Peter Donnison

Practice Overview

Peter was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in 2012 and became a tenant at 30 Park Place in 2015 following successful completion of pupillage under the supervision of Tracey Lloyd-Nesling (Crime) and Max Davies (Family and Civil).

Peter is rapidly developing a busy practice and has been Junior counsel in significant cases including those of Murder, Attempt Murder, Complex Fraud, Drugs Conspiracies and Inquests.  In November 2018 he received a Certificate of Commendation from Home Office Immigration Enforcement and the National Crime Agency for his significant contribution as Junior counsel in Operation Queen, a complex multi handed immigration fraud.  His ability has also been recognised by his approval as a Level 3 Crown Prosecution Service Advocate Panel advocate after just three years in practice and his membership of the CPS Specialist Fraud Panel.

Peter has particular interest in criminal law, regulatory matters, and civil litigation and has quickly gained appreciation for his diligence, dedication and judgment. His determination, thorough preparation and commitment to his cases has been recognised by those instructing him and he seeks to provide an approachable and professional style, tackling issues head on and dealing with difficulties as they arise.

During his pupillage, Peter gained valuable and in depth experience across all Chambers’ practice areas and spent considerable time with other members of Chambers. He now regularly appears in the County, Magistrates’ and Crown Courts (both prosecuting and defending); and represents clients at hearings before various regulatory bodies.

Peter was educated in Cardiff and Halesowen in the West Midlands before returning to study Law at Cardiff University.  He remained in Cardiff for the Bar Professional Training Course where he obtained the highest grade of ‘Outstanding’ and received a number of awards for his performance. Prior to starting pupillage Peter obtained a distinction in the LLM in Legal Practice for research into the law of evidence, and he worked at Hugh James Solicitors in the Nursing Care Department, gaining valuable experience assisting and speaking for clients at NHS Review Panels. Peter then went on to work for the international development charity Christian Aid as the Wales Regional and Legacies Coordinator, developing his advocacy and speaking at numerous campaigning and fundraising events.

Outside of work Peter enjoys music, running, playing hockey and attending his Church. He is also a committed Welsh language learner.

Notable and Reported cases

• Yemm and Williams Inquest

  Peter was instructed as Junior Counsel in the four week Inquests touching the deaths of Cerys Yemm and Matthew Williams in Argoed.  The case included issues relating to police taser policies and mental health provision in the community.

• Operation Queen

  Peter was instructed by the CPS and Home Office as Junior Prosecution counsel in a complex Immigration Fraud named Operation Queen.  This case involved the facilitation of illegal entry into the UK in which all 10 Defendants were convicted.  As a result of this work, Peter was awarded a Home Office Immigration Enforcement & National Crime Agency commendation in recognition of his contribution to the case.

• R v SE

  Peter was instructed as Junior Counsel to Caroline Rees QC in an Attempt Murder and Child Cruelty case concerning a mother and her new born baby.  The case included consideration of complex issues surrounding intention and post natal mental health.

• Operation Vermont 2021

  Defence junior counsel in the upcoming trial  for one of thirty Defendants charged with Conspiracy to produce and supply in excess of 700 Kg of Class A drugs.

• Operation Empire 2020

  Prosecution junior counsel in this 11 Defendant case concerning a Class A drug conspiracy to supply a total of over 28 Kg of cocaine valued at in excess of £1 million.

• R v LC and Others 2020

  Defence junior counsel for one of eight Defendants charged with the Murder of a 17 year old in Barry in the summer of 2019.

• Crime

  Peter regularly Prosecutes and Defends at all stages of the criminal court process and has developed considerable experience in this area since he became a tenant in Chambers. Peter has represented Prosecution and Defence in a wide range of trials including S18 Wounding, Possession with Intent to Supply Class A Drugs, Dangerous Driving, Robbery, Serious Sexual Offences, Fraud and Burglary.  Peter has also been Junior counsel in complex criminal cases including Murder, Attempted Murder, Drug Conspiracies and Fraud.  His ability has been recognised by his approval as a Level 3 Crown Prosecution Service Advocate Panel advocate after just three years in practice and his membership of the CPS Specialist Fraud Panel.  Having studied and written about the law of evidence for his Masters Degree in Legal Practice, Peter brings a great interest in and knowledge of, the law of evidence to his cases to the benefit of his clients. As a pupil he also gave administrative assistance to the prosecution for Operation Dino, Car Crash Insurance Fraud.  This provided a valuable insight into high profile and complex criminal trials. In addition to prosecuting and defending in the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court, he is regularly instructed in the County Court in relation to anti-social behaviour orders and injunctions, matters for and against the police, licensing reviews and other regulatory matters.

• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence

  Peter is rapidly developing a successful practice representing both claimants and defendants in all areas of personal injury and clinical negligence including road traffic accidents, employers liability, occupiers’ liability, slips and trips, deafness claims and credit hire.  He accepts instructions to draft and advise on liability and quantum, pleadings and wider issues including on a Conditional Fee Agreement basis and has been instructed in small claims, fast track and multi track trials.  In the summer of 2016 he completed a secondment with NHS Legal and Risk gaining further experience in personal injury and clinical negligence matters.

• Police Actions & Prison Law

  Peter represents clients in wide ranging cases of actions against the police and also represents parties at associated inquests.  Peter is regularly instructed in the County Court in relation to anti-social behaviour orders and injunctions, closure orders and criminal behaviour orders including matters for and against the police and housing associations.

• Regulatory & Inquests

  Peter is pleased to accept instructions for regulatory matters, inquiries and inquests.  Peter was instructed to appear as Junior Counsel for the Williams family in one of the most significant Inquests in Wales in 2017, that being the four week Inquests touching the deaths of Cerys Yemm and Matthew Williams.  During this time Peter developed significant experience in disclosure.  He both prosecutes and defends in matters on behalf of individuals, organisations, local authorities and regulatory agencies and he regularly appears on behalf of clients at tribunals, licensing reviews, trials other regulatory hearings.  As part of this work he has experience in regulatory matters including fraud, veterinary medicines, alcohol licencing, food hygiene and environmental safety, companies house prosecutions and education matters such as school non attendance. 

  In the summer of 2016 he completed a secondment with NHS Legal and Risk as part following which he has received multiple instructions to act for parties at inquests.

• Appointments
  • Level 3 Crown Prosecution Service Advocate Panel advocate
  • Level 2 Crown Prosecution Service Specialist Fraud Panel
  • Attorney General Regional C Panel 
  • Member of the Criminal Bar Association
• Education & Qualification
  • Called to the Bar by The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn (2012)
  • LLM in Legal Practice (Distinction), Cardiff University (2013)
  • Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding), Cardiff University (2012)
  • LLB Law Degree (2.1), Cardiff University (2008-2011)
  • Practical Certificate in Intermediate Welsh, University of Wales Trinity Saint David (2015)
• Recommendations
  • 'Rising Star: A determined and committed advocate who has been a junior for murder, attempt murder and complex fraud.' (Legal 500, 2021)
• Awards
  • Home Office Immigration Enforcement & National Crime Agency Commendation in recognition of his work on Operation Queen, a complex Immigration Fraud. He was commended for his “tenacity and work under extreme pressure”.
  • Buchanan Prize for highest bar course result in his year presented by The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
  • The Lord Williams of Mostyn Achievement Award presented by The Wales and Chester Circuit for the Best Performance in Professional Ethics 2011/12
  • The Tom Glanville Jones Prize presented by Angel Chambers for the Best Performance in Criminal Practice 2011/12
  • Hardwicke Entrance Award presented by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn