Gary Donaldson
King's Counsel
Joint Head of Chambers
Areas of Practice:
Year of call
Professional bio
Gary joined chambers in 2021 after completing a Business & Property / Chancery and Commercial pupillage under the supervision of David Green.Gary’s has a wide ranging Business & Property practice. Gary is friendly and approachable and is happy to discuss matters with instructing solicitors prior to formal instructions. Requests for paperwork will usually receive a response within 21 days; tighter deadlines can be accommodated upon request.Before coming to the bar, Gary studied Law at Liverpool John Moores University and the BPTC at Manchester Metropolitan University. Gary spent several years as an Insurance Broker, specialising in professional indemnity insurance for construction professionals advising on matters relating to the placement of insurance through the Lloyds market, tendering, procurement, construction negligence and contractual matters on high profile projects in the UK, Australia, the Middle East and Asia.Outside of work Gary is a keen mountaineer and shares his passion for the outdoors with his local Scout group. Gary also regularly endures watching Tranmere Rovers and has spent time as a football referee with ‘career’ highlights including officiating in the qualifying rounds of the F.A. Cup and Premier League Reserve fixtures.
Education and qualifications
Bar Professional Training Course – Manchester Metropolitan University
Law LLB Hons – Liverpool John Moores University
Diploma in Insurance – Chartered Institute of Insurance
Major Exhibition Award – Inner Temple
Memberships
Further Information
Gary’s practice includes trusts, probate and family provision, encompassing both contentious and non-contentious probate, matters arising under the Inheritance (Provision for Families and Dependants) Act 1975, and disputes relating to the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. He advises on the administration of estates and trusts, the role of administrators and trustees, the variation of trusts, trust deeds, and charities and charitable trusts. He also handles issues relating to wills validity, trusts and beneficial interests, administration actions, intestate succession, executors and personal representatives, and statutory wills.
In the field of landlord and tenant law, Gary’s work spans both commercial and residential matters, including social housing, possession claims, dilapidations and disrepair, agricultural tenancies, leasehold enfranchisement, and the construction of leases. He has experience in 1954 Act business tenancies, break clauses and options, licences, forfeiture and possession, and issues concerning rent and service charges.
Gary accepts instructions in all types of construction matters. Drawing on his prior experience in the insurance industry for construction professionals, he has worked with consulting engineers, architects, surveyors, and contractors on disputes involving payment, risk management, tendering, procurement, and construction negligence. He has considerable expertise in relation to standard form construction contracts, including RIBA, FIDIC, JCT, ACE, and ICE (ground investigation), both in the UK and internationally. He has particular experience with NEC3 and NEC4 contracts, and frequently advises on early warning notices, compensation events and pain-sharing mechanisms, payment options, and ‘Z Clauses’.
His insurance background also places him in a strong position to advise on a wide range of insurance-related disputes.
In matters relating to land and property, Gary’s practice covers boundaries, drainage disputes, rights of way, easements, adverse possession, trusts of land, proprietary estoppel, trespass, nuisance, highways, party wall issues, land registration, and compulsory purchase.
Insolvency and bankruptcy disputes, including those involving partnerships, also form part of Gary’s practice.
Additionally, Gary undertakes Court of Protection work, including applications, issues relating to capacity, the role of deputies, lasting and ordinary powers of attorney, and living wills.
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