Thomas Stanway

Thomas Stanway, Park Square Barristers
Year of call:

2012 (Door tenant)

Education:

2010 - University of Birmingham, LLB (Hons)

2012 - Cardiff University, BPTC (‘Outstanding’)

Career:

2012-2014 - Advocate at LPC Law

2014 - Pupil at Sovereign Chambers

2015 - Sovereign Chambers becomes Park Square Barristers Tenant at Park Square Barristers

Appointments:

2014 - Trainer of expert witnesses for West Yorkshire Police

2018 - Grade 2 Prosecutor

2019 - List C of the Panel of Specialist Regulatory Advocates

Memberships:

Criminal Bar Association

Awards:

Wales & Chester Circuit Achievement Award for highest overall grade on the BPTC (Cardiff University) Ann Goddard Scholarship (Gray’s Inn)

Thomas Stanway has a busy Crown Court practice and is regularly instructed by both the prosecution and defence. Thomas’ potential has been noted at an early stage and he is often instructed in matters beyond his level of call. His practice covers a full spectrum of offences from serious sexual and violent offending to road traffic offences.

Thomas prides himself on his approachable style ensuring clients are at ease and informed of the proceedings they face. He has experience of questioning both young and vulnerable witnesses and has completed the Inns of Court “Vulnerable Witnesses Advocacy Training”.

Thomas has a thorough working knowledge of Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and is regularly instructed in matters concerning confiscation and asset restraint.

Notable Cases

  • R v Cooper – Lincoln Crown Court: 7 day trial involving a registered nurse, forgery and the theft of ampoules of morphine from the hospital controlled drugs cabinet. The trial involved the cross examination of a handwriting expert and the consideration of substantial quantities of hospital records. Notwithstanding the guilty verdict, successfully obtained a suspended sentence order.
  • R v Richmond – Leeds Crown Court: Successfully defended a Defendant charged with assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
  • R v Hargrave – Grimsby Magistrates’ Court: Successfully defended a Headteacher accused of assaulting one of his pupils. The 2 day trial concerned the use of “reasonable force” pursuant to Section 93 Education and Inspections Act 2006 and also involved the cross examination of the 7 year old Complainant.
  • R v Bell – Bradford Crown Court: Successfully defended a Defendant charged with breaching a Restraining Order that prohibited him from pestering his ex-partner via social media. The 2 day trial involved a considerable factual background and close scrutiny of multiple Twitter accounts.
  • R v Ntandoyenkosi – Leeds Crown Court: Successfully overturned a conviction from Wakefield Magistrates’ Court concerning one charge of failing to provide a sample breath when required to do so. The appeal involved the consideration of medical evidence and expert psychiatric evidence which supported the Appellant’s contention that she had suffered a panic attack at the relevant time.
  • R v Hallgarth – Lincoln Crown Court: Successfully defended the manager of a sheltered housing complex alleged to have defrauded one of the residents. The trial involved scrutiny of the Amazon customer interface and its payment processes. Further, it included challenging expert evidence from Amazon and the consideration of a significant quantity of purchasing records.
  • R v Heyes – Court of Appeal: Successfully appealed the Defendant’s sentence for various sexual offences. When reducing the sentence from 10 years to 6 years 8 months, the Lord Justices commended the advice/grounds of appeal that Thomas had drafted.

Public Access

Thomas may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Contact Thomas’ clerks

Andrew Thornton on 0113 213 5202

Gina Hawkins on 0113 213 5205

Rebecca Wilson on 0113 213 5203

Hannah Dempsey on 0113 213 5211

Elaine Foster-Morgan on 0113 213 5217

Robyn Nichol on 0113 213 5253

 

 Thomas has a growing civil fraud practice and is regularly instructed in claims involving low velocity impacts, bogus passengers, exaggerated personal injury and contrived accidents. Thomas has extensive experience of providing robust advice at an early stage even prior to pleadings being drafted. He recognises the importance of an effective case strategy to improve the prospects of strike out and discontinuance.

Thomas regularly drafts pleadings covering all aspects of civil fraud and is able to work to tight timescales where a quick turnaround is required.

