Donal Lawler
Donal Lawler is a highly respected specialist in general crime, fraud & financial crime and trading standards.
Ranked as a leading junior in crime by the legal directories, Donal has a broad practice encompassing both prosecution and defence work, where he is instructed as a leading and led junior, in a variety of serious criminal cases.
His expertise spans a wide range of criminal offenses, including murder, drug conspiracies, serious organized crime, sexual assault, firearms offenses, and serious violence. Donal is also well-versed in complex fraud cases, bribery and corruption, money laundering, and asset recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
Donal is known for his meticulous attention to detail, thorough preparation, and tenacity in every case he handles. He is particularly skilled in working with vulnerable clients, ensuring they receive the highest level of care and legal protection throughout the judicial process.
Before coming to the Bar, Donal had a successful career in Business and IT Consulting, a background that gives him a unique perspective and sharp problem-solving skills that he applies to his legal work.
Testimonials
Ranked In
Cases
Criminal Defence
R v R and others – Forced compulsory Labour. Described as one of the longest and most complex cases of its kind. Acted for the first defendant
R v G and others – Conspiracy to import firearms Instructed alone for the first Defendant, accused of importing and converting firearms to the West Midlands. Much of the defence relied on detailed analysis of cell-site evidence.
R v W – Murder – Defendant accused of murder having defended himself against a murderous assault. Case involved complex legal arguments and expert evidence relating to loss of control.
R v WT Death by dangerous driving – Represented a youth accused of causing the death of two people through his driving. Defendant was young with significant learning difficulties.
R v VD and others – Case involved the importation of over 100kg of cocaine into the United Kingdom and Netherlands, valued at £16 million and hidden in the rudder-stock area of tankers crossing from Colombia
R v O – Defendant accused of a series of gunpoint robberies
Criminal Prosecution
R v B – Multi-Handed Conspiracy to supply Heroin and Cocaine
Fraud & Financial Crime
R v M and others – Multi-handed conspiracy to defraud
R v C – Defendant accused of defrauding a number of elderly and vulnerable complainants.
Trading Standards
Donal has been instructed to represent numerous defendants accused of overcharging for work, carrying out unnecessary work or substandard work. All cases involve substantial cross-examination of expert witnesses.
Professional Memberships
- Criminal Bar Association
- South Eastern Circuit
- Grade 2 CPS Counsel
Awards, Qualifications & Other
- Contributing Editor, Criminal Law Weekly
- Chapter Editor, Archbold’s Criminal Practice
- Former Secretary of the Criminal Bar Association
Direct Access
Donal Lawler is qualified to accept instructions directly from clients and is registered under the Bar Council’s Public Access Scheme, meaning that members of the public who seek specialist advice can come directly to him. In addition, he welcomes instructions from solicitors, in-house law departments, qualified foreign lawyers, and clients licensed by the Bar Council to give instructions directly to barristers under the Bar Council’s Licensed Access Scheme. For more information please visit our Direct Access page here.