Barry Buffay

Duncan Holmes is a highly experienced legal professional with a career encompassing roles as a solicitor, advocate, author, and expert witness. He began his legal journey with Slade Manwaring & Co in 1983, where he established the firm's family law practice and became an equity partner. In 2019, he co-founded Holmes Donnelly & Co Solicitors. Duncan has been actively involved with the Law Society, serving on the Family Law Committee, acting as an investigator for s.55 (LPA) matters, and contributing to the Legal Aid Review Committee in Family Law. As an accredited specialist in Family Law since 1983, he has reviewed determinations on solicitor complaints for the Office of Legal Services Commissioner and provided expert opinion evidence in various courts. Duncan was appointed as a separate representative in children's cases, now known as an Independent Children's Lawyer, in 1994. His significant experience has been pivotal in numerous complex parenting matters. Besides his practice, Duncan has contributed to legal publications with LexisNexis since the mid-1980s and has been an editor and head noter for their Family Law and Torts case books. He frequently lectures and chairs Legal Education Programs and Continuing Legal Education seminars, sharing his expertise with those undertaking the Family Law Specialist Accreditation program at the College of Law.