Tom Wainwright

Practice

From the beginning of his career, Tom has practised solely in the field of criminal defence. Tom has acted as junior Counsel in several serious cases but predominantly appears in his own right. In particular, he is regularly instructed in cases involving young or vulnerable clients and has successfully represented a number of clients adjudged not fit to plead.

Tom also has a strong Court of Appeal practice and, as well as appearing there regularly, also advises pro bono in relation to the merits of renewed applications.

As well as a depth of experience in representing clients charged with violent, dishonesty, drugs and sexual offences, Tom has also appeared for clients charged with less common offences under Environmental, Health and Safety, Intellectual Property, Dangerous Dogs and Licensing laws.

Tom is rapidly gaining a formidable reputation as a passionate defender and a fearless advocate. In addition he is particularly interested in cases raising complex legal issues, and has won a number of cases on the basis of abuse of process and exclusion of evidence.

Background

After moving from South Yorkshire to take the Bar Vocational Course, Tom spent two years at an East London criminal solicitor's firm and was an accredited police station representative advising clients charged with offences from murder and aggravated burglary to drugs importation.

Cases

Regina v (Bassett) [2008] The Times, 18th June CA
Multiple counts of voyeurism. Seven counts dismissed at committal. One further count thrown out at trial.
Conviction on final count quashed by Court of Appeal after leave refused by Single Judge. Court of Appeal agreed with the defence interpretation of section 68 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Click here to read the news story

Regina v Jones [2007] EWCA Crim 3403
Indefinite sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection quashed and replaced with determinate sentence leading to appellant's immediate release.

Regina v Brewster, 03/03/08 - 27/03/08
Junior Counsel in multi-handed conspiracy to supply a firearm.

Regina v Coelho, Oxford CC
Appointed by the court to represent Defendant charged with sexual assault who had been adjudged unfit to plead.

Regina v Shah and others, Birmingham MC
Largest illegal dog-fighting case ever to take place in Western Europe.

Publications

'Blackstones Guide to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008'
OUP (To be published Jan 2009)

Author of Chapter 4 - 'New Criminal Offences'

'Abuse of Process' - Corker and Young, 3rd edition
Due out late 2008
Contributing author

Societies

Tom is a member of the Criminal Bar Association, South Eastern Circuit and Liberty

Year of Call

Education

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