Tom defends and prosecutes across the spectrum of criminal law, including drugs, weapons and violence.

Tom is also rapidly building his practice in the areas of fraud, cybercrime and proceeds of crime. He is a member of both the financial and cybercrime teams in Chambers, and has undertaken secondments with both the Serious Fraud Office and HMRC. Whilst at HMRC, Tom advised on matters such as money laundering, civil confiscation and covert surveillance.

In addition to crime, Tom accepts instructions in extradition, civil actions against the police, and trading standards. Tom regularly advises and trains local authorities on their disclosure policies and strategies.

Before coming to the Bar, Tom worked as a consultant for Horizon Institute in Somaliland where he conducted research on reforms to prisons, juvenile justice laws, and criminal procedure. Tom interned at the Trial Chamber for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and has worked with several NGOs in Kenya.

Key cases & testimonials

R v M and others (Operation Carter) [2023] – Led junior for the Prosecution (led by John Hallissey), instructed by East Midlands Complex Casework Unit. An ‘EncroChat’ case, investigated by East Midlands Special Operations Unit, concerning the multi-kilo supply of Class A supply by groups across the Midlands and North of England. The investigation produced a vast amount of evidence, with over 35 defendants named on the Indictment.

R v DG and others (Operation Limousine) [2023] – Led junior for the Prosecution (led by Wayne Cleaver), instructed by East of England Complex Casework Unit, in a six-week, five-defendant trial, concerning the sale and transfer of 10 firearms and over 100 rounds of ammunition, in addition to the multi-kilo supply of Class A and Class B drugs. The trial included several days of detailed forensic evidence on the issue of secondary transfer of DNA, and lengthy legal arguments regarding the disclosure of police intelligence material.

R v P [2023] – Led junior for the defence (led by Dean Armstrong KC), instructed on a private, direct access basis. A complex corporate blackmail case in which the Chairman and Head of Compliance on the board of a ‘green’ investment firm were accused of using the threat of whistleblowing to the Financial Conduct Authority to leverage a more advantageous severance package. The evidence involved complex issues of corporate governance, FCA regulation and company law. Tom drafted written representations on public interest, conducted disclosure arguments, and reviewed thousands of company emails to extract and compile relevant correspondence for use at trial.

R v L [2023]

Led junior for the Prosecution (led by Wayne Cleaver), instructed by East of England Complex Casework Unit, in a four-week trial involving multiple allegations of controlling/coercive behaviour and child cruelty by a mother towards her husband and children. The case included legal arguments on the issues of jurisdiction, abuse of process, bad character, and admissibility of Family Court material. Tom reviewed thousands of pages of phone downloads to extract relevant messages for use at trial.

R v M [2022]

Represented a defendant charged with dwelling burglary at Leicester Crown Court. Tom provided detailed written submissions to the Crown which highlighted evidential and legal flaws in the case, particularly with regards to the DNA evidence. The Crown consequently agreed to review the case and offered no evidence on the first day of trial.

R v G [2021] – Led junior for the defence (led by Alesdair King) in a seven-week case concerning historic sexual abuse and child rape. There were 10 complainants and over 40 counts on the Indictment. It has been described as the largest case of its type in the history of Bedfordshire Police, and was featured on Channel 4’s 24 Hours in Police Custody.
https://www.channel4.com/news/police-speaking-to-more-potential-victims-of-paedophile-carson-grimes

DPP v Ahmed [2021] – Tom acted for the Respondent (against treasury counsel instructed for the Appellant) in an appeal by way of case stated in which the High Court considered the meaning of “functions” of an emergency worker and, in particular, the limits of police powers. The judgment provided important guidance on the interpretation of the word “functions”, and the relevant test to be applied. The judgment can be found here.
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2021/2122.html

Tom is a talented junior. He has exceptional knowledge of financial crime and associated quasi-criminal proceedings.Legal 500 2024
The 36 Group prides itself on the excellent quality of advocates at all levels of call, but special mention needs to be made of Mr Tom Parker, who deserves every ounce of credit for the successful result secured for Mr A. Tom is an exceptional advocate and a real asset to Chambers. I cannot commend him enough for his dealings with the matter: his meticulous preparation, his engagement with the client, his manner in Court, his fluency in advocacy combining his tactical thinking and an exceptional cross examination style. His abilities far exceed his year of call, and I have no doubt that they were integral in securing the result. I know he has a successful career ahead of him at the criminal bar, and wish him all the best with it. I will certainly look forward to working with him, and even alongside him, in the future.Solicitor at Johnson Astills
Tom has done a very good job today! I am very impressed. Very sensible and resilient in getting a result that he got set in his mind. I am happy. He represents another client next Monday. 5 stars. Ruta Mikailaite, Solicitor at Taylor Rose MW

Further information

BPP University, London – Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding)

University of Cambridge, LLM (First)

University of Nottingham, LLB (Hons) (First)

Appointments & Memberships

Grade 3 CPS Prosecutor

Gray’s Inn

Young Legal Aid Lawyers

Criminal Bar Association

Awards and Scholarships

Arden Scholarship (Gray’s Inn – awarded to “pupils of exceptional merit”)

Ann Goddard Scholarship (Gray’s Inn)

Bedingfield Scholarship (Gray’s Inn)

Clive Parry Prize for International Law (University of Cambridge)

Redress Solutions Prize in Law (Queens’ College, Cambridge)

Sigmund Sternberg LLM Studentship (Queens’ College, Cambridge)

J.C. Smith & Punch Coomaraswamy Prize in the Law of Evidence (University of Nottingham)

Commendations

Third in year; top in Public International Law and International Humanitarian Law (University of Nottingham)

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