Donal is a Legal Director who leads the Commercial Landlord and Tenant Disputes team in London.

He and his team regularly advise the firm's key clients on their strategies for managing large and varied portfolios, including all aspects of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, dilapidations, service charge, forfeiture, alienation, lease termination, possession claims, professional negligence, disputes concerning agreements for lease and general property contract disputes.

Donal is also experienced in protecting clients against major business disruption when faced with trespassers in various contexts, including obtaining injunctions against protestors and urban explorers.

Donal acts for a broad range of clients in the built environment sector, with a particular focus on real estate funds and investors, together with a number of corporate occupier clients with extensive property portfolios. He helps them across a range of disputes, from deal-breaking, highly strategic and technical matters, through to day to day issues that arise from managing assets. On the latter, he is focused on the best use of technology for efficient service delivery, as are his team. He is a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 (2017) and Chambers & Partners (since 2025).

He provides regular training to clients and intermediaries on all aspects of commercial landlord and tenant disputes and trespasser issues.

A delight to work with

Chambers 2025

Donal has been described as a "delight to work with" (Chambers 2025) and a "rock-star" by more than one client, illustrating his focus on delivering great client service. Working for both institutional landlords and corporate occupiers has enabled Donal to develop his approach taking account of all angles  in order to help achieve the best possible outcome for his clients using all the available tools from hard-fought litigation through to mediation.

Donal is also an avid sports fan and a season ticket holder for both Tottenham Hotspur and the Republic of Ireland.

Investor

Acted on behalf of the successful applicant in the case of UK Leasing Brighton Limited and others v Topland Neptune Limited and another [2015] EWHC 53 (Ch) (heard with Zinc Cobham 1 Limited and others v. Adda Hotels and others), the ground-breaking decision on the reversal of unlawful assignments and associated guarantees.

Corporate Occupier

Acted for a Private Equity fund in the renewal of its head-office lease, in a dispute worth over £7m Possession.

Asset Management

Working in tandem with property agents to manage shopping outlets, shopping centres and other property asset portfolios on behalf of investor clients.

Possession

Enforced a High Court Order for Possession, which resulted in the removal of 40 professional squatters from industrial premises owned by a Pension Fund, and required the co-ordination of 20 High Court Enforcement officers and 100 police officers.

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