"A compelling advocate with a sharp, analytical mind. He is exceptional with clients."

― Legal 500 [2022]
Tom Dunn
Call: 1998

Tom prosecutes and defends in cases involving very serious allegations.

By reason of his appointment to the Attorney General’s Unified list of Prosecuting Advocates and thereafter to the CPS Advocates Panel (now at level 4), Tom has been instructed to prosecute as sole counsel in a number of the most serious drug and tobacco importations brought in Kent. He has substantial experience in:

  • multi-jurisdictional investigations and foreign evidence gathering protocols
  • sensitive material and public interest immunity. (Tom has advised HMRC and UKBA on questions of disclosure in relation to complex and highly sensitive material involving a range of state agencies)
  • interpreting mobile phone usage, cell site analysis, tachograph analysis and satnav analysis
  • confiscation and restraint proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. (Tom was seconded to the Asset Forfeiture Division of the Revenue and Custom Prosecutions Office in 2007)

Tom has experience in prosecuting on behalf of BIS (formally DTI and then BERR) in cases brought against directors and companies in consequence of offences under insolvency and company legislation. Tom also has experience in conducting prosecutions brought by the DWP and/or local authorities against fraudulent benefit claimants.

Notwithstanding that his prosecution practice has, by reason of his appointments, occupied a significant part of Tom’s diary over recent years, he is equally focused on, and committed to, his defence practice. Tom routinely represents those accused of the full range criminal offending. He defends in cases involving serious violence, sexual abuse, fraud, drug supply, armed robbery, arson and firearms.

He is sought after by solicitors and clients alike not only for the clarity of his advice and the care he takes to ameliorate the inevitable stress that Crown Court proceedings bring to bear, but principally for his unwavering determination to achieve the best possible result in each case in which he is instructed.

Tom retains an interest in civil litigation and continues, in appropriate cases, to accept instructions. He has a particular interest in regulatory and planning matters and has acted in the past for local authorities in public inquiries concerned with domestic change of use through to major commercial developments. Tom has conducted a number of significant value multi track trials in litigation arising out of personal injury and general contractual disputes.

Prosecution

R v Chohdry Leading for the prosecution in historic child rape case. Case defended by silk and junior. Convictions secured of 5 counts of historic rape and 6 counts of historic indecent assault against a child who was abused from the age of 7. Click here for news item.

R v Honey – child prostitution, child pornography and grooming of victims between the age of 11 and 13 (as far as America and Australia).

R v M & M – million pound tobacco importation involving duress with a substantial and complex disclosure dimension.

R v S – importation of 2.5 tonnes of cannabis in the fabric of solar panels found within a commercial freight vehicle.

R v P – substantial importation of heroin from Central Europe.

R v K, P & L – three-handed importation of heroin from Eastern Europe in a specially modified car.

Rv J – importation of ecstasy with a street value of 3 million pounds.

R v S -substantial cannabis importation following an intelligence led investigation

R v W & P – substantial tobacco importation involving duress.

R v H – prosecution of an ex-police officer for failing to cooperate with the liquidator in the winding up of a company of which she was a director.

Defence

R v M – on-duty black cab driver accused of GBH on pedestrian.

R v H – multiple counts of historic sexual abuse against a child.

R v W – serious sexual assault against a very young complainant.

R v M – large-scale distraction frauds perpetrated against deliberately targeted elderly victims. The case involved widespread national media coverage. The entire prosecution case rested upon very substantial and complex cell site analysis.

R v W & W – double GBH involving near fatal injuries to both victims.

Recommendations

"A compelling advocate with a sharp, analytical mind. He is exceptional with clients."

― Legal 500 [2022]

"An impressive advocate with good client manner: clients appreciate the care he handles each case with."

― Legal 500 [2021]

"Very experienced in heavyweight criminal matters."

― Legal 500 [2019]

"Very conscientious and diligent."

