Tom Bedford

Tom defends professionals, but especially solicitors, from claims, as well as investigations and prosecutions brought by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

His practice is varied, and he has defended national firms as well as smaller practices from claims arising across most practice areas. He has particular experience of group actions, including claims arising from investment schemes.

He has also defended lawyers and firms from SRA investigations and referrals to the SDT. These cases often involve sensitive, health-related issues.

He also advises insurers on policy coverage issues.

During Tom's career, he has completed two secondments with SRA participating insurers. He also co-founded the insurance mentoring scheme, "Mentoring the Market". He regularly writes about and delivers talks on issues impacting the legal profession.

Experience

• Successfully defending a partner in a large law firm from allegations of breaches of the Solicitors' Accounts Rules.

• Acting in claims arising from the conduct of a dishonest solicitor, whilst investigating that misconduct and taking recovery action, including through successful Norwich Pharmacal, Freezing Injunction and committal applications.

• Defending a number of fraudulent sale transactions akin to Dreamvar, acting for vendor/sub-vendor/purchasers' solicitors.

• Successfully defending a trainee solicitor accused of dishonestly backdating documents.

• Defending numerous claims and regulatory investigations arising from so-called "buyer-funded developments" and defending allegations relating to alleged unregulated collective investment schemes.

• Acting in the defence of complex property-related claims against solicitors relating to agricultural land, rights of way and contaminated land.

• Defending claims brought by disappointed beneficiaries and relating to the administration of estates.

• Successfully defending matrimonial lawyers from claims relating to alleged undersettlement of ancillary relief proceedings, including in relation to Pension Sharing Orders.

• Advising law firms in relation to responding to cyber threats and defending claims arising from data and cyber breaches.

• Defeating allegations of dishonesty made by the SRA against solicitors in a variety of contexts, including in relation to the alleged misuse of client money.