Thomas conducts trials on the multi, fast and small claims track involving contrived accidents, low velocity impacts and exaggerated credit hire and personal injury. He is often commended for his attention to detail and the robust manner in which he defends cases. Thomas never loses sight of the best possible outcome for the client whether it be strike out, discontinuance or a finding of fundamental dishonesty.

Notable Cases

  • Nigel Higgs v UK Insurance (Fast Track Trial) – Lincoln County Court: Successfully defended a claim for personal injuries whilst also securing a finding of “fundamental dishonesty”. In addition to scrutinising the circumstances of the accident, the trial also involved the consideration of telephone calls the Claimant had received shortly after the collision. The successful application for a finding of “fundamental dishonesty” resulted in the Defendant obtaining an enforceable costs order in excess of £8000.
  • Winyard Motor Company v Ben Mahoney – Teesside County Court: Successfully defended a claim for vehicle damage. The Defendant alleged that no damage was caused to the Claimant’s vehicle and therefore any claim was fraudulent. The trial involved an in depth analysis of numerous photographs exhibited within the bundle and a dispute as to when they were taken. Recorder Hedworth QC dismissed the claim concluding that the Claimant’s evidence “distinctly lacked credibility”.
  • Hall v Sandilands (Fast Track Trial) – Teesside County Court. Successfully defended a contrived personal injury claim whilst also securing a finding of fundamental dishonesty. The successful application for a finding of fundamental dishonesty ensured that the client obtained a significant enforceable costs order.
  • Ali and Others v Saimnieks (Multi Track Claim) – Wolverhampton County Court. Successfully defended a “slam on” claim involving 4 claimants. Successfully amended the pleadings to plead fraud including an allegation of exaggerated injury. Ultimately, the claim was dismissed pursuant to Section 57 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 for exaggerated injury. The client was awarded its costs in full on an indemnity basis.

Public Access

Thomas may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Contact Thomas’ clerks

Senior Clerk – Andy Reeves on 0113 213 5252

Talia Webster on 0113 202 8609

Joshua Duree on 0113 213 5246

Mike Alexander on 0113 2135268

Ben Ellison-Tope on 0113 2135207

Thomas Stanway has extensive experience of Personal Injury claims in the County Court acting for both Claimants and Defendants. His experience includes:

  • Trials on the Small Claims, Fast and Multi Track
  • Disposal Hearings
  • Case Management Conferences
  • Costs Case Management Conferences
  • Interlocutory Applications
  • Pre Trial Reviews

Thomas accepts instructions to draft pleadings, advices on quantum and/or liability. He will work to tight timescales where a quick turnaround is required.

Notable Case

  • Nigel Higgs v UK Insurance (Fast Track Trial) – Lincoln County Court: Successfully defended a claim for personal injuries whilst also securing a finding of “fundamental dishonesty”. In addition to scrutinising the circumstances of the accident, the trial also involved the consideration of telephone calls the Claimant had received shortly after the collision. The successful application for a finding of “fundamental dishonesty” resulted in the Defendant obtaining an enforceable costs order in excess of £8000.
  • Hall v Sandilands (Fast Track Trial) – Teeside County Court. Successfully defended a contrived personal injury claim whilst also securing a finding of fundamental dishonesty. The successful application for a finding of fundamental dishonesty ensured that the client obtained a significant enforceable costs order.
  • Ali and Others v Saimnieks (Multi Track Claim) – Wolverhampton County Court. Successfully defended a “slam on” claim involving 4 claimants. Successfully amended the pleadings to plead fraud including an allegation of exaggerated injury. Ultimately the claim was dismissed pursuant to Section 57 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 for exaggerated injury. The client was awarded its costs in full on an indemnity basis.

Public Access

Thomas may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Contact Thomas’ clerks

Senior Clerk – Andy Reeves on 0113 213 5252

Talia Webster on 0113 202 8609

Joshua Duree on 0113 213 5246

Mike Alexander on 0113 2135268

Ben Ellison-Tope on 0113 2135207

Thomas Stanway has extensive experience of the County Court acting for both Claimants and Defendants in a wide range of hearings including:

  • Trials on the Small Claims, Fast and Multi-Track
  • Disposal Hearings
  • Case Management Conferences
  • Costs Case Management Conferences
  • Interlocutory Applications
  • Pre Trial Reviews
  • Insolvency Proceedings

Thomas also has experience of the High Court having conducted varying appeals against both interlocutory and final decisions.

