Tom is a criminal defence lawyer, acting in cases before the criminal courts. He joined Saunders Law in 2021 as a solicitor in the Crime and Regulatory department, having qualified in 2019.
Criminal defence
Tom is an experienced litigator in both the Magistrates’ and Crown Court, and has extensive experience dealing with cases involving:
- Financial crime, including FCA investigations, multi-handed, complex fraud and money-laundering trials;
- Serious sexual offences including rape and sexual assault;
- Serious drug offences; and,
- Domestic abuse cases, including controlling and coercive behaviour, assaults, and harassment.
He specialises in pre-charge engagement during police investigations, investigating and securing evidence for the defence case and making detailed representations to the police and CPS before charge.
Professional misconduct
Tom has a growing professional misconduct practice. He has acted for clients being investigated and prosecuted by (among others) the Solicitors Regulatory Authority, the General Dental Council, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council. He has also acted for students in academic / university misconduct investigations. Tom is particularly well placed to assist professionals in regulatory trouble because they have also been accused of a crime.
Frozen Account investigations
Tom frequently acts for clients in Frozen Account investigations and Account Forfeiture matters. This is a specialised area of law, with cases heard by the Magistrates’ Courts in the exercise of their civil jurisdiction. They often involve complex financial and factual evidence, requiring detailed analysis.
Notable cases
NCA v P – Acting for the respondent to a Cryptowallet Freezing Order.
GMP v L – Acting for the respondent to an application for an Account Forfeiture Order.
R v J – Defending allegations of money laundering. We successfully obtained the discharge of a Restraint Order in this matter, for which we were awarded our costs.
R v A – Defending a client accused of conspiracy to supply several kilos of Class A drugs. This was a case that arose from infiltration of the ‘EncroChat’ messaging system.
R v F – Defending allegations of rape and coercive and controlling behaviour.
GDC v N – Defending allegations of professional misconduct, including dishonesty, before the General Dental Council.
What clients say about Tom:
“Thank you for your support when no one else provided it. It meant so much to me.” (Application to have a caution removed.)
“Thank you so much for the amazing news and for supporting me all the way, I really appreciate your assistance”. (Client subject to a police investigation in which no further action was taken.)
“We are very pleased with the service and level of professionalism […] you helped us through a horrible experience.” (Frozen bank account client.)