Clerking team

Suzanne Heron

Lead Clerk, Family and Court of Protection

Jayne Harper

Family and Court of Protection Clerk

Curtis Russell

Junior Family and Court of Protection Clerk

“Rising Star”

Legal 500, 2022

“Tom is a very calm advocate and never appears ruffled. He is very personable and approachable and I have been involved in cases where he has struck up an instant rapport with other parties, including litigants in person. I know that by instructing Tom the case is in a safe pair of hands as he is very measured, controlled and highly pragmatic in how he handles cases.”

Legal 500, 2021

Tom is a dedicated Court of Protection practitioner, specialising in all areas of mental capacity law. Tom started out as a Court of Protection solicitor in 2014, before being called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn and joining St John’s Buildings in 2017.

Tom has built a successful Court of Protection practice founded on exceptional client care, attention to detail and a keen drive to obtain the best possible outcome for every client. He is regularly instructed by the Office of the Official Solicitor, statutory bodies and family members. Tom is well regarded by solicitors for his advocacy, drafting, and communication skills, especially in circumstances where vulnerable clients require a sensitive approach. He is experienced in representing individuals with learning disabilities, autism, dementia, brain-injury and mental health conditions.

Tom’s legal practice has always focussed on public law and human rights. After reading Law and French at Cardiff University, Tom completed his LLM in International Criminal Justice and Human Rights Law, at Nottingham Trent University where he achieved a Distinction. He has undertaken internships with the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, in The Hague and at Pro Public, a Human Rights and Public Interest NGO in Kathmandu, Nepal, advocating on behalf of victims of enforced disappearance.

Whilst a trainee solicitor in 2013 Tom won three out of the four awards at Derby Law Society’s Legal Skills Triathlon, including ‘Outstanding Individual in Advocacy’, ‘Outstanding Individual in Interviewing’ and ‘Best Overall Team’.

In September 2022 Tom took a brief hiatus from the Bar, to teach English in a Derby Secondary School with the education charity Teach First. Although Tom thoroughly enjoyed his time as a teacher, ultimately he missed his legal practice and returned to Chambers in April 2023 with a renewed drive to fight for those who require the support and intervention of the Court of Protection.

Court of Protection

Tom is a Court of Protection specialist, instructed for his experience in complex health and welfare matters. Tom’s practice engages a range of issues including but not limited to fluctuating capacity, capacity to engage in sexual relations, deprivation of liberty, the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court, restrictive practices within care planning, covert medication, restraint and safeguarding.

Tom also accepts instructions in property and financial affairs matters, with experience in contested proceedings in relation to the appointment and removal of deputies and attorneys.

Tom is regularly instructed to prepare statements of facts and grounds, complex position statements and advise on the merits of cases and litigation strategy.