Roy Donnelly
Call: 2023 / Australia: 2017
- Called to the Bar of England and Wales, Middle Temple, 12 Oct 2023
- Admitted as Barrister to the New South Wales Bar Australia, 28 Aug 2017
- Admitted as Solicitor New South Wales Supreme Court Australia, 7 Dec 2007
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) University of Technology Sydney, 1998
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) University of New South Wales (equiv. upper second-class honours), 2006
- Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), University of New South Wales, 1990
- Member, Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers UK
- Fellow, Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine, Royal College of Pathologists Australasia, 2016
- Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, 2000
- Registered Medical Practitioner, Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (currently non-practising)
- Registered Medical Practitioner, General Medical Council, UK, (without license to practise)
Instructing Roy Donnelly
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Roy specialises in health law including clinical negligence, health professional regulatory and disciplinary matters, inquests / inquiries, and general health law advice.
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 the Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine, Royal College of Pathologists Australasia.
Before relocating to the UK in 2021 Roy managed a busy practice primarily in clinical negligence matters, health practitioner regulation, as well as providing occasional pro-bono criminal law advice and representation.
Since moving to the UK in 2021 Roy has obtained significant experience advising and representing medical practitioners at Inquests, as well as advising doctors, dentists, pharmacists and nurses in complex regulatory matters.
In terms of clinical negligence claims, Roy has a unique blend of experience and knowledge as a doctor, health manager and lawyer and is able to manage both claimant and defendant matters across a wide range of medical and surgical fields.
Roy has also developed a particular expertise in research governance and ethics being a Deputy Chair of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (Sydney), reviewing high level research and clinical trial proposals, advising on complex matters involving the ethics of new healthcare treatments, and advising and investigating allegations of research misconduct.
Legal Services
Roy managed a busy medical/clinical negligence practice in Australia primarily advising claimants/plaintiffs in all aspects of their claim including assessing prospects, obtaining appropriate expert advice, drafting claims and pleadings, managing interlocutory matters, advising in preparation for hearing, and representing claimants at mediation or settlement conferences.
He was often instructed in matters involving complex medical care with difficult issues of breach and causation. His past 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.
In 2021 Roy was asked by the Australian Medical Council to draft the revised chapter ‘Negligence, Professional Liability and Adverse Events’ for their publication ‘Good Medical Practice: Professionalism, Ethics and Law’.
Across Australia and the UK Roy has experience both prosecuting regulatory matters and advising health practitioners facing disciplinary and regulatory concerns. His cases have included a range of health practitioners including doctors (GP’s, specialists, and doctors in training), dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and optometrists.
In New South Wales he regularly prosecuted complex tribunal matters against health practitioners (via the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission). Since moving to the UK he has obtained experience working as a consultant in a leading defendant firm assisting health practitioners facing regulatory investigations, interim order tribunals, and fitness to practice allegations.
Since moving to the UK Roy obtained significant experience advising and representing doctors appearing as Interested Persons at Inquests in his role as consultant at a leading health law firm. His cases have involved care issues such as mental health management, suicide risk and prevention, prescribing practices, drugs of addiction, 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, as well as a legal advisor for custodial and forensic health services assisting at mandatory Inquests for deaths in custody. He has also appeared as a witness himself working as a doctor and health manager on behalf of health services in NSW.
- Called to the Bar of England and Wales, Middle Temple, 12 Oct 2023
- Admitted as Barrister to the New South Wales Bar Australia, 28 Aug 2017
- Admitted as Solicitor New South Wales Supreme Court Australia, 7 Dec 2007
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) University of Technology Sydney, 1998
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) University of New South Wales (equiv. upper second-class honours), 2006
- Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), University of New South Wales, 1990
- Member, Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers UK
- Fellow, Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine, Royal College of Pathologists Australasia, 2016
- Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, 2000
- Registered Medical Practitioner, Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (currently non-practising)
- Registered Medical Practitioner, General Medical Council, UK, (without license to practise)
Instructing Roy Donnelly
Would you like to know more?
If you require help or advice please contact our clerking team.
Call +44 (0)20 7353 0711 or email clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.
