• "He has a lovely manner in front of a coroner and a jury. He's very persuasive and brings logical arguments"  Chambers UK 2024
  • "Thomas's absolutely lovely demeanour and ability to deal with both criminal and regulatory law is a really important skill and differentiates him from his peers."  Chambers UK 2024

  • "He is a class act - he's in control of these cases, all over the documents and manages clients in a reassuring manner." Chambers UK 2024

  • "He has an exceptional manner in court"  Legal 500 2024
 

Thomas Coke-Smyth

  • A strong junior specialising in complex crime, professional discipline, inquests, and inquiries. 

    Corporate & Financial Crime

    Thomas masters complex detail easily and is meticulous in his preparation. A junior barrister with a wealth of experience across the field of corporate and financial crime and regulation. 

    Crime

    An accomplished junior criminal advocate appearing for both the prosecution and the defence as led and sole counsel in cases involving the full range of criminal offences. He has particular expertise where crime meets with regulatory or public law such as inquests or public inquiries. 

    Regulatory

    Thomas has built an enviable practice in professional discipline with a particular strength in healthcare regulatory work and experience in heavyweight police disciplinary matters. He is now amongst the most experienced juniors of his call in this area.

    Public Law

    From a foundation of high-profile inquests representing the families of deceased servicemen in Afghanistan and the family of PC Palmer at the Westminster Bridge Inquest, he is now also regularly instructed in cases involving police and healthcare professionals. He acts for both families and interested persons.  

    Other Experience

    Thomas served for four years in the British Army between 2005-09 when, following training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he was commissioned as an officer into the Parachute Regiment. He served as a platoon commander on Operation Herrick 8 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. At Sandhurst he was awarded the Sheikh Al Sabah Prize for overall best performance in Defence and International Affairs. 

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2024: Professional Discipline - Band 5; Inquests & Public Inquiries - Band 3

    Legal 500 2024: Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law - Tier 4, Inquests & Public Inquiries Tier 5

    Chambers UK 2023: Professional Discipline - Band 5; Inquests & Public Inquiries - Band 3

    Chambers UK 2022: Professional Discipline - Band 5; Inquests & Public Inquiries - Band 3

    Legal 500 2022: Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law - Tier 4

    ‘He has an exceptional manner in court.’ Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2024)

    "He has a lovely manner in front of a coroner and a jury. He's very persuasive and brings logical arguments. There were various other interested parties all involved in proceedings which he had to deal with in turn, and he was able to deal with all these complex issues."  Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2024)

    "Thomas's absolutely lovely demeanour and ability to deal with both criminal and regulatory law is a really important skill and differentiates him from his peers." Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2024)

    "He is a class act - he's in control of these cases, all over the documents and manages clients in a reassuring manner." Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2024)

    'A serious advocate who anticipates points well.' Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2023)

    'He gets excellent results.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2023)

    'An effective advocate who is well liked by panels.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2022)

    'He managed to get the coroner to look at things more widely than expected and really instilled a lot of confidence in the family.' Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2022)

    'A strong, confident advocate with sound judgement and is completely committed to the client. He has very good interpersonal skills and is able to act in serious regulatory cases where criminal investigation or an inquest might also arise.' Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory (2022)

    'He provides pragmatic advice with minimal fuss: an effective advocate, well-liked by panels and a very able junior who understands the needs of his clients.' Legal 500: Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law (2021)

    Professional Memberships

    • CPS Advocate Panel - Grade 4
    • Association of Military Court Advocates
    • Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers
    • Criminal Bar Association
    • Young Fraud Lawyers Association (committee member)

    Education 

    • 2012 – Inner Temple Sweet & Maxwell Pupillage Award
    • Bar Professional Training Course – Outstanding
    • Graduate Diploma in Law – Distinction
    • 2006 – prize for best performance in Defence and International Affairs
    • Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
    • BA (Hons) History, St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford – Class 2:I

       

    Recent Cases

    News

    Articles

  • Corporate and Financial Crime

    A junior barrister with a wealth of experience in numerous capacities across the field of corporate and financial crime and regulation.

    Overview

    He masters complex detail easily and is meticulous in his preparation. A junior barrister with a wealth of experience across the field of corporate and financial crime and regulation. 

    Experience

    Experience in defending and prosecuting on behalf of the FCA. He has a wide experience of corporate and financial crime including advising both the FCA and private banks in respect of Anti Money Laundering procedures and the risk of financial crime. He has also acted as an appointment investigator for the FCA. 

    Notable Cases

    FCA v Bank (2015)
    International financial-regulatory remediation project across assorted countries, including secrecy jurisdictions, on behalf of a prominent international bank.

    Recent Cases

  • A junior with experience of a wide range of criminal offences, Tom Coke-Smyth is as impressive in his preparation as he is in court.

    Overview

    An accomplished junior criminal advocate appearing for both the prosecution and the defence as led and sole counsel in cases involving the full range of criminal offences. He has particular expertise where crime meets with regulatory or public law such as inquests or public inquiries. 

