitive and emotive cases, and is noted for her sympathetic dealings with vulnerable clients. She focuses her practice on all areas of serious crime and has particular expertise in sexual offences and domestic violence cases." Chambers UK 2024, Crime
"She is an outstanding advocate who completely masters the facts of a case and has the law at her fingertips. She is a formidable presence in court and a highly skilled cross-examiner who presents her legal submissions in a succinct and persuasive way. She is better than most silks." Legal 500 2024, Crime
"Aisling Byrnes is an excellent junior who attracts praise from observers for her handling of factually sensitive and emotive cases, and is noted for her sympathetic dealings with vulnerable clients. She focuses her practice on all areas of serious crime and has particular expertise in sexual offences and domestic violence cases." Chambers UK 2023 , Crime
"A brilliant barrister who is able to command a room and gain the trust of all of her clients from the moment they meet her." Chambers UK 2023 , Crime
Shortlisted for Legal 500 Crime Junior of the Year (2022)
"She is quite simply one of the best at the Bar. She is meticulous in her preparation, she has a wealth of experience and gives considered, practical and robust advice." Legal 500 2023, Crime
"She is completely unafraid in court and immediately commands respect.” Chambers UK 2022
"Aisling’s star quality was obvious from the start. She is very clever, an excellent lawyer, a commanding cross examiner and a powerful and persuasive advocate. Her success as an advocate is not just because of her natural brilliance or her legal learning, but because she works extraordinarily hard on her cases and takes no prisoners when dealing with opponents and judges. She is not just exceptionally good with difficult cases and clients, she is exceptionally good at every aspect of the job." Legal 500 2022, Crime
"Thorough, meticulous and very tactical." Chambers UK 2020
"Aisling is in a league of her own when it comes to her extraordinary efficiency, attention to detail, and determination. Her advocacy commands the attention of everyone in the courtroom. She is very authoritative, yet able to cross-examine witnesses in a manner which juries find attractive." Chambers UK 2020
"The best of a new breed of advocates in sexual offence cases – she's as hard as nails and determined, but calm and assured with clients." Chambers UK 2020
"When she walks into court, you know she means business" Legal 500 2020
“One of the best advocates at the Bar: intelligent, tactical, tenacious and realistic.” Legal 500 2019
"She impresses with her extraordinary efficiency, attention to detail and determination. Her advocacy commands the attention of everyone in the courtroom." Legal 500 2019
"Very bright and a really tough fighter." Chambers UK 2019
"An accessible barrister who instils immediate confidence in her clients with her robust advocacy and her commitment to fighting their corner". Chambers UK 2018
"An excellent lawyer with superb client care skills – her reputation is well deserved”. Legal 500 2017
"She was very good with a client in horrendous emotional circumstances." Legal 500 2017
"She gives very robust, direct advice and her advocacy style is very good." Chambers UK 2017
“Very sensitive, very passionate, very understanding but also tough when she needs to be”.Chambers UK 2016
"Her preparation and attention to detail is second to none". Legal 500 2016
“Tenacious and hardworking." Legal 500 2016
"Very sensitive, very passionate, very understanding but also tough when she needs to be. She gives very robust, direct advice and her advocacy style is very good" Chambers UK 2015
"Tenacious and highly skilled cross-examiner." Legal 500 2015
"Knows what needs to be done and is at all times alive to the tactical issues that arise in serious crime matters." Legal 500 2014
Admired for her "no-nonsense attitude" when defending clients in serious criminal proceedings." Chambers UK 2014
“Offers excellent advice and reassures client just by her mere presence". Chambers UK 2013
“An exceptionally good and very hard working advocate” who is “tenacious and very passionate.” Legal 500 2013
Shortlisted for the 2012 Chambers & Partners Crime Junior of the Year. Chambers UK 2012
"Focused with strong attention to detail." Legal 500

Disciplinary Proceedings

Re AA – Ongoing University disciplinary proceedings. Representing medical student in relation to his appeal against a finding of sexual misconduct. Public law issues relating to Article 6 rights and procedural fairness arise.
Re EP –University disciplinary proceedings. Student accused of repeated sexual assaults and rape before disciplinary panel.
Re T – representing professional snowboarder in proceedings brought by Great Britain Snowsport before a specialist Sport Resolutions Panel.
Re CO – representing a police officer accused of gross misconduct in disciplinary proceedings brought pursuant to the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020.
Re TC – University disciplinary proceedings. Representing student who had received a criminal conviction before disciplinary panel.
Re W – advising youth player in relation to England Cricket proceedings
Re: RS – advising eminent veterinary surgeon in proceedings brought by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Sensitive Cases

