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). 

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, Family, Magistrates’ and Crown Courts (both prosecuting and defending); and at the Immigration Tribunal. 

Peter has particular interest in criminal law, civil litigation and matrimonial finance matters 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.

Peter is developing a mixed practice covering all Chambers’ practice areas. 

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 and 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, doing advocacy and speaking at numerous campaigning and fundraising events.

Outside of work Peter enjoys music, playing hockey and attending his Church. 

He is also a committed Welsh language learner. 

Notable and Reported cases

• Chancery & Commercial

  Peter accepts instructions to draft and advise in addition to representing clients in a wide range of chancery and commercial matters including those relating to unpaid contracts, unpaid solicitors fees, breach of contract, unfair contract terms, building and construction disputes and recruitment referral fees.  He is developing a successful practice in contractual disputes and has represented clients at CCMC, small claims, fast track and multi track trials in respect of such matters. Peter also represents clients at mediation in attempt to resolve matters out of court. He is regularly instructed in a broad range of civil applications including those for relief from third party debt orders and hardship payments, disclosure applications, applications to set aside, charging orders and monetary applications.

• Cohabitee & Matrimonial Finance

  Having spent his second six months of pupillage under the supervision of Max Davies specialising in matrimonial finance matters, Peter developed a great interest in this area of work.  He hopes to assist clients during this challenging time of their lives and through thorough preparation resolve matters appropriately be that with or without further hearings.  He is pleased to accept instructions to advise and represent clients at all hearings in the Family Court.

• Crime

  Peter regularly represents defendants at all stages of the criminal court process and has developed considerable experience in this area since he became a tenant in Chambers.  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 providing 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. Peter is an approved Level 1 Crown Prosecution Service Advocate Panel advocate.

• Immigration & Asylum

  Peter represents clients and accepts instructions across a range of Immigration and Asylum appeals and associated applications.

• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence

  Peter is rapidly developing a successful practice representing both claimants and defendants in all personal injury and clinical negligence matters including road traffic accidents, employers liability, slips and trips and credit hire.  He accepts instructions to draft and advise on liability and quantum 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

  In addition to prosecuting and defending in the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court, 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, Inquiries & Inquests

  Peter is pleased to accept instructions for regulatory matters, inquiries and inquests.  He both prosecutes and defends in matters on behalf of individuals, organisations, local authorities and agencies such as DEFRA 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
  • Member of the Criminal Bar Association
  • Member of the Family Law Bar Association
  • Level 1 Prosecutor
• 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 Foundation Welsh, University of Wales Trinity Saint David (2014) (Now studying the Intermediate level)
• Awards
  • Buchanan Prize for highest bar course result 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.