Tom Phillips

Tom’s meticulous approach and the clarity of his advocacy is valued by both registrants and regulators alike.

Overview 

Tom’s regulatory practice spans both professional discipline and the regulation of corporate entities and their directors.

Experience 

Professional Discipline 

Tom has a breadth of experience in cases involving professional discipline. He frequently appears on both sides – presenting cases on behalf of regulators and defending professionals. He frequently deals with cases involving allegations of dishonesty, sexually motivated behaviour and deficient professional performance.

Tom is well suited to appearing before panels formed of both professional and lay members – he is quick to grasp the technical elements of his cases and is adept at presenting complex evidence in a compelling and readily digestible manner.

He is also well suited to cases involving a cross-over with criminal law. He is often instructed in criminal cases involving a professional defendant and his experience as a prosecutor means that he has worked closely with police officers throughout his career and is well-placed to defend them in misconduct proceedings.

Regulation of Corporate Entities

Tom is regularly instructed to advise and represent in cases involving regulatory breaches by corporate entities and their directors which may involve criminal liability. He is sought after in this area for the quality of his legal analysis and his strategic approach.  He can rapidly master the detail of technical legislation and/or regulations which enables him to give clear and pragmatic advice bearing in mind the overarching interests of his clients.

He has been appointed to the list of Specialist Regulatory Advocates which is used by the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency, the Office of Rail and Road, Natural Resources Wales, the Care and Quality Commission and the Office for Product Safety and Standards.

Notable Cases

LM (Police Misconduct, 2025)

Defending LM who faced allegations of misuse of police systems and sending unsolicited intimate images to a colleague.

MH (Police Misconduct, 2025)

Defending MH who faced allegations that he had ignored a report of domestic violence.

LF (Teacher’s Regulation Agency, 2025)

Presenting the case against LF in respect of a sexual relationship with a student.

Dr B (General Medical Council, 2024)

Presenting the case against Dr B in respect of a sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient.

B Ltd & B (Medicines & Healthcare Regulation Agency)

Prosecuting B Ltd and MB, a director of the corporate entity, in the Crown Court in respect of criminal offences arising out of breaches of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

DN (Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2022-24)

Defending DN, a nurse, facing eighteen charges including allegations of sexually motivated behaviour in respect of three patients and two colleagues and a charge of dishonesty. Only six of the eighteen charges were found proved.

W Ltd & JK (Trade Marks, 2023)

Defending W Ltd and JK, a director, in respect of offences contrary to the Trade Marks Act 1994.

DB & CB (HMO Investigation by Local Authority, 2023)

Advising two Landlords in respect of an investigation into offences in relation to the licensing of a house in multiple occupation (‘HMO’) contrary to the Housing Act 2004. The case was settled civilly with criminal prosecution avoided.

JK (Teacher’s Regulation Agency, 2023)

Presenting the case against JK who was alleged to have physically assaulted a student.

G Ltd (Gambling Commission, 2022)

Advising G Ltd, as a led junior, in respect of an investigation by the Gambling Commission.

M Ltd & MA (Fire Safety, 2020) 

Defending M Ltd and MA, a director of the corporate entity, in the Crown Court in respect of criminal offences arising out of breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Led by Adrian Darbishire KC.