R v N - 25 year old US national charged with stalking and malicious communications as she sent thousands of fake emails to her former partner and business associate, including a false claim that she had terminated a pregnancy. The defendant was arrested with the assistance of the FBI in remote Scotland where she had faked her own violent abduction.
R v WC - Marketing executive for a world famous British fashion house charged with abducting her own daughter by taking her from the jurisdiction without the consent of the child’s father.
Rv JF - Renowned company director charged with possession of indecent images of children. Suspended sentence secured following detailed preparation of mitigation.
R v AS – renowned NHS consultant acquitted of assaulting his wife
R v M – senior barrister acquitted in proceedings brought by the Insolvency Service

Sexual Offences

R v D - Represented the chaplain of a famous public school charged with the systematic grooming and abuse of pupils in his care over a ten year period.
R v C - Korean student charged with raping a young woman who was incapacitated through alcohol. Case dropped following serious disclosure issues.
R v DV - Son of Argentinian diplomat accused of repeatedly raping his former girlfriend while both studying in the UK. Case dropped as a result of persistent defence enquiries and disclosure.
R v PH - Successful professional 40-something accused of sexually assaulting the wife of a good friend while she and her husband were in bed after a night out with the defendant and his wife.
R v JH - 18 year old son of successful UK entrepreneur charged with rape by complainant who gave an extremely detailed account of the attack, about which she complained almost immediately. Defendant acquitted following relentless defence preparation which uncovered material which was successfully deployed during detailed cross examination.
R v CS - Successful defence of a young man with Asperger’s Syndrome charged with the rape and sexual assault of a vulnerable young woman who, by trial, had begun the transition to male.
R v ML - Successful defence of young music professional charged with multiple counts of extremely violent rape against his girlfriend, who had sustained many injuries and claimed to have been deeply traumatised.
R v JYA - City financier charged with raping a young woman following a party at his flat. Complainant left barefoot and immediately complained to family and police. Defendant acquitted following successful cross examination and sympathetic presentation of defence case.
R v NH - Professional musician and part time music teacher charged with historic abuse of former pupil. Case dropped following persistent disclosure applications. Successful application for wasted costs made against the CPS.
R v SP - Successful defence of senior executive in global telecoms company charged with sexual assault of a female journalist on the Underground.
R v R - 32 year old lawyer accused of sexual assault of female friend during a night out. Acquitted when defence called expert evidence suggesting that the injuries complained of were too old to have been caused by the defendant.
R v EB - Successful defence of successful London businessman accused of raping his cleaner at the family home.
R v W - Historical sexual abuse of niece by a man with severe learning difficulties.
R v X - City solicitor charged with downloading indecent pictures of children.
R v O - Church of England vicar charged with possessing indecent images of children.
R v DH - Defendant charged with a running a regional network of brothels.
R v C – former boarding master accused of grooming and sexually assaulting pupils in the 1990s
R v H – woman acquitted of allegedly sexually assaulting her younger siblings in the 1970s
R v ZR – 15 year old defendant charged with the rape and sexual assault of an 11 year old girl.

Homicide

R v D – defendant accused of stabbing a well known youth worker outside a party. Case involved extraordinary analysis of CCTV. Prosecution accepted plea to manslaughter after case began
R v GB – defendant accused of joint enterprise murder. Victim run over with a stolen vehicle. Case involved the complex legal issue of “overwhelming supervening act”.
R v JM – defendant accused of killing a sex worker by running her over in his vehicle following services for which he allegedly refused to pay.
R v TH - Seemingly motiveless stabbing of a young man and his father by two attackers on a moped. The defendant and his co-accused admitted presence but blamed each other. Case turned on complex DNA evidence found at the scene.
R v DR - Representing a mother charged with the manslaughter of her 12 month old baby after leaving the baby unsupervised in the bath.
R v J and others - Four month trial of nine defendants accused of stabbing a 17 year old in East London.
R v D - Defendant charged with causing the death of his ten month old son by dangerous driving when the family car was involved in a collision with a taxi.
R v D R - Murder by stabbing; extensive cell site evidence was deployed to identify the killer.
R v A R - Punishment beating; evidence of six facial mapping experts (article on facial mapping evidence published at [2005] 6 Archbold News 4).
R v L - ‘Honour’ killing.
R v R - High-profile manslaughter following fight over chocolate bar wrapper; 16-year old defendant.

