Donna completed her professional examinations in 1994, before completing a further diploma in Landlord and Tenant Law in 1995. She attained fellowship as a Chartered Legal Executive in 1999.
Donna McCarthy
Partner Head of Housing Management & Property Litigation
Areas of Expertise
Donna is Head of Devonshires’ Housing Management and Property Litigation department.
She has over 30 years’ experience advising on all aspects of housing management law and practice, acting for Local Authorities, Registered Providers, care and support providers and private landlords in complex litigation, including matters in the higher courts and judicial review actions. She has particular expertise in advising and representing clients on Human Rights, Public Law and Equality Act challenges and following her successes in the cases of London and Quadrant HT v Patrick [2019] EWHC 1263 (QB) and Forward v Aldwyck Housing Group [2019] EWCA Civ 1334 is particularly noted for her expertise in dealing with claims relating to compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.
She regularly advises social landlords in respect of compliance with the Housing Ombudsman Code including advising in respect of grounds to review adverse determinations, both in respect of individual complaints and wider investigations under Paragraph 49 of the Scheme.
Drawing on her extensive experience advising housing and care and support providers she advises in respect of safeguarding; applications to the Court of Protection; mental capacity issues and multi-agency working.
She also has a thriving non contentious practice where she advises on complex housing management issues, reviews and drafts policy and procedure and tenancy agreements.
Experience
Donna started her legal career in the in-house legal team at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, combining part time studies with a mixed litigation practice including housing law. She qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 1994. Between 1994 and 1999 she worked as a specialist housing litigator, predominantly advising and representing tenants, with particular specialism representing those with mental capacity issues/other vulnerabilities.
Publications
Donna regularly contributes and writes articles, including our Housing Management Brief, as well as articles on upcoming legislative changes and sector updates.
Directories
Donna McCarthy is ranked as part of the Hall of Fame for Social Housing: Local Authorities And Registered Providers in the Legal 500.
She is also ranked in Band 2 in Social Housing in Chambers and Partners
Conferences
Donna regularly speaks at events and conferences as well as presenting webinars and providing training to clients on a broad range of subjects. Recent examples include:
- Devonshires Renters’ Rights webinar series
- Speaking at the SHiP Annual Conference
- Speaking at the Five Paper’s Spring Housing Conference
- Speaking at the HMPL Regional Conference in Birmingham
Education
Personal
Donna is a keen reader and particularly enjoys anything related to art and modern social history. She is an enthusiastic if unskilled cook, who enjoys getting to the gym when she isn’t feeding people.
Professional Membership
She is passionate about providing opportunities to those from diverse backgrounds to enter the legal profession and she volunteers via Inspiring the Future, presenting in schools and colleges on legal career options.
Donna is also a member of the steering group for the Women’s Housing Forum and a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).
Testimonials
Well regarded by her clients, recent feedback for Donna includes:
“Thank you for your excellent advice and Devonshires’ work on our cases over the years.”
“Thankfully we have one of the best in the trade – you!”
Legal 500"Donna McCarthy is our lead legal advisor in the team and her passion for social housing never seems to diminish! Her support is always unwavering as is her ability to consider every minute detail of cases presented to her."
Get in touch
020 7880 4349 |
07932 105 217 |
donna.mccarthy@devonshires.co.uk |
London Office
Devonshires Solicitors LLP 30 Finsbury Circus London EC2M 7DT |
020 7880 4428 |
matthew.stephen@devonshires.co.uk |