Tom Wainwright

Year of Call: 2003

"Tom is absolutely brilliant, charming with the judge and works extremely hard. He has a strategic approach in advance of the trial."

Chambers UK, 2024 (Protest Law, Band 1)

"Tom is excellent; a leader in protest law."

Chambers UK, 2024 (Protest Law, Band 1)

"Tom is very hardworking and personable. He is silk material and is one of the best leading juniors in his field."

Legal 500, 2024 (Crime)

"Tom is an intelligent and sharp barrister able to analyse a case and identify the issues to challenge tactically. He is very astute and comprehensive in his work."

Legal 500, 2024 (Fraud)

"Tom is a top protest advocate who has excellent knowledge of the law and is not afraid to make difficult legal arguments."

Chambers UK, 2023 (Protest Law, Band 1)

"Vastly experienced, he is always on top of the law and knows his material inside out from an early stage."

Chambers UK, 2023 (Crime)

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Tom has a formidable reputation as a passionate defender and a powerful advocate. A fearless, down-to-earth cross-examiner with a profound understanding of the criminal law and where it can be challenged and changed.

He has appeared in some of the most high-profile cases of recent years including the Colston statue topplers, the Hatton Garden burglary, the ‘Stansted 15’ protestors, representing the father of Jack Letts in his trial for funding terrorism and a number of large-scale international frauds. Tom has a particular interest and experience in Serious Fraud and Confiscation, Protest Cases, Terrorism, and Criminal Appeals.

He is regularly instructed as Leading Junior Counsel in high-profile cases of significant complexity and legal importance. Tom is qualified under the 'Direct Access' scheme and is able to take instructions directly from the public in appropriate cases.

Criminal Defence

Overview

Tom has always been a dedicated criminal defence barrister, devoted to providing full and fearless representation. He is ranked for Crime in the current Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 Directories.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

Serious crime

R v LR, Guildford Crown Court (2023)
Representing defendant charged with serious sexual assault on his partner’s daughter, aged 7 to 10 at the time. Following careful and sensitive cross-examination of the complainant and several supporting prosecution witnesses, the defendant was unanimously acquitted.

R v EB, Snaresbrook Crown Court (2023)
Defendant acquitted of conspiracy to commit armed robbery of a warehouse in East London following a five week trial. Prosecution case based upon telephone downloads, cellsite, association with a co-defendant who had pleaded guilty, possession of items stolen in the robbery and various other strands. In the course of the trial, a number of difficult issues arose including public interest immunity, hearsay and an unheralded cut-throat defence being advanced by a co-defendant.

R v YA, Snaresbrook Crown Court (2022)
Acted as led junior for defendant acquitted of murder after just over three hours of jury deliberations, on the basis that he had a temporary loss of control at the time of the killing. The trial involved complex pathology, toxicology and other expert evidence and required detailed legal submissions in relation to the factual scenario in which the defendant assaulted the deceased repeatedly with a hammer.

R v AD, Central Criminal Court (2022)
Defendant charged with encouraging terrorism for a speech given at his local mosque, raising difficult issues relating to the boundaries of freedom of religion and freedom of expression as well as controversial ‘expert’ evidence and bad character material.

R v Walker, Warwick Crown Court (2021)
The defendant was originally convicted of murder in 2004. After his conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal, following a reference by the CCRC, Tom acted as led junior in the re-trial which revolved around technical expert evidence on neuropathology, pathology and toxicology. Following a successful submission of no case to answer, based upon complex issues of causation and the principle of novus actus interveniens, the prosecution appealed the judge’s ruling. Finally, the Court of Appeal dismissed their appeal and the defendant was released after 18 years in prison. Read the Guardian’s report on this extraordinary case here.

R v EG, Chester Crown Court (2020)
Representing trans female defendant charged with rape. Unanimously acquitted following a difficult and delicate trial.

R v ******, Woolwich Crown Court (2020)
Allegations of Perverting the Course of Justice and Money Laundering. Highly unusual trial, conducted almost entirely in-camera, involving extremely sensitive evidence and novel legal issues. Defendant discharged following lengthy legal argument.

R v LB, Kingston Crown Court (2020)
Causing Death by Dangerous Driving. Case involving complex expert evidence on accident reconstruction, medical negligence and causation. Defendant acquitted.

R v Letts, Central Criminal Court (2019)
The Defendants were the parents of Jack Letts, a British Muslim revert who travelled to Syria in 2014 and the Crown alleged had joined ISIS. The Defendants were acquitted of two counts of funding terrorism on the grounds of duress after their son asked them for money in order to leave the group he was with, but were convicted on the remaining count. Prior to trial this extraordinary case went to the Supreme Court in order to determine the requisite mens rea for the offence and later to the Court of Appeal to consider the compatibility of the defence of duress with s.17 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Read reports of the case on the BBC here and the Daily Mail here.

R v Osman, Central Criminal Court (2019)
Defendant acquitted of attempted murder and GBH after the front seat passenger in his vehicle was caught on CCTV shooting a man at point blank range in a busy North London street.

R v Brown, Inner London CC (2017)
Nurse accused of stealing drugs from children's hospital based on evidence from 'Omnicell' electronic drugs cabinets. Acquitted following successful submission of no case to answer. Reported in the Evening Standard here.

R v Newland, Manchester CC (2017)
Led junior in the appeal and re-trial of what was described as 'one of the most extraordinary and controversial criminal cases of recent times'  in which the Defendant was alleged to have adopted a male persona in order to have a relationship with their female best friend. High-profile case which was reported in the Guardian here, the Mail here and the Telegraph here.

R v Amin, Southwark CC (2013)
Leading Junior in trial of Defendant alleged to have assisted in disposing of the body of a young woman murdered by members of her family in a so-called 'honour-killing'. Reported in the Telegraph here, the Daily Mail here, the Evening Standard here and ITV News here.

Contact Tom

Financial Crime and Confiscation

Overview

Tom has brought his analytical and advocacy skills to bear on large-scale complex frauds brought by the Serious Fraud Office, Trading Standards and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills amongst others. He is particularly well-known for his expertise in confiscation proceedings and has co-authored 'The Confiscation Manual' - a practical guide to the proceeds of crime.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

R v Ahmet, Southwark Crown Court (2023)
Leading junior for defendant charged with conspiracy to defraud NatWest bank of over £1m, by way of fraudulent loan applications.

R v HK, Preston Crown Court (2022)
Defendant acquitted of laundering the proceeds of an astonishing Bitcoin fraud in which £21m was stolen from a cryptocurrency trading website following exploitation of a ‘glitch’ in the code. Vast sums were then traded by the defendant and used to purchase gold, property and fiat currency in Dubai. 

R v FP, Southwark Crown Court (2022)
Ten week trial appearing as leading junior for defendant charged with a conspiracy to launder the proceeds of a £13m boiler room fraud.

R v Padda, Central Criminal Court (2019 – 2021)
Leading counsel in confiscation proceedings arising out of large scale excise fraud and money laundering in which it had been estimated that the turnover of the operation was in excess of £60m. Final confiscation order made in the sum of just over £500,000.

R v Gohil, Southwark CC (2019 – 2020)
Representing solicitor convicted for laundering the proceeds of corruption by James Ibori - the former governor of Delta State, Nigeria – in his confiscation proceedings. Large number of extremely complicated issues relating to trust and business structures in the UK and abroad. Total benefit figure sought in excess of £40m.

R v Gold, Southwark CC (2018 - 2019 ) ‘Operation Amazon’
Complex multi-million pound confiscation proceedings arising from what was said to be the most complex tax fraud ever investigated by HMRC. Read the report in the Mail here.

R v Hameed, Southwark CC (2019)
Lengthy and complicated Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings in which the Crown were initially seeking in excess of £100m. Reported in The Times here and the Mail here.

R v Bond, Southwark CC (2018) 'Operation Twilight'
Led junior in large-scale Conspiracy to Cheat the Revenue relating to a fraudulent scheme to obtain sideways tax relief from bogus film development companies.

R v Ahmed, Southwark CC (2017 - 2018)
Leading junior for Defendant charged with a conspiracy to launder the proceeds of a series of brothels in central London, totalling millions of pounds over a period of years.

R v Reader, Woolwich CC (2018)
Led junior representing one of the Hatton Garden safety deposit box burglars in their confiscation proceedings. The burglary was said to be the largest ever in British legal history and attracted international publicity. Read reports from The Guardian here, The Independent here, The Telegraph here and The Mirror here.

R v Xu, Southwark CC (2016 - 2017) & Corbiere v Xu [2018] EWHC 1650 (Ch); [2018] 4 WLR 125
Led junior defending in a private prosecution brought by a large hedge fund against a former employee in relation to the loss of millions of pounds worth of confidential intellectual property. Prosecution represented by two Queen's Counsel, one junior Counsel, one corporate solicitors' firm and one specialist prosecution firm. Case required detailed understanding of quantitative analysis, computer coding and the use of Optical Character Recognition software.

Further representing the same defendant in contempt of court proceedings brought by the same complainant in the Chancery Division and the Court of Appeal (Civil Division).

R v Byrne, Southwark CC (2016)
Led junior and junior alone for the main Defendant in two prosecutions for large-scale 'boiler room' and land-banking frauds. Total alleged loss said to be in the region of £9m.

R v Maclean, Truro CC (2014)
Leading junior in multi-handed fraud representing architect alleged to have secured fraudulent investments for multi-million pound building developments throughout Cornwall.

R v Advani, Croydon CC (2009-2011)
Large-scale fraud dating back to 1984 arising out of the collapse of the Johnson-Matthey Bank. The size and scope of the original investigation was a significant impetus in the establishment of the Serious Fraud Office.

Contact Tom

Protest Rights

Overview

As lead author on The Protest Handbook, Tom specialises in upholding protestors' rights under Articles 8, 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and challenging the excessive or unlawful use of force by police officers. Tom's practice in this area includes high-profile cases such as the 'Rotherham 12', the 'Occupy Parliament' demonstrations, R v Caroline Lucas MP and R v Zac King and Alfie Meadows.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

DPP v Manchester Magistrates Court, ex p Wood and Haslam [2024] 1 Cr. App. R. 12
Successfully represented Ruth Wood, who called Iain Duncan Smith ‘Tory Scum’ as he left the Conservative party conference in Manchester in 2021. In light of defence submissions on the right to free speech, the Chief Magistrate of England and Wales acquitted Ms Wood of intentionally causing harassment alarm or distress. The DPP applied to the Chief Magistrate to state a case for the consideration of the High Court. Following submissions on behalf of the acquitted defendants, the application was refused on the basis that it was ‘frivolous’. The DPP thereupon applied for permission to judicially review the refusal and the acquittals. Again, submissions were made on behalf of the defence and permission was initially refused, before being granted following an oral hearing.

Following a contested hearing before the High Court against Senior Treasury Counsel, in which Tom led Elena Papamichael on behalf of Ms Wood, the application was refused. The judgment deals with a number of complex legal issues, including the need for a proportionality assessment in such cases, how Article 10 of the ECHR is taken into account where there is a ‘reverse burden’ on the defence to show that their conduct was reasonable and the scope of review in cases involving Convention Rights. Read press coverage of the trial in the Telegraph here and in the Express here. Read press coverage of the High Court proceedings in the Guardian here and here.

R v MB, Cambridge Crown Court (2024)
Appearing, together with Owen Greenhall, on behalf of animal rights protestors who had campaigned against the vivisection industry and the treatment of beagles bred for use in animal testing. The defendants also accepted using covert cameras and tracking devices in order to monitor the activities of the companies involved, in order to investigate whether criminal offences were being committed by those organisations. Following a five-week trial at Cambridge Crown Court, both were unanimously found not guilty of 'Stalking Causing Serious Alarm or Distress' and 'Interfering with Contractual Relations so as to Harm an Animal Research Organisation'.

R v Frey and others, Inner London Crown Court (2022-2023)
R v Crawford and others, Lewes Crown Court (2022-2023)
Representing numerous defendants, and leading the legal argument on behalf of all defendants, in relation to charges of committing a public nuisance, arising from direct actions protests carried out under the banner of ‘Insulate Britain’.

R v RS and others, Wood Green Crown Court (2023)
Representing two defendants of twelve charged with conspiracies to commit criminal damage. Members of ‘Beyond Politics’ / ‘Burning Pink’ threw pink paint over a number of charities and political parties’ headquarters and planned to do the same to various trade unions in order to prompt the organisations in question to take stronger, more urgent action in relation to the climate catastrophe. Defendants acquitted following a five-week trial.

Read press coverage in the Guardian here and the Mail here.

R v Ponsford, Bristol Crown Court (2021-2022)
Tom represented the first defendant in one of the most high-profile cases of recent times, the trial of four defendants for toppling the statue of Edward Colston, the notorious 17th-century slave trader. The defendants were charged with criminal damage after using ropes to pull down the statue and rolling it into the harbour, after Bristol Council had for years failed to address the distress and offence the statue caused to the local community. Their actions were reported around the world, prompting organisations and local authorities throughout the UK to confront and address the country’s involvement in slavery. Read just some of the many reports about the case here, here and here.

Roblyn v DPP, Administrative Court [2022] Env L.R. 16
Successful appeal by case stated against District Judge’s decision to convict a HS2 protestor of an offence contrary to  s.241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, after he climbed a tree to prevent wildlife crimes being committed. The High Court ruled that the defendant should have been acquitted and confirmed that HS2 did not provide any kind of immunity from prosecution.

R v Atkinson, City of Westminster Magistrates Court (2020)
Representing XR demonstrator charged with Trespass on a Protected Site after climbing the Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament to protest against the government’s inaction on climate change.

Stansted 15, Chelmsford Crown Court (2018-2019)
Acting on behalf of two of the fifteen Defendants charged under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 with Endangering Safety at an Aerodrome after entering into Stansted Airport and chaining themselves around the base of a Boeing 767 in order to prevent it being used to deport individuals to countries where their lives were in danger.

The case has attracted widespread international attention. Read reports from the Guardian: ' Stansted 15: no jail for activists convicted of terror-related offences' and Stansted protesters believed deportees were at risk of death, court told.

R v Saleem, R v Sultan, Sheffield CC (2016 and 2018)
Representing two of the 'Rotherham 12', all of whom were acquitted of violent disorder on the grounds that they were defending themselves and their community after a peaceful demonstration was directed into the path of far-right football hooligans. Ten defendants were unanimously found Not Guilty by a jury and the remaining two were later acquitted after the Prosecution offered no evidence against them, following revelations about the credibility of the Silver Commander in charge of policing the protest.

Read the reports from the Independent here, the Guardian here, Channel Four News here, The Mail here and Socialist Worker here

R v GP, Lewes CC (2016)
Defendant acquitted of violent disorder after confrontation with members of the EDL. Cut-throat defence against the other six defendants, all of whom were participants in the far-right 'March For England'.

R v YI, Southwark CC (2015)
Defendant acquitted after a trial for violent disorder following her participation in the 'Million Mask March' in London on 5th November 2014.

'Occupy Democracy' City of Westminster MC (2015)
Together with Owen Greenhall, between them, representing thirty protestors over a series of ten trials arising out of the 'Occupy Democracy' demonstrations in Parliament Square in Autumn 2014. Not a single demonstrator was convicted.

Read the press coverage here.

R v Lucas and others, Brighton MC (2014) 'Operation Mansell'
Representing Caroline Lucas MP and others charged with offences arising out of a peaceful sit-down demonstration, protesting against a fracking operation being set up outside the small village of Balcombe. Following a six-day trial, not only were the Defendants acquitted of all charges, but the District Judge went on to rule that the conditions imposed on the protest by the police were unclear, without proper foundation and unlawful.

Read the reports from The Guardian here and here, The Independent here, the Times here and the BBC here and here.

R v Zac King, Woolwich CC (2013)
On 9th December 2010, Alfie Meadows and Zac King were both struck on the head by police batons whilst peacefully protesting in Parliament Square against the exorbitant rise in tuition fees being introduced by the coalition government. Alfie was nearly killed by the blow. Both young men then found themselves charged with Violent Disorder and facing a Crown Court trial. Tom's cross-examination of the Silver Commander challenged the Metropolitan Police's decision to 'kettle' hundreds of schoolchildren until late at night in the middle of winter. After a four-week trial, the jury returned within a short time to unanimously acquit both Defendants.

Read extracts from Tom's cross-examination and closing speech here and here.
Read the New Statesman's observations on the trial here and here.
Read the reports from The Independent here, The Guardian here and the BBC here.

R v Jahnke, Cambridge MC (2009)
Protestor who threw a shoe at Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, acquitted.
Read reports in The Guardian (1 June 2009) here, The Guardian (2 June 2009) here, and Time magazine here.

Contact Tom

Criminal Appeals

Overview

Tom has a strong track record in having convictions quashed and sentences reduced where previous Counsel had advised there was no merit and where the Single Judge has refused leave.

Tom acted in R v Bassett, the leading case on the offence of voyeurism and R v Court, the leading case on the definition of 'keeping a disorderly house'. He also appeared as Leading Counsel in R v McNally which dealt with the question as to whether alleged deception as to gender could nullify consent in sexual offences. He acted in R v Stephens and R v Margelis which dealt with questions of statutory interpretation arising from the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the Explosive Substances Act 1883 respectively. Tom appeared in R v Stockli and R v Gohil and Preko which deal with issues relating to abuse of process and disclosure.

He is more than happy to take instructions pro bono in relation to the merits of making renewed applications.

Tom is the Treasurer for the Criminal Appeal Lawyers Association.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

DPP v Manchester Magistrates Court, ex p Wood and Haslam [2024] 1 Cr. App. R. 12
For details see under ‘Notable Protest Cases’

R v Pierini [2024] 1 Cr. App. R. 15; Archbold §3-222
Appeal against conviction relating to defendant’s ability to join criminal proceedings from abroad by live link.

R v Deghayes [2023] EWCA Crim 97; Archbold §25-184
Successful appeal against sentence on the basis that a speech in a mosque had not been delivered to a ‘targeted audience’ and so should have been placed in a lower category when assessing culpability.

R v Stephens [2022] EWCA Crim 410; Archbold §19-441
Challenge to conviction on the basis of the meaning of ‘adult’ for the purposes of s.2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

R v Margelis [2022] 1 Cr. App. R. 3; Archbold §23-85
Defendant charged with possessing explosive substances as part of an intricate fraud using the postal network. Appeal on the definition of ‘pyrotechnic effect’ for the purposes of the Explosive Substances Act 1883. 

Read the article in the Times here, the Evening Standard here and the Mirror here.

R v Taylor [2021]
Extended sentence quashed and replaced with hospital order, following fresh psychiatric evidence.

DPP v Neale [2021] 2 Cr. App. R. 9 
Conviction for obstructing a police officer quashed on appeal by way of case stated. The defendant was not under any duty to provide his name and address to a police officer so that a fixed penalty notice could be issued under the Coronavirus Regulations.

R v Coltman [2019] 2 Cr. App. R. 35; Archbold §23-87 
Interlocutory appeal arguing that a public interest defence should be read into the Computer Misuse Act 1990, so as to render it compatible with Articles 2, 3, 8 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

R v Stockli [2018] 2 Cr. App. R. 29; Archbold §31-33
Whether it amounted to an abuse of process for the Crown to charge a defendant with the offence of public nuisance, contrary to public law when alternative statutory offences were available.

R v Gohil and Preko [2018] 1 Cr. App. R. 30; Archbold §7-222b
Acting on behalf of the second applicant seeking leave to re-open a previous appeal on the basis of material non-disclosure by the Crown.

R v VSJ and others [2017] 1 Cr. App. R. 33; Archbold §17-105
Representing three out of the six appellants, all of whom were victims of human trafficking, in a specially convened conjoined appeal considering the relationship between the pre-existing law and the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the law on duress and the role of the Competent Authority.

R v McNally [2013] 2 Cr. App. R. 28; [2014] Crim LR 3, 207-223; [2014] Crim LR 7, 492-510; Archbold §20-23
Leading Junior in this key authority on what can and cannot vitiate consent for the purposes of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The young female appellant was alleged to have deceived another female into believing she was male prior to having sexual relations. Following an expedited hearing, the sentence of imprisonment was quashed and replaced with a suspended sentence leading to the appellant's immediate release from custody.

Read articles in New Statesman here, the Mirror here and the Daily Record here.

R v Court and Gu [2012] 1 WLR 2260; [2012] 1 Cr. App. R. 36; Archbold §20-242
One prostitute, working by herself from an address and simply carrying out straight-forward sexual services was not sufficient to amount to the ancient common law offence of 'keeping a disorderly house'.

