Since obtaining tenancy in October 2020, Tom has rapidly built a busy and extensive practice across the full range of public law proceedings, private family law proceedings in relation to children and injunctive relief, and deprivation of liberty proceedings concerning children.
Known for his exceptional client care, sensible and pragmatic advice, excellent advocacy and always being willing to go above and beyond for his clients, Tom is often sought out to work with vulnerable clients in complex proceedings involving the most serious allegations. He has a particular interest and experience in working with those with acute mental health issues and intellectual and cognitive impairment.
Family Law
Tom acts for local authorities, birth parents, adoptive parents, children and guardians, and intervenors. He regularly appears at all levels of the Family Court, as well as in the High Court, representing the full spectrum of clients in multi-day and multi-week fact-finding hearings and rolled-up trials. This has included both as a led and unled junior, appearing on his own against King’s Counsel in both public and private child law proceedings. Tom also undertakes appellate work.
Tom has substantial experience in proceedings involving allegations of sexual abuse of and by both adults and children, rape, significant abuse and neglect including serious physical chastisement, parental alienation and serious domestic abuse, including where there has been a parental death. Tom also continues to develop his practice in both domestic and international adoption cases, and cases involving an international element including temporary or permanent relocation of children.
Tom has been recognised for 3 consecutive years as a Rising Star of the London Bar by Legal 500 for his children and domestic abuse work.
Prior to joining Chambers, Tom worked extensively in professional discipline, ultimately managing a team of in-house presenting officers and case managers, undertaking fitness-to-practise prosecutions for a national health and social care regulator. This experience gave Tom a strong foundation in analysing medical evidence, interpreting psychological and psychiatric reports, engaging with instructed experts and working sensitively with vulnerable parties and witnesses. With many of his cases involving social workers, Tom has a profound understanding of the challenges faced by practitioners, local authorities, and the families they serve.
Reported Cases