― Legal 500 [2017]

Appointments

  • Appointed to the List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health & Safety and Environmental Law (List B)
  • Level 3 CPS Advocate Panel (from 2012 to February 2017). Level 4 CPS Advocate Panel (from March 2017)
  • CPS Rape Panel (from January 2013)
  • Attorney General’s Unified List of Prosecuting Advocates ‘C’ Panel (2007 until closure of the list)

Education

  • BVC (College of Law)
  • LLB (Hons) (Newcastle)

Latest news

20th September 2019

Tom Dunn secures acquittal in attempted murder trial

Tom Dunn, instructed by Bond Joseph Solicitors, has secured the acquittal of Lewis Shaw on a charge of attempted murder following a 4 day trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

30th January 2019

Tom Dunn secures acquittal of lorry driver accused of £1.5 million cigarette importation following 4 day trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Tom Dunn, instructed by Oliver Kirk of Old Bailey Solicitors, has secured the acquittal of a 27 year old Northern Irish male accused of attempting to smuggle more than 5 million cigarettes into the UK.

30th September 2016

Simon Taylor and Tom Dunn secure conviction of Mark Love on charges of murder and aggravated burglary

Simon Taylor and Tom Dunn, instructed by the South Eastern Complex Case Work Unit of the CPS, have secured the conviction of Mark Love...

9th September 2016

Simon Taylor and Tom Dunn begin murder trial at Maidstone Crown Court

Simon Taylor and Tom Dunn, instructed on behalf of the prosecution by the South Eastern Complex Case Work Unit of the CPS, have begun...

22nd June 2016

Tom Dunn secures acquittals in Operation Silverton following a 5 week trial at Croydon Crown Court

Tom Dunn, instructed by Paul Lahiff & Co., has secured the acquittal of Raymond Duigan on charges of conspiracy to rob and false imprisonment...

3rd May 2016

Court moves to sentence in torture case

Tom Dunn has prosecuted the sentence of Aaron Rickets and Alando McNeish on a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The prosecution’s...

22nd April 2016

Tom Dunn secures acquittal of 17 year old in gang rape case

Tom Dunn, instructed by Sara Haroon of Bond Joseph Solicitors, has secured the acquittal of a 17 year old Syrian asylum seeker on two...

8th February 2016

Simon Taylor and Tom Dunn secure unanimous convictions in murder trial

Simon Taylor and Tom Dunn instructed by the South Eastern Complex Casework Unit of the CPS have secured the conviction of Allison Tomlin and...

7th December 2015

Simon Taylor and Tom Dunn begin prosecution in murder trial

Simon Taylor and Tom Dunn, instructed by the South Eastern Case Work Unit of the CPS, begin the prosecution of Alison Tomlin and John...

24th August 2015

Tom Dunn secures convictions in torture case

Tom Dunn has secured the conviction of Alando McNeish following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court on a charge of inflicting GBH with intent....

22nd May 2015

Tom Dunn instructed by SECCU to prosecute substantial human trafficking case

Tom Dunn has been instructed on behalf of the South Eastern Complex Casework Unit of the CPS to prosecute Josef and Marion Dzuga for...

11th May 2015

Tom Dunn secures convictions in historic child rape case

Tom Dunn of 6 Pump Court, leading David Dainty of 23 Essex Street, has secured the conviction of a 59 year-old man on 5...

29th September 2014

Simon Taylor and Tom Dunn instructed to prosecute in case concerning historic sexual abuse at Barnados Home in the 1980’s

Simon Taylor and Tom Dunn have been instructed to prosecute the trial of Richard Gallacher charged with multiple counts of historic sexual abuse of 7 boys (including...

25th August 2014

Tom Dunn secures the acquittal of James Woodland  in knife point  rape case following  6 day trial at Canterbury Crown Court

Tom Dunn, instructed by Bond Joseph, has secured the acquittal of James Woodland on three counts of raping his ex partner during their 16...

23rd July 2014

Tom Dunn successfully prosecutes British kick boxing champion for drug smuggling

Tom Dunn has prosecuted the sentence of Paul Mitchelson, the British WRSA super heavy weight title holder, for attempting to smuggle in excess of £2...

Contact my clerks

Graham Colloff

Graham Colloff

First Junior Clerk
Michael Hearn

Michael Hearn

Second Junior Clerk