Thomas accepts instructions to draft pleadings, advices on quantum and/or liability. He will work to tight timescales where a quick turnaround is required.

Prior to Pupillage, Thomas appeared in the County Court on a daily basis acting as Solicitor’s Agent. As a result, he has a broad knowledge of Landlord and Tenant disputes, Debt Recovery and Enforcement proceedings, Insolvency and Consumer Credit Law.

Public Access

Thomas may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Contact Thomas’ clerks

Senior Clerk – Andy Reeves on 0113 213 5252

Talia Webster on 0113 202 8609

Joshua Duree on 0113 213 5246

Mike Alexander on 0113 2135268

Ben Ellison-Tope on 0113 2135207

Thomas accepts instructions to advise, draft and represent clients in relation to all aspects of employment law including Unfair and Constructive Dismissal, Redundancy, Discrimination, and Breach of Contract.

Public Access

Thomas may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Contact Thomas’ clerks

Senior Clerk – Andy Reeves on 0113 213 5252

Talia Webster on 0113 202 8609

Joshua Duree on 0113 213 5246

Mike Alexander on 0113 2135268

Ben Ellison-Tope on 0113 2135207

Thomas Stanway is a C-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate.

Thomas has considerable experience of prosecuting a range of regulatory offences on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, HMRC, police forces and local councils. Due to his experience in this area, Thomas has even conducted training on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive assisting specialist inspectors when giving evidence. He is regularly instructed in appeals concerning the revocation of firearms and shotgun licences.

Thomas’ experience is not confined prosecution work. Thomas is regularly instructed to defend in cases involving regulatory offences. More specifically, Thomas has considerable experience in cases involving Food Hygiene Law and the complex European Union regulations governing such matters.

Thomas also specialises in taxi licensing law; having prosecuted and defended in numerous cases involving decisions to refuse, revoke or suspend the licences of taxi drivers.

Thomas has also gained extensive experience in all aspects of prison law. He is regularly instructed to defend clients at Parole Board hearings and Adjudication hearings.

Thomas completed his pupillage under the supervision of Robert Stevenson; a specialist in this area.

Notable Cases

  • Chief Inspector of Lancashire Constabulary v Berkins – Preston Crown Court: Successfully resisted an appeal concerning the revocation of two shotgun licences. Advised from the outset as to evidential difficulties and later concerning a PII Application. Thereafter, the Appellant sought to state the case to the High Court and sought permission to Judicially Review the court’s dismissal. Thomas drafted the grounds of opposition for both applications which were dismissed and the Lancashire Constabulary was awarded its costs.
  • Trafford Council v Alan Alexander and David Galloway – Manchester Magistrates’ Court: Successfully prosecuted the builders of a residential extension pursuant to Section 35 of the Building Act 1984. The building work was rectified and the Defendants were sentenced to a financial penalty totalling £3750.
  • York City Council v Kyle Farrell – York Magistrates’ Court: Successfully prosecution for fly tipping pursuant to Section 33 Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Defendant was sentenced to a fine and costs.
  • Yorkshire Water v Angus Heron Ltd – Successfully defended a charge pursuant to Section 174(3) Water Industry Act 1991. The Defendant company was alleged to have used a standpipe without authorisation on a number of occasions. The Defendant was acquitted and a Defence Costs Order was granted.
  • Leeds City Council v Manzoor Shah – Leeds Magistrates’ Court: Represented the owner of a small business alleged to have breached various food hygiene regulations. Negotiated a basis of plea with the Council whilst ensuring that Mr Shah was not subject to a prohibition order; enabling him to continue his business.
  • Khalid Iqbal v Kirklees Council – Kirklees Magistrates’ Court: Successfully resisted an appeal brought by Mr Iqbal challenging the revocation of his Hackney Carriage Licence.
  • Re Cainan Jerome – HMP Leeds: Successfully sought parole for a detainee whose licence had been revoked due to new offences.

Public Access

Thomas may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Contact Thomas’ clerk

Madeleine Gray on 0113 202 8603

Patrick Urbina on 0113 213 5250

Imogen Brown on 0113 2135225