Thomas Phillips

Thomas has a keen interest in medical law and accepts instructions on behalf of claimants and defendants. 

To-date, Thomas’ experience has included drafting pleadings in relation to: 

• Alleged failure to offer conservative treatments to a patient before undertaking a total laparoscopic hysterectomy. 
• An alleged failure to diagnose and treat caries in a patient's tooth.  
• (During pupillage) Alleged failure to diagnose and treat indeterminate colitis. 
• (During pupillage) Alleged failure to provide informed consent by way of providing all reasonable alternative treatment options in relation to implant denture treatment. 

Further, during pupillage, Thomas gained experience of drafting Schedules and Counter-Schedules and drafted Advices on the following matters: 

• Alleged delayed diagnosis of a ruptured Achilles tendon (liability and quantum). 
• Alleged failure to properly obtain consent prior to performing a haemorrhoidectomy (liability and quantum). 
• A claim brought under The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934 and The Fatal Accidents Act 1976 after the death of a Claimant in the Defendant’s care (quantum only). 
• Delayed diagnosis of an ACL injury (quantum only). 

Thomas understands that medical law matters are immensely important to the patients and practitioners at the centre of them. Accordingly, he takes care to support clients throughout the entire process and develop realistic case strategies to achieve the outcomes they seek.

Thomas is steadily building a practice in professional liability matters and is happy to accept instructions on behalf of claimants and defendants.  

To-date, Thomas’ work has included:  

• Advising and drafting defences on behalf of solicitor’s firms in relation to alleged mishandling of litigation. 
• Drafting a response to a Complaint to the Legal Ombudsman on behalf of a solicitor’s firm in relation to an alleged failure to advise on aspects of a property transaction. 
• (During pupillage) Advice in relation to whether a disappointed beneficiary may recover in circumstances where the testator’s testamentary intention was based on negligent advice. 
• (During pupillage) Advice in relation to an alleged failure to properly advise upon a leasehold investment scheme.  

Thomas develops commercial and pragmatic case strategies which place clients in the best possible position to resolve professional negligence disputes. He understands the costs and time pressures practitioners in this area regularly face and is able to work as part of a team to achieve the client’s goals effectively.  

As a paralegal at a specialist commercial litigation firm, Thomas worked on a variety of domestic and multi-jurisdictional disputes which involved issues of: breach of contract, civil fraud, banking & financial markets law, jurisdiction, privilege, costs, and insurance.  

Prior to coming to the Bar, Thomas studied modules on general and maritime insurance law and air & space law during his year at Ghent University and has interned at a leading re-insurance broker.  

Since joining Chambers, Thomas has:  

• Advised on a claim in relation to an allegedly delayed payment of an indemnity following the theft of a vehicle and drafted a Particulars of Claim in relation to the same. 
• Undertaken a secondment at a leading ATE insurance provider. 
• (During pupillage) Assisted William Flenley KC and Heather McMahon on a matter involving the interpretation of the SRA’s Minimum Terms.  

Thomas is keen to develop his experience in relation to inquiries and inquests. 

Thomas is currently working on the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and is happy to accept instructions to assist with further inquiries. 

In relation to inquests, Thomas can bring the experience he has developed in relation to clinical negligence matters to inquests touching upon similar topics. 

Thomas accepts instructions in all disciplinary matters and has represented nurses in Interim Order Hearings during NMC proceedings.  

Thomas appreciates that our careers and professional reputations are frequently of fundamental importance to our lives. Accordingly, regulatory proceedings can be a distressing experience for the professional to whom they relate. Thomas takes care to ensure that his clients are fully informed about the regulatory process, that their accounts are fully presented to the relevant panel, and seeks the best outcomes for them.

Thomas frequently appears in the County Courts in relation to road traffic accidents, personal injury, and credit hire matters. He is regularly instructed on Fast Track trials, CCMCs, Stage Three hearings, and contested civil applications.    

Thomas advises on liability and quantum issues arising from personal injury matters and has advised on a matter involving mesothelioma arising from alleged historic exposure to asbestos.   

University of Nottingham, LLB Law with European Law (Erasmus year abroad at Ghent University, Belgium) (2011 – 2015)

BPP University, BPTC (2018 – 2020)

CIPS, Corporate Practitioner Award (2021)

University of Nottingham, School of Law Commendation: Highest mark in cohort for Foundations of Public International Law (2015) 

The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, Hardwicke Entrance Award (2015) 

The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, Lord Denning Scholarship (2017) 

Landmark Chambers, Runner up in the Judicial Review Moot Competition (2020) 

ICO Data protection registration number: ZB301134.

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