Barry Donnelly

Partner

About

Barry has almost 40 years' experience in international disputes and investigations, involving banking, finance, financial services, fund and asset management, trusts, insolvency, fraud and financial crime.

Barry advises clients in large scale financial litigation as well as internal and regulatory investigations and proceedings. He has also acted as a Skilled Person in connection with numerous business critical regulatory reviews affecting financial institutions in both the UK and overseas.

Barry's representation of clients has included often complex, multi-jurisdiction disputes and investigations involving the co-ordination of proceedings, or the obtaining of evidence, abroad, as well as information requests from international courts, regulators and government agencies.

Experience

  • Advising the British Bankers' Association and BBA LIBOR Limited since 2010 in relation to all investigations and litigation in the UK and the US in connection with the alleged manipulation of the US dollar LIBOR interest rate benchmark during the global financial crisis.
  • Advising Firth Rixson in the landmark litigation with the administrators of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) concerning the payment obligations and events of default provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement, both at trial and in the Court of Appeal.
  • Representing an Overseas Government in a $6.5bn arbitration involving finance raised by the Government's sovereign wealth fund through corporate bond issues.
  • Taberna Europe CDO II plc v Roskilde Bank (Selskabet): representing Roskilde Bank of Denmark in its successful defence of this landmark mis-selling (subordinated debt) claim, both at trial and in the Court of Appeal.
Barry Donnelly is extremely experienced and tough while remaining courteous and professional throughout. A class act.

The UK Legal 500 2023

Barry Donnelly is an exceptionally experienced and talented lawyer. Clients love him and he gets results.

The UK Legal 500 2023

Barry Donnelly has unparalleled experience and expertise in this area and is trusted by the most significant institutional clients to deal with their most complex and sensitive matters. He is first class.

The UK Legal 500 2022

Barry Donnelly is hands down excellent. Sharp as a tack, smart, personable and practical.

The UK Legal 500 2022

Barry Donnelly is extremely knowledgable, charming, patient and firm where he needs to be.

The UK Legal 500 2022

The "excellent" Barry Donnelly is accomplished at acting for both domestic and international banks on high-value banking disputes. He also provides advice during regulatory investigations and enforcement actions.

Chambers UK 2020

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