Catherine Farrelly KC is a sought after and highly regarded criminal advocate with extensive expertise in leading serious and complex litigation. Catherine's practice encompasses all forms of homicide and serious and organised criminal offending. Catherine is frequently instructed in the most complex and sensitive cases of sexual offending, having over recent years been instructed in cases involving some of the UK's most prolific offenders
Catherine is an accredited advocacy facilitator (trainer) of other advocates in relation to young and vulnerable witnesses and has received a commendation from the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in recognition of the way in which she dealt with a very young complainant in a case involving very serious sexual allegations.
Catherine is also a first choice for cases with a true international dimension. She has a wide experience of assisting in drafting ILORs; arguing the admissibility of foreign evidence and mutual legal assistance more generally. She is to receive a commendation from the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and Europol in recognition of her role as leading counsel in the prosecution of 14 defendants in the “Feltham Book Heist” case.
Catherine is praised for her tenacious commitment to her cases and her meticulous attention to detail. Her sensitivity and emotional intelligence make her ideal for cases involving vulnerable witnesses and defendants, earning their confidence in the criminal process and maximising the quality of their evidence.
Catherine is always willing to discuss a case before instructions are sent. To do this, please contact the clerks room.
Catherine's Privacy Policy can be downloaded here.
Other Languages:
Italian
News
Student Rapist Jailed for 24 Years
19 June 2025
A Chinese PhD student named by police as "one of the most prolific...
Read More
Drug-Rape Student Convicted
6 March 2025
After a 6-week trial at Inner London Crown Court, and what has been described as...
Read More
Teenager Jailed for Attacking Trans Woman
20 September 2024
A 19 year old man was sentenced to an extended sentence of 10 years, 4 months in...
Read More
Convictions for Killing of 18 Year Old Who Was Shot & Stabbed
19 June 2024
Following a 10-week trial at the Central Criminal Court which concluded in May,...
Read More
Former Met Police Officer Convicted of Multiple Rapes
3 May 2024
Following a three-week trial at Croydon Crown Court in February, a former Met...
Read More
Catherine Farrelly successfully prosecuted a man who ran up nearly £90,000 in accommodation and travel costs, after pretending to be a victim of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
He was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment.
Catherine Farrelly prosecuted this matter in which the defendant grabbed a 13-year-old schoolgirl off the street and filmed himself raping her. He was jailed for 11 years.
Catherine Farrelly prosecuted this Uber driver whom was sentenced to 12 years for rapes and sexual assaults. Hussain lay in wait outside popular London bars looking for drunken women to rape, preying on women leaving pubs in Shoreditch, in the east of the capital before attacking them as they slept.
Catherine Farrelly prosecuted this "persistent and manipulative” paedophile who carried out a series of sexual assaults on 6 of his own family members. He was sentenced to 18 years.
Catherine Farrelly was instructed for the Prosecution of this defendant for false imprisonment and three counts of rape involving a daytime attack on a 16 year old girl.
Catherine Farrelly was prosecution Counsel in this trial of two defendants for the pre-meditated revenge stabbing of another in connection with a drug-deal gone awry. The case involved the analysis of a significant amount of telephone evidence in addition to expert cell site and voice recognition evidence.
Catherine Farrelly was instructed for the Prosecution of a defendant who had raped his daughter from the ages of 13 to 15 years, using sex toys and other implements during the course of the abuse. The case involved very sensitive handling of the complainant. The defendant was subsequently sentenced to 20 years’imprisonment.
Catherine Farrelly led Paul Jackson in the prosecution of a defendant who, over the course of a number of years, had sexually abused five very young children who suffered from various learning disabilities. The case involved the review of a significant amount of social services and educational material and close liaison with the appointed intermediary. The defendant was sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment with an extended licence of 6 years.
Catherine Farrelly was instructed for Prosecution in this cases involving four defendants in relation to the supply of 1 kilogram of cocaine with an estimated street value of £100,000.
Catherine Farrelly was instructed in this Prosecution of a defendant who was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition. He had been stopped by police shortly after climbing over garden fences in east London and then disposing of a loaded firearm, fitted with a “silencer”. The case involved protracted legal argument over the admissibility of DNA and GSR expert evidence, all of which was ruled admissible.
Catherine Farrelly led Valeria Swift instructed by the prosecution, in this 6 handed conspiracy to commit GBH, which included a premeditated attack on another youth, his stab wounds close to his heart which were very nearly life ending. This case required expert analysis of telephone evidence which equated to over 20,000 pages. Defendants convicted of conspiracy.
Catherine Farrelly led Ben Holt for the Crown. Defendants were charged with arranging co-defendants to take driving test on behalf of other people. NCA investigation, instructed by the Organised Crime Group at the CPS.
Catherine Farrelly leading Senghin Kong in this prosecution of 6 defendants on charges including attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery and conspiracy to rob. At the close of the prosecution case the learned Judge upheld submissions of no case to answer on the charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery. As a result the prosecution appealed this at an expedited hearing. The Court of Appeal allowed the prosecution appeal and the trial continued on all charges. Leveson LJ gave the judgment of the court reported here. The 6 defendants were eventually convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery and conspiracy to rob. The case involved complex cell site evidence and legal argument. Guardian report here.
"Catherine is very calm, collected and proactive. She is everything you would want in a barrister."
Chambers UK 2025
"Catherine is excellent in every respect. She is very hard-working and puts a lot of time and effort into preparing her cases thoroughly and making sure, as far as is possible, that any gaps in the evidence are closed off. She is very good at putting witnesses at ease before they give their evidence. Her closing speeches are some of the best to be seen. She is very persuasive both when addressing juries and during legal argument."
Legal 500 2025