R v Bassett (2008) Crim LR 998; (2009) 1 Cr App R 7; (2009) 1 WLR 1032; Archbold §20-209
Leading case on the offence of voyeurism under section 67 and 68 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Conviction quashed by Court of Appeal who agreed that the reference to 'breasts' in s.68 does not include a man's breast areas. Defendant initially represented pro bono after leave to appeal refused by Single Judge.

Read reports in The Sun here, The Telegraph here and The Daily Mail here.

Contact Tom

Youth Justice & Child Rights

Tom has extensive experience representing children caught up in the criminal justice system. He has acted for young people charged with some of the most serious offences, including terrorism, drugs importation and violence. Tom has developed the skill, knowledge and understanding necessary to appear on behalf of children, particularly those who have been identified as being on the autistic spectrum. He is experienced in the use of intermediaries and other adjustments which need to be made to the criminal court process so as to allow young people to fully engage and participate.

Contact Tom

Notable Cases & News

Garden Court Chambers revises policy on Stratford Magistrates' Court

23 May 2024

Criminal Disclosure Referencer (Third Edition) by Tom Wainwright, Emma Fenn and Shahida Begum out now

The Garden Court Crime Team is pleased to announce that the Criminal Disclosure Referencer, Third Edition, written by Tom Wainwright, Emma Fenn and Shahida Begum is out now.

17 May 2024

Garden Court Chambers statement on security searches at Stratford Magistrates' Court

8 May 2024

Director of Public Prosecutions abandons application to take Iain Duncan Smith ‘Tory Scum’ case to Supreme Court

Tom Wainwright and Elena Papamichael, both of the Garden Court Protest Rights Team, represented Ruth Wood, instructed by Lydia Dagostino of Kellys Solicitors. Owen Greenhall, of the Garden Court Protest Rights Team, represented Radical Haslam, leading Mir

20 March 2024

Henry Blaxland KC, Owen Greenhall and Tom Wainwright appear in Court of Appeal for acquitted protestor in Attorney General’s Reference on ‘belief in consent’ defence

Henry Blaxland KC, Owen Greenhall and Tom Wainwright, of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Rights and Criminal Defence teams, represented the acquitted person, instructed by Lydia Dagostino of Kellys Solicitors.

18 March 2024

Animal rights activists acquitted of campaign of stalking causing serious alarm or distress

Tom Wainwright and Owen Greenhall of the Garden Court Protest Rights Team represented the defendants, instructed by Jane Cleasby of Kellys Solicitors.

14 March 2024

High Court Dismisses DPP's Appeal Against Acquittal of Protestors Who Called Iain Duncan Smith “Tory Scum”

Tom Wainwright led Elena Papamichael. Owen Greenhall led Mira Hammad. Tom, Elena and Owen are members of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Rights Team.

21 November 2023

Tom Wainwright acts for defendant cleared of violent disorder at protest

Tom Wainwright of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Rights Team acted for the defendant, instructed by Hester Cavaciuti of Bindmans LLP, who was assisted by Shivani Soni, trainee solicitor.

16 November 2023

Tom Wainwright and Justine Compton appointed as Recorders

We are delighted to announce Tom Wainwright (Call: 2003) and Justine Compton (Call: 2005) of Garden Court Chambers have been newly appointed as Recorders by the Queen on the advice of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.

18 May 2023

Protestors acquitted of conspiracy to throw paint over charity, political party and trade union headquarters

Tom Wainwright, Owen Greenhall, Susan Wright and Audrey Cherryl Mogan of the Garden Court Protest Team represented six of the defendants, instructed by Lydia Dagostino of Kellys Solicitors.

22 February 2023

Garden Court Chambers and Garden Court North remember Ian Macdonald QC

Garden Court Chambers and Garden Court North were honoured to host a memorial event for Ian Macdonald QC 1939-2019 at Middle Temple Hall on Tuesday 7 February 2023.

17 February 2023

Tom Wainwright acts for defendant acquitted of murder on the basis of ‘loss of control’

Tom Wainwright of the Garden Court Criminal Defence Team acted for the defendant, led by Emma Goodall KC of Doughty Street Chambers.

21 November 2022

Tom Wainwright represents protestor acquitted of abusing and insulting Iain Duncan Smith

Tom Wainwright of the Garden Court Criminal Defence Team represented the defendant. Tom was instructed by Kate Hallam of Kellys Solicitors.