    Experience

    Appointed at Level 3 of the CPS Specialist Panels in: Serious Crime, Fraud and Counterterrorism. Recent defence experience includes defending whilst led by Queen's Counsel in criminal proceedings against a leading healthcare professional where the case was stayed as an abuse of process. He regularly prosecutes and defends in cases involving complex and sophisticated organised criminal groups. 

    Notable Cases

    R v H (2019-2021)
    Junior led by Silk in misconduct and criminal proceedings against a leading Speech and Language Therapist accused of perverting the course of justice by falsifying communication from patients alleged to lack capacity where the case was stayed as an abuse of process.

    R v Miguez and others (2019 - ongoing)
    Junior led by Silk in case of conspiracy to supply drugs. Management of disclosure and questions of PII in multi-defendant investigation across 3 trials in order to safeguard ongoing investigations.

    R v Patterson and Pollard (2018-2019)
    Disclosure counsel in case of misconduct in public office against two police officers as a result of failing to investigate historical sexual allegations. Application of AG’s guidelines on digital disclosure to large volume of electronic material in time critical review of disclosure spanning a number of interlinked police misconduct investigations.

    R v Janulevicius & Others (2015)
    Successful prosecution for conspiracy to defraud by false representation by motorcycle ringing.

    R v D (2014)
    Defence in confiscation where successfully argued against prosecution case that defendant had an equitable interest in the family home.

    R v G (2014)
    Junior defence counsel in multi-million-pound conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

    R v Goodman and others (2014)
    Assisted in the defence of Clive Goodman, former editor of News of the World, in the phone hacking trial.

    Harrow Borough Council v Undre (2013)
    Successful prosecution under the Welfare of Farmed Animal Animals (England) Regulations 2007.

    R v AH (2012)
    Represented a teenager accused of being part of a gang and being party to a conspiracy to commit violent disorder. Admission of bad character evidence of gang membership was successfully opposed and AH was acquitted following a submission of no case to answer.

    Recent Cases

    News

    Articles

  • Tom Coke-Smyth has experience of professional regulation beyond his years.  He is frequently sought out by the most prominent regulators to try their cases.

    Overview

    Thomas has built an enviable practice in professional discipline with a particular strength in healthcare regulatory work and experience in heavyweight police disciplinary matters. He is now amongst the most experienced juniors of his call in this area. 

    Experience

    He is a sought-after junior who has established a reputation for thoroughness, attention to detail and an ability to present complex cases on behalf of regulators against experienced Queen's Counsel and junior counsel rated as leaders in this field. 

    He has a proven track record of cross examining in respect of, and managing, complex medical evidence. 

    Notable Cases

    GMC v Zia (MPTS 2022-ongoing)
    Representing the GMC in proceedings against a consultant surgeon in respect of failures to diagnose breast cancer, dangerous surgical procedures and failure to examine/treat a patient who later died of sepsis.

    Bedfordshire Police Gross Misconduct Proceedings v APS Short & Others (2020)
    Led junior counsel for 6 police officers accused of gross misconduct arising from the death in custody of Leon Briggs. Proceedings were terminated as a result of successful legal representations to the Appropriate Authority and IOPC in respect of disclosure failures and abuse of process. Proceedings followed a lengthy IOPC criminal investigation. Inquest proceedings awaited.

    GMC v Dr Andelic (MPTS 2018-2019)
    Representing the GMC in proceedings against doctor accused of inappropriate and dishonest prescribing of opiates resulting from criminal investigation.

    GMCv Leaper (2016)
    Represented the GMC against a doctor convicted of fraudulently evading parking tickets by the use of forged letters.

    GDC v S (2015)
    Represented the GDC in proceedings against a dentist accused of failing to diagnose a malignant ulcer.

    NMC v B (2014)
    Represented the Nursing and Midwifery Council against a registrant charged with multiple counts of medical administration errors and dishonest concealment of these.

    Mid Staffordshire Public Inquiry (2013)
    Seconded to the Department of Health for a number of months as a junior member of the Inquiry team to assist in the preparation of the report arising from the Public Inquiry into the failure to regulate the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2024: Professional Discipline - Band 5

    Legal 500 2024: Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law - Tier 4

    Chambers UK 2023: Professional Discipline - Band 5

    Chambers UK 2022: Professional Discipline - Band 5

    Legal 500 2022: Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law - Tier 4

    'He gets excellent results.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2023)

    'An effective advocate who is well liked by panels.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2022)

    'A strong, confident advocate with sound judgement and is completely committed to the client. He has very good interpersonal skills and is able to act in serious regulatory cases where criminal investigation or an inquest might also arise.' Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory (2022)

    'He provides pragmatic advice with minimal fuss: an effective advocate, well-liked by panels and a very able junior who understand the needs of his clients.' Legal 500 Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law

    Recent Cases

    • Inquest into the death of Thomas Orchard. Susannah Stevens led Thomas Coke-Smyth representing four Devon and Cornwall police Response Officers who were involved in the arrest and detention of Thomas Orchard, prior to his death. Mr Orchard died in hospital...

