Business Details
23 Years
experience
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Belfast
MKB Law was founded in November 2003 by Gordon McElroy and Anne Marie Kelly, with Maria Conway appointed Director in 2007 and David McAlinden joining as Director in 2016. We are an independent commercial law firm offering a full-service approach to business owners, senior executives, and their families. Recognised as one of the most respected commercial law firms in Belfast and Northern Ireland, our core services span corporate and commercial matters, energy and renewables, property and real estate, corporate recovery, banking and finance, dispute resolution, and private client matters. Our multidisciplinary solicitors work collaboratively to provide pragmatic advice tailored to client challenges. Ranked in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, we combine commercial acumen with sector-specific expertise across industries.Our team includes specialists in licensing, gaming, and regulatory compliance, with a strong focus on renewable energy projects, particularly solar PV developments. We provide strategic legal guidance for complex transactions, insolvency processes, and family law matters, supported by a commitment to client-centric service. Our conveyancing team is regarded as one of the top practices in Northern Ireland, delivering efficient residential property services. We maintain a strong presence in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland through our Belfast and Dublin offices.
Services
Corporate and Commercial
Commercial Property
Energy and Renewables
Licensing and Gaming
Banking and Finance
Dispute Resolution
Corporate Recovery
Private Client
Conveyancing
Family Law
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of combined experience in commercial law across our leadership team.
- Our multidisciplinary approach ensures seamless legal solutions for complex business challenges.
- Recognised in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 for excellence in legal services.
- Specialist expertise in renewable energy projects, particularly solar PV developments across the UK.
- Ranked as one of the most respected commercial law firms in Belfast and Northern Ireland.
Associations and certifications
- Chambers & Partners
- The Legal 500
- Law Society of Northern Ireland
Services
Corporate and Commercial
Our Corporate and Commercial division provides strategic legal advice for businesses across sectors. We specialise in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, commercial contracts, and corporate restructuring. With expertise in cross-border transactions and regulatory compliance, we help businesses navigate complex legal challenges while supporting growth and operational success.
Commercial Property
We offer comprehensive legal solutions for commercial real estate transactions, including development, acquisitions, and property management. Our team handles lease agreements, planning permissions, construction contracts, and investment acquisitions. We represent clients in retail, hospitality, industrial, and mixed-use developments, ensuring compliance with local regulations and successful project completion.
Energy and Renewables
Our Energy and Renewables team specialises in solar PV developments, grid connections, and project finance. We advise developers and funders on site assembly, planning consents, and regulatory compliance. With expertise in energy storage and O&M agreements, we support clients through all stages of renewable energy projects across the UK and Ireland.
Dispute Resolution
We provide strategic dispute resolution services for commercial conflicts, including construction disputes, shareholder disagreements, and intellectual property infringement. Our team prioritises alternative dispute resolution methods while preparing robust litigation strategies when necessary. We represent clients in multi-jurisdictional cases and insolvency-related disputes.
Licensing and Gaming
Our Licensing team advises on liquor licences, gaming regulations, and hospitality sector compliance. We handle applications, renewals, and objections with expertise in Northern Ireland's unique statutory framework. We support businesses in securing permits, addressing layout changes, and navigating regulatory challenges for leisure and gaming operations.
People
Gordon McElroy
Director
Co-founder of MKB Law in 2003, Gordon leads the Energy and Renewables team with extensive experience in solar PV developments and project finance across the UK and Ireland.
Anne Marie Kelly
Director
Co-founder of MKB Law, Anne Marie contributes her expertise in corporate law and has been instrumental in establishing the firm's reputation for commercial legal services since 2003.
Maria Conway
Director
Appointed Director in 2007, Maria specialises in commercial property and licensing law, leading teams that provide strategic advice for real estate transactions and regulatory compliance.
David McAlinden
Director
Joined MKB Law as Director in 2016, David leads the Corporate Recovery and Dispute Resolution teams, bringing expertise in insolvency processes and multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation.
Emma Smyth
Associate Director
Head of the Residential Property department, Emma leads one of Northern Ireland's top conveyancing practices, delivering efficient and transparent residential property services for sales, purchases, and equity releases.
Questions
What areas of law does MKB Law specialise in?
We specialise in corporate and commercial law, commercial property, energy and renewables, licensing, banking and finance, dispute resolution, corporate recovery, private client matters, and conveyancing.
How does MKB Law differ from other law firms?
We combine commercial acumen with sector-specific expertise, offering a multidisciplinary approach and recognition in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 for our legal excellence.
Do you handle cross-border legal matters?
Yes, our team has experience in multi-jurisdictional cases, particularly in corporate transactions, dispute resolution, and renewable energy projects across the UK and Ireland.
What is your approach to dispute resolution?
We prioritise alternative dispute resolution methods but prepare robust litigation strategies when necessary, focusing on minimising business disruption and achieving cost-effective solutions.
How do you support renewable energy projects?
We provide end-to-end legal support for solar PV developments, including site assembly, planning consents, grid connections, and project finance documentation across the UK and Ireland.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Philip Rees
Dec 09, 2021
Report
Both Emma and Tonya made selling my house hassle free. Communication was excellent, and always had time to discuss any issues regarding the sale. I look forward to using MKB in the future.
Tracey Geddis
Dec 04, 2021
Report
Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Big thanks to Emma and the team at MKB Law for dealing with the conveyancing of our house sale, and purchase of our new home. Would definitely recommend them based on our experience. Very friendly and easy to communicate with.
Big thanks to Emma and the team at MKB Law for dealing with the conveyancing of our house sale, and purchase of our new home. Would definitely recommend them based on our experience. Very friendly and easy to communicate with.
Aj
Nov 05, 2021
Report
I had reason to use MKB Law lately and I'm glad they were the the firm I went to. Mollie Thompson was assigned to my case (personal injury) and I'm glad she was. She was professional and knowledgeable in all aspects surrounding it. I was kept fully updated with a great breakdown of how proceedings were progressing at all stages.
Mollie asked me what the best result was that I could ask for and that's exactly how she resulted the case. I would definitely recommend this firm and Mollie Thompson and should I find myself in a similar predicament I will definitely be contacting her again.
Mollie asked me what the best result was that I could ask for and that's exactly how she resulted the case. I would definitely recommend this firm and Mollie Thompson and should I find myself in a similar predicament I will definitely be contacting her again.
Jonny Hewitt
Nov 02, 2021
Report
I spoke with David McAlinden on Friday 15th October and he agreed he could help me sort out a legal matter, he said his assistant would contact me to get further details, probably today. No one contacted me so on Tuesday the 19th I phoned the office twice before I got speaking to someone who said David was not in the office today and that Oonagh Kelly would contact me.
Oonagh Kelly phoned on the 20th and asked me to pay 300 for a consultation with David McAlinden (If I had to pay 300 for a consultation before speaking to David that would have been fine, that is the going rate but why would
Oonagh Kelly phoned on the 20th and asked me to pay 300 for a consultation with David McAlinden (If I had to pay 300 for a consultation before speaking to David that would have been fine, that is the going rate but why would
Dearbhaile
Oct 14, 2021
Report
We recently bought our first house using MKB Law and could not have been happier with the service. Emma Smyth was extremely helpful, explaining the process clearly and providing expert advice when needed. She dealt with our purchase professionally, efficiently and kept in touch throughout the process. After hearing horror stories from others about their experience with solicitors in house sales, I'm confident we made the right choice with MKB law. A big thank you to Emma and Tonya for their help, we couldn't have got there without it! All the best, Dearbhaile and Ashleigh.
Neil Davis
Sep 14, 2021
Report
This is the second time I have used MKB Law and the second time I have worked with Emma.
Emma was fantastic throughout the process of house-purchase. She laid out, up front, what was required and explained everything in detail and made sure I was 100% clear on everything I, and others, needed to do. When she was out of the office for a week, she had cover and made sure I knew who to contact and when - Tonya was also fantastic with almost-immediate responses and very clear communications. I have had nothing but excellence from Emma and Tonya at MKB Law and I recommend them to anyone.
Thanks
Emma was fantastic throughout the process of house-purchase. She laid out, up front, what was required and explained everything in detail and made sure I was 100% clear on everything I, and others, needed to do. When she was out of the office for a week, she had cover and made sure I knew who to contact and when - Tonya was also fantastic with almost-immediate responses and very clear communications. I have had nothing but excellence from Emma and Tonya at MKB Law and I recommend them to anyone.
Thanks
