Tom defends and prosecutes across the spectrum of criminal law. He is regularly instructed on cases beyond his year of call, including in matters of high-value fraud, organised crime, and serious violence. He is listed as a “Rising Star” (Legal 500, 2024).

His attention to detail and confidence in court makes him a sought-after junior in complex trials, having recently been led in cases of corporate blackmail, attempted murder, and firearms supply.

Tom has particular expertise in fraud, cybercrime, and proceeds of crime. He has undertaken secondments with the Serious Fraud Office and HMRC and has since been instructed in civil confiscation proceedings. Tom has experience defending high net-worth individuals; his recent clients include a solicitor in an investment firm, and a founder of a medical recruitment company.

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 modern slavery procedures.

Before coming to the Bar, Tom worked for several NGOs in East Africa, including as a consultant for Horizon Institute in Somaliland where he conducted research on reforms to prisons, juvenile justice laws, and criminal procedure.

CPS Panel appointments

General Crime Level 3

Key cases & testimonials

R v J [2024] – Privately instructed to defend a founder and CEO of several medical recruitment firms, accused of fraud and money laundering offences. The Crown alleged that the defendant had defrauded an investor of almost £70,000. Following detailed cross-examination of the Crown’s witnesses, the Crown reviewed the case and concluded there was no longer a reasonable prospect of conviction. The case was stopped and the defendant was acquitted.

R v H [2023] – Represented a defendant charged with supply of Class A drugs. The evidence against the defendant consisted of covert recordings by undercover officers. Tom successfully argued at the close of the Crown’s case that the video identification evidence was too weak. The case was withdrawn from the jury and the defendant acquitted.

R v T and T [2023] – Successful prosecution of two defendants for fraud by abuse of position. The defendants were alleged to have defrauded Suffolk County Council of over £200,000, money intended for the care of their disabled son. The 5-week trial involved extensive examination of banking material and social care records. At the conclusion of the trial the judge remarked that Tom’s presentation of the case had been “exemplary”.

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
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. Solicitor at Johnson Astills
The way that Mr Parker prosecuted this case was really exemplary. Judge, at the conclusion of a 4-week fraud trial

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)