Mr Lawrence McDonald > Exchange Chambers > Manchester, England > Barrister Profile
Exchange Chambers Offices
201 DEANSGATE
MANCHESTER
M3 3NW
England
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Mr Lawrence McDonald
Work Department
Commercial; Property
Position
Lawrence is an experienced commercial litigator with particular expertise in property, insolvency and professional negligence cases. He acts for companies, individuals, office holders and public bodies before courts and tribunals of all levels in England and Wales.
Prior to life at the bar, Lawrence worked at a number of law firms both in London (Linklaters and Nabarro’s) and Liverpool (Brabners). This has enabled him to build a practice that understands the complexities of both sides of the table. He also has an extensive advisory and mediation practice.
Lawrence has recognised strength in:
- Property litigation of all types including real property, landlord and tenant and service charges
- Commercial litigation including contractual disputes, Tort claims, injunctions, company, partnership, trusts and probate and property related commercial cases
- Personal and corporate insolvency
- Professional negligence, particularly in claims involving solicitors, often for conveyancing or other property related negligence.
Career
Called 1996; Recorder (Chancery, Civil & Criminal); Deputy District Judge; Junior Counsel to the Crown (Attorney General’s Regional Panel)
Memberships
- Northern Circuit
- Chancery Bar Association
- Northern Chancery Bar Association (Committee)
- Northern Circuit Commercial Bar Association
- Inner Temple
Education
- The Inns of Court School of Law
- University College London
- The Manchester Grammar School
Leisure
In the summer of 2016, Lawrence sailed from New York to London via Ireland and Holland as a crew member on the final leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. He also enjoys throwing himself down mountains on either skis or a mountain bike. Lawrence has competed nationally or internationally in areas as diverse as chess, judo and debating.
Other than that, Lawrence spends most of his time as an unpaid driver for his three daughters’ various sport, music and social engagements.
Lawyer Rankings
Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Commercial litigation
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 3Lawrence McDonald – Exchange Chambers ‘Lawrence is an outstanding, technical, and robust litigator. He is knowledgeable, polite, and strong with effective communication skills.’
Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Property and construction
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 1Lawrence McDonald – Exchange Chambers ‘Lawrence is very robust in submissions. Judges appreciate his technical expertise and calm presence in court.’
Construction law is a key area of expertise for members at Exchange Chambers, and with several barristers boasting industry-specific qualifications, Chartered Quantity Surveyors and a Chartered Builder form part of the team. It is also highly experienced in property-related cases, covering both commercial and residential-based mandates surrounding planning, registered land, landlord and tenant disputes, and boundary issues. The set houses David Fearon and Simon Whitfield, who both possess expertise in construction and engineering disputes. Fearon is representing the defendant in Shiers v QM Developments, a case arising from allegations that a drainage system the builders installed was defective and caused the property to flood and suffer damage. Andrew Williams practices exclusively in real estate litigation, and he is acting for the claimant, who manages a large residential housing development, in Cwmni Rheoli Pentref Marina Conwy v McCarthy; this concerns the challenge of a covenant preventing the property owners from letting houses on a short-term basis to holiday-makers. Lawrence McDonald, who acts for companies, individuals, office holders, and public bodies before all court levels, and Brynmor Adams, who handles a variety of commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes, are also key members.