Tom has a varied general crime practice, with an emphasis on serious organised crime.

Recent highlights have included:

• R v Ibori, R. v Gohil and others (Project Phoenix) (2016-2018): prosecuting the applications for leave to appeal against conviction concerning the non-disclosure of material indicating police corruption. See Gohil [2018] EWCA Crim 140 and Ibori [2018] EWCA Crim 2291.
• R v X and others (2015-2019): prosecuting cigarette and alcohol smuggling by an international organised crime group.
• Operations Respoke and Utara (2015-2018): prosecuting a conspiracy to import heroin
• R v White (2016-2017): prosecuting the first case arising from the Victims Right of Review scheme (police officer alleged to have committed perjury at inquest).
• R v Robson (2018): prosecuting an attempted murder.
• R v Lindsay (2017): prosecuting an offence of causing explosions likely to endanger life.

Older important cases have included:

• Pillow (2012-2014): conspiracy to supply industrial quantities of cutting agents for class A drugs.
• Operation Giftwrapped (2012): conspiracy to import £1m cocaine.
• Op. Octane (2009):  conspiracy to convert imitation MAC 10 submachine guns, and conspiracy to supply converted firearms with intent to endanger life. This widely reported case followed the largest ballistic investigation then undertaken in the UK, proving that the converted guns had been used in over 50 separate shooting incidents.

Tom has a formidable fraud and money laundering practice.

Recent highlights have included:

• The first three paperless trials to be prosecuted in England and Wales, using EPE and iPad jury bundles (Operation Savate)
• Prosecuting a series of linked money laundering conspiracies (Operations Borzoi and Bayweek)
• The first prosecutions for the cartel offence (the marine hose cartel, the BA/Virgin price fixing case)
• Instructed by the SFO in the first prosecution for offences under s2(16) CJA 1988

Tom has a substantial professional discipline practice:

• Advised the FRC in its settlement of proceedings against PwC concerning the audit of Cattles plc
• Instructed by the FRC in proceedings before the FRC disciplinary tribunal against directors of Welcome Financial Services Ltd (FRC v Corr, FRC v Miller)

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’.