    • Thomas Coke-Smyth has been instructed to represent a leading Speech and Language Therapist in criminal and disciplinary proceedings.It is alleged that Z fabricated communication with six patients who were unable to communicate as presented by her and that...

    • Susannah Stevens and Thomas Coke-Smyth represented three police officers accused of inappropriate conduct in the treatment of Thomas Orchard who died following a restraint with an emergency restraint belt in Exeter custody in 2012. Counsel successfully ar...

    • Thomas Coke-Smyth represented the GMC in a complex and lengthy case against an experienced GP alleged to have prescribed opiates to a vulnerable patient over a number of months and to have then dishonestly deleted records of this. 32 separate allegations ...

    • Thomas Coke-Smyth represented the General Chiropractic Council in a case against a chiropractor in respect of failures arising from a serious clinical incited during which the patient had to be removed from the practice by ambulance following an adverse r...

    • Thomas Coke-Smyth represented the General Chiropractic Council (‘GCC’) in a case against a chiropractor for failing to inform the GCC of a criminal conviction.The dishonesty allegations were made out and the chiropractor suspended. The finding...

    News

    Articles

  • Inquests, Inquiries and Public Law

    Drawing on his work in other fields and his experience as a former army officer, Tom Coke-Smyth has developed an impressive practice in inquiries and inquests; he impresses with his knowledge, empathy and sincere and driven approach.

    Overview

    From a foundation of high-profile inquests representing the families of deceased servicemen in Afghanistan and the family of PC Palmer at the Westminster Bridge Inquest, he is now also regularly instructed in cases involving police and healthcare professionals. He acts for both families and interested persons. 

    Experience

    He has a wide range of experience in Article 2 inquests where there is a focus on examining systemic and operational failings on the part of the state. He brings considerable experience frm his professional discipline practice where he frequently cross examines medical professionals and expert witnesses. He has appeared in high profile and complex inquests involving the military and often acts as sole junior counsel against those represented by Queen's Counsel. He also acts in cases involving allegations of police misconduct and deaths in custody. 

    Notable Cases

    Yousek Makki (2021)
    Led counsel representing Adam Chowdhary in the inquest into the death of Yousef Makki who died as a result of a stabbing. This followed the acquittal of Chowdhary in a criminal trial for perverting the course of justice.

    Samantha Gould (2021)
    Representing the GP's surgery responsible for providing care and prescriptions in the lead up to Sam Gould's suicide in the Article 2 inquest examining systemic failings on the part of the police, her school and health services responsible for her care.

    Ferne Campbell (2020-2021)
    Representing Helicopter Emergency Medical service consultant responsible for roadside care of Ferne Campbell who died as a result of a road traffic collision.

    James Manning (2020-2021)
    Representing the mother of James Manning, a toddler who died following choking at Butlins following delays to ambulance arrival and in treating an underlying condition of enlarged tonsils and history of choking.

    Shante Turay-Thomas (2019-2020)
    Representing NHS Digital in Article 2 inquest concerning the choking to death of a teenager as a result of anaphylaxis and delays in ambulance concerning the operation of NHS 111.

    Inquest into the Westminster terrorist attack (2018)
    Susannah Stevens and Tom Coke-Smyth represented the parents and siblings of PC Keith Palmer.
     

    Inquest into the deaths of Corporal Hatfield & Corporal Neilson (2018)
    Represented Cpl Hatfield’s fiancée, Jill McBride and Abi Hatfield, his separated wife, following his death in an explosion in a Challenger 2 tank at the Castlemartin firing ranges in Pembrokeshire, in June 2017. 

    LCpl Brynin (2017)
    Representing the family of LCpl Brynin in the Article 2 inquest into his death as a result of shot fired by a British soldier. Successful argument of adjournment for consideration of unlawful killing based upon legal argument over honest belief in self-defence.

     

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2024: Inquests & Public Inquiries - Band 3

    Legal 500 2024: Inquests & Public Inquiries Tier 5

    Chambers UK 2023: Inquests & Public Inquiries - Band 3

    Chambers UK 2022: Inquests & Public Inquiries - Band 3

    'A serious advocate who anticipates points well.' Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2023)

    'He managed to get the coroner to look at things more widely than expected and really instilled a lot of confidence in the family.' Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2022)

    Recent Cases

    News

    Articles

    • A Podcast: A Public Inquiry into Covid-19 - a Series of Discussions Hosted by QEBHW Part 1: The NHS - Might the Hand-clapping Turn to Finger-pointing?

      The government has now committed to a full statutory public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic.  This is the first of a series of podcasts by QEB Hollis Whiteman looking at the topic of a public inquiry into Covid -19 from a variety of perspectives.We sta...

    • Inquests: The impact of COVID-19, work related deaths and Article 2 ECHR

      Deaths from COVID-19 are likely to give rise to the requirement to hold inquests in a wide variety of cases. This will likely pose a substantial challenge to coroners in both the timing and scope of these inquests, particularly where deaths are also linke...

    • War & Peace

      Philip Evans QC and Tom Coke-Smyth consider the application of the rule of law to the military in an article in the New Law Journal

      View Article