Tom Payne specialises in financial crime, particularly cases involving complex issues of taxation, accountancy and money laundering. He is routinely instructed in cases of unusual complexity or sensitivity, and his career has included a number of legal firsts:
He is regularly instructed in major cases by the CPS, FRC, SFO and CM
He has been recognised as a leading junior by the legal directories for a number of years:
Tom has a varied general crime practice, with an emphasis on serious organised crime.
Recent highlights have included:
Older important cases have included:
Tom has a formidable fraud and money laundering practice.
Recent highlights have included:
Tom has a substantial professional discipline practice:
Contributing editor to Archbold 2020 (Sweet & Maxwell, 2019)
M. Lucraft and T. Payne, Crown Court Index 2020 (Sweet & Maxwell, 2019)
Contributing editor to Archbold 2019 (Sweet & Maxwell, 2018)
Contributing author to Millington and Sutherland Williams The Proceeds of Crime, 5th edition (OUP, 2018)
M. Lucraft and T. Payne, Crown Court Index 2019 (Sweet & Maxwell, 2018)
M. Lucraft and T. Payne, Crown Court Index 2018 (Sweet & Maxwell, 2017)
M. Lucraft and T. Payne, Crown Court Index 2017 (Sweet & Maxwell, 2016);
M. Lucraft and T. Payne, Crown Court Index 2016 (Sweet & Maxwell, 2015);
M. Lucraft, T. Payne and D. Rawlings, The Dunlop Three: the cartel offence makes its debut (Archbold News Issue 1, 2009)
He has been recognised as a leading junior by the legal directories for a number of years:
Chambers UK 2021: ranked in Crime and Financial Crime. ‘His judgement, work ethic and ability to process material are all of a high order.’, ‘He is meticulous in his preparation and one of the most charming men you will come across.’ and ‘In terms of financial crime his ability is outstanding, as well as his work ethic, ability to process material and his judgement.’
Legal 500 2021: ‘A serene and sure-footed court performer.’
Chambers UK 2020: ranked in Crime and Financial Crime. ‘A very firm, no-nonsense prosecutor, who doesn’t make concessions easily. He is a formidable barrister who can be trusted to do his job with the utmost professionalism’. ‘Tom is incredibly diligent, has a great eye for detail and possesses very sound judgement’. ‘He is exceptionally clever’ and has ‘a good eye for detail’.
Legal 500 2020: ‘A cool, calm and assured barrister’.
Chambers UK 2019: ranked in Crime and Financial Crime. ‘He analyses difficult issues well and his judgement and case strategy are exceptional’.
Legal 500 2019: ‘A very sound advocate who is calm under pressure, fair minded and approachable.’
Chambers UK 2018: ranked in Crime and Financial Crime. ‘He is exceptionally bright, an absolute workhorse, and is fazed by nothing’. ‘Very bright and hard-working, he has a mastery of detail that is just phenomenal’.
Chambers UK 2017: ranked in Crime and Financial Crime. ‘A seasoned prosecution counsel…He knows the law, is confident and self-assured’.
Legal 500 2017: ‘A highly professional and accomplished advocate…He has excellent judgement and a keen tactical sense…He can marshal complex facts from a mass of material…’
Chambers UK 2016: ranked in Crime and Financial Crime. ‘A highly respected crime junior…hard-working, cool and not easily flapped…’
Chambers UK 2015: ‘A highly sought after junior…expertise in MTIC and tax fraud…’
Legal 500 2015: ‘An extremely hardworking, talented advocate…’
Chambers UK 2014: ‘Admired for his work ethic and unflappable demeanour…Persuasive, charming…meticulous’.
Legal 500 2014: ‘a delight to work with’.
Legal 500 2013: ‘a real star’.
MA Jurisprudence (Trinity College, Oxford)
LLM (Birmingham)
Elected member of Bar Council since 2015
Bar Council Remuneration Committee
Member of CBA Executive
Former CBA Treasurer
Recorder (2012)
CPS Specialist Panels for Fraud, Organised Crime and Proceeds of Crime Grade 4 (2012)
SFO advocates panel A list (2012)
Jules Thorne Scholar, Middle Temple