Tom is regularly instructed in complex public inquiries and to represent bereaved families in Article 2 inquests, with a particular focus on deaths in state custody, mental health and psychiatric detention, and following police contact. Tom has acted in a number of high profile cases including the East London inquests, Hillsborough inquests and Birmingham Pub Bombings (1974) inquests.

Tom also specialises in civil claims and public law proceedings arising out inquests and inquiries, and regularly settles Human Rights Act, Fatal Accidents Act and other claims.

In 2019 Tom was appointed as H.M. Assistant Coroner for the Luton and Bedfordshire area.

Tom is ranked as one of the top junior barristers in this area of work, is an active member of the INQUEST Lawyers Group, is a frequent contributor to Inquest Law and Legal Action and undertakes training on coronial law.

Notable cases

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry
Instructed as lead junior Counsel to the Inquiry (CTI) in the Inquiry Module investigating and making recommendations regarding the procurement and distribution of key healthcare related equipment and supplies, including PPE, ventilators and oxygen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Lampard Inquiry
Junior counsel to a number of families in the independent statutory inquiry investigating the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex, having represented a number of bereaved families in Essex – including, amongst others, the families of Christopher Nota, Morgan-Rose Hart, Joshua Leader and David Morgan. 

East London Inquests
Junior counsel representing the families of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor who were murdered by serial killer Stephen Port between 2014 and 2015. The inquest included landmark examination of the role of homophobia in policing, and concluded that serious investigative and operational failings by the Metropolitan Police contributed to the deaths of the four young men. 

Aisha Cleary Inquest
Junior counsel representing the mother of Aisha Cleary, who gave birth alone in her cell and whose new-born baby died whilst an 18-year-old prisoner in Europe's largest women's prison, HMP Bronzefield. The case resulted in the landmark categorisation of all pregnancies in prison as “high-risk”.

Hillsborough Inquests
Instructed as junior counsel to ten of the bereaved families in the fresh inquests arising out of the Hillsborough stadium disaster. Following the longest-running inquests in British legal history, the jury concluded that the ninety-six men, women and children who lost their lives on 15 April 1989 were unlawfully killed.

Birmingham Pub Bombings (1974) Inquests
Junior counsel to a number of the families who lost loved ones in the 1974 IRA bombing of two pubs in Birmingham which killed 21 people and injured 220.  

Sean Rigg Inquest
As junior counsel to Leslie Thomas QC, represented Junior counsel to the family of Sean Rigg in an eight-week death in custody inquest which before a jury at Southwark Coroners Court, which gave rise to a verdict which was highly critical of the care, treatment and restraint of a mentally ill man by the Metropolitan Police and NHS. The case led to the first independent inquiry by the (then) IPCC into one of its own investigations, and has been called “a watershed moment for the police service and the IPCC”. The case has since informed the government’s Independent Review into Deaths in Custody, led to the introduction of CCTV cameras in police vans, and led to the prosecution of a police officer for perjury in relation to evidence given during the inquest.

The Undercover Policing Inquiry
Represented a group of current and former Labour party elected representatives, including senior Parliamentarians and a former London Mayor, in the public inquiry into undercover policing operations which targeted political and social justice campaigns.

Natasha Abrahart Inquest
Represented the family of a vulnerable young woman who took her own life while a student at Bristol University, leading to a conclusion of neglect regarding her mental health care and treatment. The case contributed to new guidance on the rights of disabled students, and was the subject of a BBC documentary.

Tom is regularly instructed to represent claimants in the full spectrum of civil actions against the police, prisons and other public authorities, including tort and personal injury claims, human rights and data privacy. He is ranked in Band 1 in this area in both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.

Tom is an active member of the Police Action Lawyers Group, and is a contributing author to the 5^th Edition of Police Misconduct (Legal Action Group, 2020). 

Tom has a busy practice acting and advising in the Court of Protection. He regularly accepts instructions from the Official Solicitor, family members and Local Authorities in respect of property and affairs, health and welfare and deprivation of liberty matters, in which Tom has experience in complex cases.

Tom is an Associate Lecturer in the postgraduate Media Law and Ethics course at Goldsmiths College, University of London at the Department of Media and Communications.

Tom regularly gives pre-publication legal advice at the Guardian and Observer newspapers, and is developing a practice in the areas of libel, data protection, privacy and breach of confidence, as well as in reporting restrictions and anonymity orders.

Tom represents prisoners in human rights claims and judicial review proceedings against the Parole Board and Ministry of Justice – including a recently successful claim against a Prison Governor’s failure to organise releases on temporary licence.

Tom has also represented prisoners in adjudication and other hearings and before the Parole Board.

Tom has a particular interest in protest and civil liberties. Tom has defended a wide range of individuals and groups in criminal proceedings following in public demonstrations, including a group of the Dale Farm protesters and legal observers – helping to ensure their prosecutions were dropped – and in high-profile protests against G4S. Tom also regularly acts in civil proceedings involving protesters. 

Before coming to the Bar, Tom spent three months with Malawi’s Legal Aid Department (supported by the Centre for Capital Punishment Studies), helping to defend people accused of capital crimes. Tom also co-founded a project training and supporting Malawian law students to prepare bail applications and mitigation for prisoners on death row – many of whom have spent years in pre-trial detention.

Tom was in Malawi during the widespread 2011 political protest against the government there, and worked with the Bar Human Rights Committee in legal and human rights observations there.

Tom has defended in trials (and a wide range of other hearings) in the Crown Court, as well as the Magistrates’ and Youth Courts (where Tom has dealt with complex issues involving capacity and fair participation).

Tom has defended and advised requested persons at all stages of the extradition process, from first appearances through to final hearings and appeals in the High Court, in cases involving a wide range of human rights and public law issues.

Tom is passionate about access to justice, and is a Trustee at Hackney Community Law Centre.

He was a legal adviser at Toynbee Hall's Free Legal Advice Centre in London's East End for a number of years, giving free legal advice regarding police complaints, claims before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and other social welfare law. Between 2009-10 Tom was a residential volunteer, living at the Toynbee Hall settlement and working in free legal advice and services for young people, for which he was Highly Commended in the Attorney-General's Pro Bono Awards 2010.