Call: 2023 | Australia: 2017
Roy Donnelly specialises in professional regulation and discipline, clinical negligence, inquests, and general health law matters. He is currently Deputy Head of the Regulatory Team at Pump Court Chambers.
Roy has medical and business qualifications and practised as a doctor and senior medical manager in Australia for many years prior to becoming a lawyer. He qualified as a solicitor in Australia in 2007 and was first admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 2017. He is a past practising Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators and Foundation Fellow of the Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine, Royal College of Pathologists Australasia.
Before relocating to the UK in 2021 Roy managed a busy practice in New South Wales Australia including medical / clinical negligence, professional regulation and disciplinary matters, and held a special interest in research ethics and governance.
Since moving to the UK Roy has built on his Australian experience advising and representing health professionals in complex regulatory and disciplinary matters, representing individual practitioners and Trusts at inquests, and advising on clinical negligence and personal injury matters.
Roy drafted two chapters in the 5th edition of the Australian Medical Council guidance ‘Good Medical Practice: Professionalism, Ethics and Law’ which was released March 2026 being chapter 25 Negligence and Professional Liability and chapter 18 People with Mental Illness and the Law.
Roy has substantive experience advising and representing health practitioners and Regulators at professional regulatory proceedings including Fitness to Practise Committees / Medical Practitioner Tribunals / Conduct and Competence Committees, Interim Order Committees and High Court reviews, and substantive order reviews.
Roy’s background as a medical practitioner and senior health manager means he brings a unique depth of knowledge and understanding to the complex issues that arise within health care regulatory proceedings.
Examples of feedback from clients:
“Roy, your advocacy at the hearing was outstanding. Your depth of legal knowledge, clear strategy, and composed yet compelling delivery in the tribunal setting gave me the best possible chance. You articulated my situation with dignity, insight, and clarity, helping the panel see the broader context and the steps I had taken to reflect and remediate. Watching you work gave me immense reassurance and reinforced my sense that I was in expert hands.” (NMC FTP matter 2025)
‘”From the moment I met Mr Donnelly I felt at ease. He took over in a very professional manner. He went above and beyond speaking to me via Whatsapp to help me even after his working time. He was always available to help. When I attended the substantive hearing I was petrified. Mr Donnelly felt this and guided me through every step of the way. I enjoyed watching how he questioned the staff. He was like a viper drawing them in by his way of questioning. They didn’t even realise what he was doing. He soon showed how untruthful they had been through this, but always staying very calm and professional. It was an absolute pleasure having been represented by him. My case was won.’ (NMC FTP matter 2025)
Represented a doctor-in-training facing allegations of failing to disclose a past serious criminal conviction to the GMC. Doctor admitted the allegations. The tribunal found the doctor impaired, but due persuasive evidence of insight and remediation ordered a 6 month suspension only.
Represented senior nurse facing 13 charges including bullying, and making sexualised and racist comments towards patients and staff. All contested charges were found not proved. A single admitted charge was found proved. The nurse’s fitness to practise was found not impaired.
Acted for NMC regarding charges against a nurse of poor clinical care and dishonesty. The Fitness to Practise panel found most charges proven and registrant impaired. A caution was ordered.
Represented senior nurse and residential care manager charged with multiple allegations regarding breaches of infection control standards and alleged failing to protect staff and patients during very early stages of the COVID pandemic. The Fitness to Practise Committee found no case to answer on three charges (due to lack of evidence) and the majority of other charges not proved. The Committee found the nurse’s fitness to practise was not impaired.
Represented experienced and senior nurse accused of unprofessional conduct towards a patient on two separate occasions. A number of charges were found proved and the panel found misconduct in relation to one incident. However, based on evidence presented of insight, remediation and the isolated nature of the incident, the nurse’s fitness to practise was found not impaired.
Represented nurse charged with multiple concerns of unprofessional conduct and dishonesty. A number of charges were admitted. The remaining contested charges were found not proved. Based on evidence presented of insight and remediation, the nurse’s fitness to practise was found not impaired.
Roy provides advice and representation for doctors, nurses, other health practitioners, NHS Trusts and other organisations appointed as Interested Persons at inquests including Article 2 and jury inquests. His past cases have involved care issues such as mental health management, deaths in custody, suicide risk and prevention, prescribing practices, emergency services responses, and transgender care.
In Australia Roy had significant exposure to Coroner’s investigations and inquests both advising health services and practitioners appearing at inquests. He previously worked as a legal advisor for NSW custodial and forensic health services.
Roy provides advice and representation in clinical negligence matters.
Roy maintains medical / clinical negligence practice in Australia advising claimants / plaintiffs in all aspects of their claim including assessing prospects, obtaining appropriate expert advice, drafting claims and pleadings, and representing claimants at mediation or settlement conferences.
Roy is instructed in matters involving complex medical care with difficult issues of breach and causation. His past Australian cases have included allegations of incorrect or delayed diagnosis, delayed treatment, negligent performance of surgery, negligent anaesthesia or critical care treatment, negligent post-operative care, negligent obstetric care and birth injury, poor nursing care and falls prevention, delayed patient transport, negligent physiotherapy, and failure to recognise and act on abnormal imaging or pathology results.
Advised and represented young claimant who experienced delayed diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage causing significant long term disability and inability to work. Particularly complex matter in relation to causation and quantum with over 20 expert reports. Achieved significant settlement sum at mediation to cover future care needs, loss of income and non-economic loss (general damages).
Advised and represented claimant who suffered unusual long term neurological injury to wrist following insertion of IV cannula during minor surgery. Complex matter with over 15 expert reports and 7 expert conclave reports. Achieved settlement of matter at second mediation 1 month ahead of trial where all matters of liability and quantum were still in dispute.
Roy accepts instructions in personal injury claims relating to road traffic accident trials (RTAs), including credit hire claims and claims where fraud concerns have been raised involving low velocity impact.
He is available to appear in the County Court on fast-track trials, small claims hearings, MOJ Stage 3 hearings, and interlocutory applications.
Roy also has experience in Australia advising and assisting in personal injury matters and acting for claimants / plaintiffs in high value clinical negligence matters.
Many congratulations to Roy Donnelly, who has joined Chambers as […]
We are pleased to announce that Roy Donnelly has joined […]
To instruct Roy or if you require help or advice please contact our clerking team.
Call +44 (0)20 7353 0711 or email clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.
London Chambers
3 Pump Court
Temple
London
EC4Y 7AJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7353 0711
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3241
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
Winchester Chambers
31 Southgate Street
Winchester
SO23 9EB
Tel: +44 (0)1962 868 161
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3240
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
Swindon Chambers
3 Newbridge Square
Aylesbury Street
Swindon
SN1 1HN
Tel: +44 (0)1793 539 899
Fax: +44 (0)845 259 3242
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
Canterbury Chambers
6 - 8 Longmarket (inside Regus workspace)
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2JS
Tel: +44 (0)1227 764 899
Email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com
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