16 November 2022

Garden Court secures top tier rankings in the Legal 500 2023

Garden Court Chambers is proud to be recognised as a Top Tier set again in the Legal 500.

30 September 2022

Tom Wainwright and Shina Animashaun secure acquittal in £20m cryptocurrency money laundering trial

Tom and Shina of Garden Court Chambers were instructed by Anna Sidgwick of Stuart Miller Solicitors.

22 July 2022

Members of the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team support escalating proposed CBA action to include days of action

17 June 2022

Stephanie Harrison QC, Chair and Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers, comments on the Nationality and Borders Bill receiving Royal Assent

29 April 2022

Garden Court Crime Team statement on no returns action

30 March 2022

Tom Wainwright secures acquittal for Black Lives Matter protestor after prosecution drop charge of violent disorder

Tom Wainwright, of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Team, was instructed by Alexandra Riddington of Traymans Solicitors.

17 January 2022

XR protestors cleared by jury in DLR trial

Owen Greenhall joint-convenor of the Garden Court Protest Rights Team represented all three of the defendants. He was instructed by Mike Schwarz at Hodge Jones and Allen. Tom Wainwright acted for a fourth defendant whose case was discontinued.

14 January 2022

Colston statue topplers acquitted

Tom Wainwright of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Team represented Milo Ponsford, the first of four defendants charged with criminal damage for toppling the statue of Edward Colston, the notorious 17th century slave trader.

5 January 2022

Released after 18 years in prison for a murder he did not commit

David Emanuel QC and Tom Wainwright, of the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team, instructed by Steven Bird of Birds Solicitors have secured the acquittal of a man wrongly convicted of murder in 2004 after an unprecedented three appeals.

21 December 2021

Tom Wainwright successfully appeals conviction of HS2 protestor for protecting wildlife

Tom Wainwright, of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Team, represented the appellant. Tom was instructed by Simon Natas and Anna Renou of ITN Solicitors.

17 November 2021

Garden Court secures number one rankings in Chambers UK Bar Guide 2022

21 October 2021

CPS drop terrorism charges against alleged anarchist

Tom Wainwright leading Owen Greenhall of Garden Court Chambers represented Mr Shone, instructed by Tayab Ali and Patrick Ormerod of Bindmans LLP.

18 October 2021

Tom Wainwright secures acquittal in ‘punishment shooting’ trial

Tom Wainwright, of the Garden Court Chambers Criminal Defence Team, was instructed by Kellie Dent and Nick Ives from Mary Monson Solicitors.

30 September 2021

Garden Court Chambers Crime Team shortlisted for Crime Set of the Year by Chambers Bar Awards 2021

We are delighted to announce that the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team has been shortlisted by the Chambers Bar Awards 2021 for Crime Set of the Year.

27 August 2021

Another XR protestor conviction quashed at the Old Bailey

Tom Wainwright of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Team represented Helen Allen. He was instructed by Jenny Winter of Birds Solicitors.

6 August 2021

Tom Wainwright secures acquittal for HS2 rebellion protestor after trial collapses due to CPS disclosure failures

Tom Wainwright of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Team was instructed by Hollie Collinge of Kellys Solicitors.

3 August 2021

Administrative Court overturn conviction for refusing to provide name and address in relation to suspected breach of Coronavirus Regulations

Tom Wainwright of the Garden Court Criminal Defence and Protest Teams represented Neale instructed by Patrick Ormerod of Bindmans Solicitors.

23 February 2021

Garden Court Chambers Response to Law Commission Consultation on ‘Confiscation of the Proceeds of Crime After Conviction'

Tom Wainwright, Jacob Bindman and Meredoc McMinn of the Garden Court Chambers Financial Crime and Confiscation Team have put together a response to the Law Commission's Consultation on ‘Confiscation of the Proceeds of Crime After Conviction'.

21 December 2020

'The Protest Handbook (2nd Ed.)' co-authored by Tom Wainwright and Owen Greenhall launches today

Tom Wainwright and Owen Greenhall, of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Law Team, are co-authors of The Protest Handbook (2nd Ed.). Order here.

26 November 2020

MS patient found not guilty of cultivating cannabis for medical use

Tom Wainwright of Garden Court represented the patient, Lesley Gibson, instructed by Tayab Ali of ITN Solicitors.

