Peter Donnison

Call: 2012

: Email
: Call
: CV (PDF)
: vCard
: Save profile

Peter Donnison specialises in serious crime and regulatory law.

Called to the Bar in 2012, he joined 30 Park Place in 2015, following pupillage under Tracey Lloyd-Nesling and Max Davies. He has since developed a strong and varied practice. Peter is recognised for his skill, judgement and commitment across a wide range of complex and serious cases.

Peter is regularly instructed as junior counsel in the most serious criminal matters, including murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, serious sexual offences, complex fraud and large-scale drugs conspiracies. He has acted as leading junior, led junior and junior alone, and has appeared in high-profile multi-defendant trials. He also represents individuals before regulatory bodies and at inquests. His contribution to Operation Queen, a major immigration fraud, was recognised with a Certificate of Commendation from the Home Office and the National Crime Agency.

Recommended by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, Peter is known for his diligence, strategic focus and client-centred approach. Instructing solicitors value his thorough preparation, calmness under pressure and willingness to tackle difficult issues directly.

Peter studied Law at Cardiff University, where he also completed the Bar Professional Training Course with the highest grade of ‘Outstanding’. He holds an LLM in Legal Practice and has previous experience working in both legal and advocacy roles, including with Hugh James Solicitors and Christian Aid.

Peter is a keen runner, musician and tennis player, he enjoys attending a local Church in Cardiff and is committed to learning the Welsh language.

Expertise

Crime

Peter is regularly instructed as junior counsel in the most serious criminal matters, including murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, serious sexual offences, complex fraud and large-scale drugs conspiracies. He has acted as leading junior, led junior and junior alone, and has appeared in high-profile multi-defendant trials. Peter also represents children and young people in the Youth Court for offences including those of the utmost seriousness.

Regulatory

Peter represents individuals before regulatory bodies and at inquests. Peter regularly appears in regulatory cases in the Crown Court including those involving food safety and health and safety.

Additional Information

Appointments

Criminal Bar Association Executive Committee Wales and Chester Circuit Representative (2021 – 2023)
Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) (2021)
Qualified Advocacy Trainer
Qualified Pupil Supervisor
CPS Level 4 Advocate Panel
CPS Level 3 Fraud Panel
CPS Level 3 Serious Crime Panel
HSE Category B List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates

Education

Cardiff University

Languages

Welsh (learning)

Memberships

Criminal Bar Association

Notable & Reported Cases

R v KG (2025) – Defence murder led by Ignatius Hughes KC.
R v M (2025) Court of Appeal – Successfully appealed sentence in a historic sex case.
R v R and Others (2025) – Defence leading junior where the defendant was accused of assisting an offender in a murder.
R v O (2024) – Defence junior alone where the defendant was accused of manufacturing firearms on a 3D printer.
R v S (2024) – Defence junior led by Tom Crowther KC in a murder trial involving a stabbing in Newport.
R v S & K (2024) – Leading defence junior in human trafficking trial alleging breach of immigration laws across Europe and facilitating the transportation of hundreds of people across Europe.
R v CM (2024) – Defence junior, led by Caroline Rees KC, in a double attempted murder trial. The defendant was acquitted of all charges faced at trial.
R v SM (2024) – Defence junior, led by Caroline Rees KC, in a case relating to the sexual abuse of a child in a protected setting.
R v AA (2024) – Defence junior alone where the defendant was accused of Manslaughter and possession of an imitation firearm.
R v Q (2023) – Leading junior counsel in trial for of Conspiracy to produce and supply in excess of 700 KG of Class A drugs.
R v A (2023) – Led junior, led by Mark Heywood KC in a matter where the defendant was accused of manslaughter of a young child.
R v B&B (2022) – Junior, led by Nigel Fryer, in trial of 39 counts of historic sexual offences including rapes in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
AG Ref (2022) – In the Court of Appeal Peter successfully mitigated a sentence. Peter was thanked by the Court of Appeal for his “very able mitigation and succinct and focussed oral submissions”.
Operation Beachway (2021) – Led by Nigel Fryer, in a matter involving conspiracy to supply wholesale amounts of over 42KG of high purity Amphetamine.
Operation Vermont (2021) – Defence junior to Tom Crowther KC in a 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) – Led by Nigel Fryer, 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 & Others (2020) – Defence junior to Caroline Rees KC for one of eight Defendants charged with the Murder of a 17 year old in Barry in the summer of 2019.
R v SE (2019) – Led defence junior to Caroline Rees KC in an Attempted 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 Queen (2017 – 2019) – Prosecution led junior by Carl Harrison, in a complex immigration fraud.
Yemm & Williams Inquest (2017) – Led junior to Nicholas Bowen KC 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.

Privacy Policy

For more information
Contact our clerks for assistance with choosing the right barrister for your matter.

clerks@30parkplace.co.uk
+44 (0)2920 398421

"Peter is a highly respected and well-regarded barrister. His advocacy is confident, composed and effective, consistently delivering arguments with clarity and precision."

Chambers UK 2026

’providing an excellent case strategy’.

Legal 500 2026

'Peter is very experienced and willing to take on all matters. He is extremely fair and compassionate with clients and understands their needs.’

Legal 500 2026

"He is exceptionally calm and conveys control and total confidence. He is unflappable in court."

Chambers UK 2025

"Peter is very technical and remains approachable."

Chambers UK 2025

"He is extremely committed to each case he conducts, meticulous in his preparation and a skilled advocate."

Chambers UK 2025

"Peter has a ferocious work ethic and has developed an extensive practice beyond his call."

Legal 500 2025

"He has a keen eye for detail, which is evident in his case presentation."

Legal 500 2025

"Peter has exceptional attention to detail on complex matters yet gives his advice to clients in a clear and understandable way."

Chambers UK 2025

"He is always extremely well prepared and excellent with delivery in court in difficult and high-profile cases."

Chambers UK 2025

"Peter is great to work with. He also has a great personal touch with clients and is sensitive to their needs and worries."

Chambers UK 2024

"He is a very eloquent advocate who can meet the client on their level when giving advice."

Legal 500 2024

"He is very strong with his analysis and preparation of a case and very sound in cross-examination. Moreover, his drafting skills are second-to-none."

Legal 500 2024

"Peter is industrious, conscientious, and able. He gives coherent and clear advice, which is always sound."

Legal 500 2023

"He thinks carefully and strategically about cases. His advice to clients is straightforward and practical."

Legal 500 2023

"Peter is very professional and has vast knowledge of the law. He works extremely hard on his cases and this shines through in the results he has obtained for our clients."

Legal 500 2022

"Rising Star: A determined and committed advocate who has been a junior for murder, attempted murder and complex fraud."

Legal 500 2021

30 Park Place joins the Wales and Chester Circuit Cardiff Half Marathon Challenge for Big Moose

News | 30 September 2025

We’re proud to announce that members of 30 Park Place are taking part in the Wales and Chester Circuit Cardiff Half Marathon Challenge, raising funds…

Peter Donnison is appointed as Deputy District Judge

News | 20 January 2022

We are delighted to congratulate Peter Donnison on his appointment as Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts).

View all related news and resources

Peter Donnison

Expertise

Crime

Regulatory

Additional Information

Appointments

Education

Languages

Memberships

Notable & Reported Cases

Privacy Policy

30 Park Place joins the Wales and Chester Circuit Cardiff Half Marathon Challenge for Big Moose

Peter Donnison is appointed as Deputy District Judge

Get in touch