Serious Violence

R v GN - 18 year old defendant and two younger brothers charged with causing GBH with intent having slashed a man across the face and ripped off his dreadlocks following an argument about a parking space at Tesco.
R v MS - Defendant accused of assaulting his 4 month old baby leaving her irreparably brain damaged.
R v TP - Multi-handed kidnapping in heart of the Lithuanian community in Norwich. Defendant acquitted following serious disclosure failures uncovered by the defence.
R v H - Trafficking and exploitation of prostitutes from Romania to UK
R v X - Conspiracy to steal £3m Cartier jewellery; accomplice turned ‘supergrass’ giving evidence under a SOCPA contract; leading junior counsel
R v S - Kidnap and torture of two victims; four-month trial as leading junior counsel for the first of seven defendants; hearsay application to adduce evidence of one of the victims who committed suicide prior to trial.
R v D - Kidnap and assault; defence involved the assertion that the victim was party to the enterprise.
R v A - Armed robbery of a cash-in-transit vehicle during which defendant suffered serious head injuries.
R v N - Gunpoint robbery of betting shop; involving extensive argument as to admissibility of search evidence.
R v A - Large-scale conspiracy to rob small businesses at gun point. Twenty five substantive armed robberies; issue of whether bad character supports identification evidence.
R v Z - Robbery of Bureau de Change; defence of ‘plant’ by Flying Squad. Conviction quashed as tainted by Rigg Approach corruption.

Drugs

R v B - Multi handed conspiracy to supply cocaine worth in excess of £100 million. Defendant’s case was that he supplied amphetamines, not cocaine. Prosecution attributed over 25 mobile phones to the defendant during indictment period, half of which he disputed, necessitating extraordinarily detailed analysis of a huge amount of telephone material.
R v MM - Multi-handed conspiracy to rob drug traffickers of £5 million worth of drugs using firearms. Cut throat defence.
R v SR - Large-scale conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Defendant charged with his parents against background of illegal trade in pharmaceuticals.
R v PF - Defendant accused of highly organised drug trafficking between Essex and Devon. Case involved detailed financial evidence.
R v J - Conspiracy to import and supply cocaine. Leading junior counsel at trial involving evidence of over £10m worth of drugs.
R v S & Ors (Operation Hobart) - Importation of cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis; cited in the House of Commons in 2005 as one of the largest ever UK drugs operations.
R-v-R & Ors - Conspiracy to import multi-million pounds worth of cocaine via FedEx; leading junior counsel.
R v P - Conspiracy to supply cocaine; leading junior counsel.
R v C - Money laundering proceeds of drugs importation.
R v B - Money laundering proceeds of drugs trafficking linked to London City Bond series of cases; disclosure arguments led to discontinuance of case.

Protest

R v H - Student with Asperger’s Syndrome charged with public order offences, following the student demonstrations of December 2009. He was unanimously acquitted.
R v N & Ors - Conspiracy to blackmail suppliers of the Huntingdon Life Science Laboratory by animal rights activists accused of membership of the ALF.
R v G & Ors - Public nuisance allegation arising from environmental protest on M1 Indictment quashed following legal argument as to the nature of the charge.
R v C - 17 year old schoolgirl prosecuted following her attendance at anti- bush demo in Parliament Square.
R v W - Nuisance and aggravated trespass allegation as a result of climate change protest on roof of petrol station in South London.
R v B (ongoing) - Alleged Violent disorder involving defendants said to be members of anti-fascist organisation Antifa.

Public and Administrative / Human Rights Law

R (H) v Woolwich Crown Court - Judicial review of court’s decision to extend custody time limits where late prosecution disclosure delayed trial.
R (SL) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis LTL 29/7/2008 - Judicial review re relevance of partner’s criminal convictions to suitability for teaching post.
R (J) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis - Judicial review of decision to issue two cautions to claimant of good character.
RE: MF - Judicial review of West Midlands police information storage protocol