Practice Areas
Civil: Tom’s civil practice principally relates to claims brought against public bodies and includes alleged mistreatment in prisons, false imprisonment and failures in social services functions. He acted for the local authorities in HXA v Surrey County Council; YXA v Wolverhampton County Council [2023] UKSC 52.
Public: In 2022, Tom was appointed to the Attorney General’s civil panel of counsel (c-panel). He recently appeared in Re G [2023] EWHC 450 (Fam), setting out guidance for disclosure within family proceedings where there are parallel asylum proceedings.
COP: Tom is instructed in disputes relating to medical treatment, residence, care and contact. He recently appeared in Health Body A v JW and another [2024] EWCOP 40
Children: Tom’s family practice relates to cases involving children. He represented the health board in A Health Board v AZ and Ors [2023] EWHC 2517 regarding a pregnant 11-year-old girl’s best interests to undergo a termination.
Inquests: Tom is regularly instructed by government departments, local authorities, health bodies, the police and private individuals in inquests. He has experience in healthcare, mental health provision, cases involving article 2 and jury inquests.
Career
Tom was called to the bar in 2015. Prior to joining Deka Chambers, Tom worked on the review of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards for the Law Commission of England and Wales. In 2019, he was seconded to the Welsh Government. Tom frequently gives lectures and training.
Professional Memberships
Administrative Law Bar Association
Court of Protection Practitioners Association
Family Law Bar Association
Trustee, Lord Edmund Davies Legal Education Trust
