Thom has a busy public law practice in prison law (including appeals from the Parole Board), local government law, costs law and the Victim's Right of Review. He has experience of running both discrimination and human rights claims. He is regularly instructed in judicial review cases concerning false imprisonment, data rights, breaches of Article 5 and appeals against decisions of the Parole Board. Thom also has extensive experience of cases brought under the Licensing Act 2003.
Thom has been instructed in a number of cases involving the right to public protest, both advising and representing protestors, local authorities, the police, and the CPS. He has had articles published on the Article 11 right to freedom of assembly and the leading case of DPP v Ziegler.
Notable Cases
R (on the application of CC) v London Borough of Croydon (2022)
Represented the claimant prisoner who was serving a life sentence for rape and murder in a complex judicial review as to which of three local authorities were responsible for funding his ongoing needs under the Care Act 2014. The claim was settled following the grant of permission.
R (on the application of AA) v Secretary of State for Justice (2019)
Represented the claimant who was serving a life sentence for murder, in a successful application for judicial review of a decision of the prison governor to refuse to allow her to attend the funeral of her grandson.
R (on the application of Haigh) v City of Westminster Magistrates' Court [2017] EWHC 232 (Admin)
Led by Alun Jones KC in a judicial review of a decision of the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court to award costs of £230,446 against Mr Haigh, following the withdrawal of his private prosecution. Mr Haigh had brought the prosecution against his former employers for human trafficking and conspiracy to defraud. Mr Haigh was imprisoned in Dubai following allegations of a $5m fraud. The case received widespread media interest and was covered by the BBC, The Guardian and The Daily Mail.
R (on the application of Ashley) v Parole Board [2017] EWHC 3413
Judicial review of decision not to release a prisoner serving a life sentence. The court described Thom’s submissions as made “concisely, forcefully, and attractively”.
R (on the application of Usman) v Reading Magistrates' Court [2017] EWHC 2153 (Admin)
Judicial review of a decision concerning Article 6 and the procedural duties to ensure a fair trial.
R (on the application of Ram) v Director of Public Prosecutions [2016] EWHC 1426 (Admin)
Judicial review of the Victim's Right to Review scheme. The court praised Thom’s “careful and elegant submissions”.
R (on the application of Stubbs) v Parole Board [2016] EWHC 28 (Admin)
Judicial review of a refusal to transfer the claimant prisoner to open conditions, despite expert evidence recommending such a move.
R (on the application of Copp) v Basildon Crown Court [2016] EWHC 2416 (Admin)
Led by Alun Jones KC in a judicial review of a series of search warrants. The claim was brought on the basis that the warrants lacked specificity, were drafted too widely, and resulted in excessive search and seizure of property.