Tom is a leading commercial barrister specialising in shipping, shipbuilding, energy, international trade, insurance and international arbitration. He is recognised as a leading practitioner by the Legal 500 in Commodities and Shipping, and by Chambers & Partners in Shipping & Commodities.
In the directories, Tom has been described as "fantastic", "spectacular", "extremely hard-working and clever", "quick on his feet", "brave", "intuitive", "incredibly practical" and "completely unflappable"; and he has won praise for his "spot-on" command of the law, his "exceptionally good" mastery of technical issues, and his "compelling", "highly persuasive and very effective" advocacy.
Tom represents shipowners, commodity traders, shipyards, underwriters, salvors, oil companies, banks and other commercial clients, in the Business & Property Courts (Commercial Court, Admiralty Court & Chancery Division), the Court of Appeal, and international commercial arbitrations. He is particularly skilled at handling cases involving complex commercial transactions and technical expert issues. He also specialises in emergency applications including freezing and antisuit injunctions.
Chambers UK 2020 says of him: "A highly commended practitioner specialising in wet and dry shipping, international trade and insurance disputes. He has particular strength in emergency applications as well as technical issues related to navigation and seamanship. He is a frequent presence on both the courtroom circuit and in trade arbitrations."
Tom is admitted as an attorney in New York, and is a registered foreign lawyer at the Singapore International Commercial Court.