JUNIOR PROFILE
Lawrence McDonald

Lawrence McDonald

UK Bar 2026

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Ranked in 2 practice areas

About

Provided by Exchange Chambers

Practice Areas

Lawrence is the Head of Exchange Chambers’ Property Team. He has been a specialist property litigator for the whole of his career. He acts for companies, individuals, office holders and public bodies before courts and tribunals of all levels in England and Wales. Lawrence has also appeared in the courts of the Isle of Man.

In addition to advocacy before the courts and tribunals, Lawrence regularly represents clients in mediation and has successfully mediated dozens of cases. He is himself a qualified mediator and he also sits as a Recorder hearing civil, criminal and Chancery cases.

Lawrence acts in disputes regarding all areas of property law including development agreements, boundaries, easements, prescriptive rights, adverse possession, restrictive covenants, specific performance, rectification, trespass and rights to light.

His landlord and tenant experience includes disputes about leasehold covenants, forfeiture and relief from forfeiture, dilapidations, possession claims, the termination and renewal of business tenancies, break clauses, option agreements.

In residential leasehold cases, Lawrence regularly deals with service charge disputes, right to manage, enfranchisement and rights of pre-emption.

Lawrence also specialises in telecoms cases under the Electronic Communications Code where he advises and appears in the Tribunals.

Career

Called 1996

Admitted as a solicitor in 2000 and practised as a property litigator at City firms and then as a partner in a national firm before returning to the Bar.

University College London, LL.B.(Hons)

Professional Memberships

Property Bar Association, Chancery Bar Association, Northern Business and Property Bar Association (Committee member).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Real Estate Litigation - Northern (Bar)

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial

Lawrence McDonald is a former solicitor and an accomplished real estate litigator. He has acted in easement disputes, service charge matters and restrictive covenant cases. He further advises on forfeiture claims and easements.

Commercial Dispute Resolution - Northern (Bar)

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Lawrence McDonald is noted for his expertise in real estate disputes, demonstrating further proficiency in areas including contracts, breach of fiduciary duty and trusts.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Lawrence McDonald's knowledge is second to none. From a negotiation point of view he is brilliant.

    Real Estate LitigationUK Bar
  • Lawrence McDonald is very well versed in dealing with matters in the North of England. It also helps that he sits as a judge.

    Real Estate LitigationUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Exchange Chambers (107)

All Circuits

North Eastern (Bar)

Northern (Bar)

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