Thomas Russell

Thomas Russell has a multi-disciplinary practice in the civil, criminal, and family courts.

Thomas has extensive civil trial experience including on the multi-track and has acted in numerous interlocutory applications. He also has a growing advisory and practice with particular emphasis on commercial disputes and claims for personal injury. In his personal injury work, Thomas has significant experience in claims for psychiatric and sexual abuse. He successfully resisted a limitation defence in a personal injury claim that centred on abuse by church elders some thirty years after the limitation period expired.

Thomas practices in Inquests and Public Inquiries. Between November 2023 to October 2024, he was instructed in the Thirlwall Inquiry as a member of the Counsel to the Inquiry Team. The Thirlwall Inquiry was set up to examine events at the Countess of Chester Hospital and their implications following the trial, and subsequent convictions, of former neonatal nurse Lucy Letby of murder and attempted murder of babies at the hospital.

Thomas’ commercial work is varied. He has advised and acted in several cases where there is an allegation of dishonesty. He has acted for both claimants and defendants in this context. Recently, he has advised on the recoverability of referral fees paid to intermediaries in a transaction worth circa £100m.

In the Family Court, Thomas acts regularly in public and private law proceedings involving allegations of serious harm and, he has experience of DoLS. Most recently, Thomas was granted permission to appeal in a private law dispute where the appeal centred on a finding of fact made by the trial judge.

In Criminal and Regulatory matters, Thomas prosecutes and defends. He has experience of financial crime including fraud, money laundering and proceeds of crime offences. Thomas has also conducted private prosecutions and secured orders for costs from central funds. Thomas advises and acts for regulated individuals who have had their fitness to practice investigated.