6 January 2020

Final two members of the 'Rotherham 12' acquitted

The final two members of the 'Rotherham 12' were acquitted today following legal argument by Tom Wainwright.

13 February 2018

Criminal Disclosure Referencer – Second Edition now published

Criminal Disclosure Referencer, Second Edition written by Tom Wainwright, Emma Fenn and Shahida Begum has been published. 

21 December 2017

Kurdish restauranteurs acting in self-defence were acquitted of affray and possession of offensive weapons on a submission of no case

Lalith de Kauwe represented the father and Tom Wainwright represented the son who were attacked by a group of men armed with weapons late at night as they closed their restaurant.

3 October 2017

Tom Wainwright secures acquittal for nurse accused of stealing drugs from children’s hospital

The defendant was represented by Tom Wainwright of Garden Court Chambers.

21 July 2017

Tom Wainwright secures acquittal of defendant charged with large scale conspiracy to manufacture and transfer firearms

Tom Wainwright has secured the acquittal of a defendant charged with a large scale conspiracy to manufacture and transfer prohibited firearms.

3 March 2017

Important Court of Appeal judgment for victims of human trafficking

A number of defendants and the intervener were represented by counsel from Garden Court Chambers.

15 February 2017

'Jihadi Jack' parents plead not guilty to funding terrorism

John Letts is being represented by Di Middleton and Tom Wainwright of Garden Court's Crime Team.

6 December 2016

Ten Asian men cleared of violent disorder against far-right extremists

Nick Wrack, Tom Wainwright and Hossein Zahir represented three of the men.

16 November 2016

All related news

Publications

The Protest Handbook (2nd Edition) - Wainwright, Morris, Greenhall and Parker
(Bloomsbury – December 2020)
Co-author on the popular guide to all aspects of protest law from police powers to criminal proceedings, from occupations to civil actions.

Criminal Disclosure Referencer (3rd edition) - Wainwright, Fenn and Begum
(Bloomsbury - May 2024)
Co-author of this detailed and important guide to the duty of disclosure in criminal proceedings.

The Confiscation Manual - Vaughan QC, Wainwright, O'Hara and McGuinness
(Sweet and Maxwell - published September 2015)
Co-Author of this practical guide to confiscation proceedings, providing a comprehensive yet accessible explanation of the law relating to the proceeds of crime.

Human Rights in Criminal Law – Douglas-Jones KC et al.(Bloomsbury Professional – February 2023)
Contributed chapter dealing with Article 10 and, particularly, the right to protest.

Training and Seminars

Tom regularly speaks on topics of legal interest - particularly relating to protest rights and free speech - in the media, for solicitor’s firms and in other forums. As well as those listed below, he has delivered talks for LSE, the Royal College of Arts, the University of Sussex and the University of Kent.

Neurodivergence in the Criminal Justice System
Part of the Garden Court series of webinars on Neurodivergence and the Justice System

Protest Law
South East Circuit Education Series

LDN COP: Climate Festival
(Camden New Journal and Islington Tribune)

How will the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act impact our right to protest?
(Garden Court and NetPol Webinar)

Confiscation Reform
(Joint webinar with Garden Court and the Law Commission)

Protest, Pandemic and Proportionality
(Garden Court Webinar)
Focussing on the right to protest during the coronavirus pandemic and the compatibility of the ‘lockdown’ regulations with the ECHR.

Hot Topics in Confiscation
(LCCSA International conference, Valencia)

Disclosure: Something Changed
(Garden Court Seminar)
Recent cases, current problems and potential future changes to the disclosure regime.

TransJustice Conference
(Garden Court in association with City University and Birkbeck, May 2016)
Co-ordinator and speaker at conference on challenges faced by trans and gender non-conforming people in the criminal justice system.

'Fracking: The Protests and the Court Cases'
(Haldane Society Human Rights Lectures 2014 - available here)

Education

  • MA (Oxon) Jurisprudence

Professional Membership

  • Criminal Bar Association
  • Criminal Appeal Lawyers Association (Treasurer)
  •  
  • Network For Police Monitoring Lawyers Group
  • Fraud Lawyers Association
  • Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association
  •  
  • Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers
  • Bar Pro Bono Unit
  • Liberty

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