Practice overview

Tom has a strong commercial / chancery practice with particular emphasis on pensions, insolvency and commercial litigation and arbitration. He has been recommended as a leading junior by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for several years. Recent entries describe him as “incredibly tenacious”, “an excellent strategist and an extremely effective advocate” and note that he “has never appeared without having complete mastery of his papers and his arguments and is always quick on his feet. He also has a particular interest in regulatory proceedings and has been instructed by the Pensions Regulator, the FRC and the Dubai Financial Services Authority. He has appeared before the Court of Appeal as sole counsel and in the Supreme Court as well as the Dubai Court of First Instance and numerous tribunals.

He has been nominated as “Insolvency / Restructuring Junior of the Year” at the Chambers UK Bar Awards and was ‘highly commended’ in Legal Week’s “Stars at the Bar”. He currently co-edits Sweet & Maxwell’s “Kerr & Hunter on Receivership and Administration”.

His six-month placement with the commercial litigation department of a firm in Guernsey at the outset of his practice gave him experience of offshore litigation as well as direct exposure to a wide range of clients.

Commercial disputes

Thomas practises a range of commercial litigation, regulatory, and advisory work, including disputes regarding pension schemes, telecoms and information technology litigation, and other contractual disputes. Thomas has been involved in mediations both as junior and sole counsel.

Notable cases include:

  • St James’s Place Wealth Management plc v Dixon-Nutt [2023] EWHC 1431 (Comm). High Court consideration of how crystallised a dispute must be to engage the without prejudice rule.
  • Al-Subaihi v Al-Sanea [2022] EWCA Civ 1007 and [2022] EWCA Civ 1349. Court of Appeal judgments considering (i) the tests for imposing conditions on permission to appeal to the CA, and (ii) the presumption that a party in breach cannot rely on their own wrong . Sole counsel.
  • Dubai Financial Services Authority v KPMG [2021-2022]. Imposition of largest ever fine on auditors in Dubai, for failings relating to the audit of the Abraaj Group. Included consideration by DIFC Court of tests for private hearings in regulatory proceedings ([2022] DIFC CFI 008 & 007).
  • Instructed by the Financial Reporting Council on several confidential matters concerning audit failings in the UK.
  • Bellmare Holding Ltd v Wells [2020] IL Pr 39 and [2019] EWHC 703 (Ch). Application challenging jurisdiction under Article 5(3) of Lugano Convention. Acted at first instance and on appeal (judgment at [2020] I.L.Pr. 39, currently only reported judgment on where the harmful event occurred in cases of fraudulent misrepresentation repeated by third-parties).
  • Courtwood Holdings SA v Woodley Properties Ltd & Ors [2018] EWHC 2163 (Ch). Three week multimillion-pound knowing receipt trial in the Chancery Division. Sole Counsel for three of 12 Defendants.
  • Munroe K Limited & Anor v Bank of Scotland plc [2018] EWHC 3583 (Comm). Strike out raising limitation issues in context of claim for £50m damages for Libor manipulation and breach of duty in selling interest rate swaps.
  • Barker v Winter [2018] EWHC 1785. Quantification of damages for deceit. The case is now cited by McGregor on Damages as authority on calculating pecuniary loss in deceit cases.
  • CMHC v Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited (in Special Liquidation) [2017] 2 All ER (Comm) 781 (CA) and [2014] EWHC 23109 Ch. Dispute over the implication of a term in a facility agreement not to hinder an exit strategy agreed between lender and borrower. Led by Alan Gourgey KC, instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.
  • Hamilton-Smith & Wastell v CMS Cameron McKenna LLP [2016] EWHC 1115 (Ch). Anti-suit injunction in claim of professional negligence by insolvency practitioners against solicitors arising out of the liquidation of Stanford International Bank in Antigua. Instructed by Clyde & Co LLP.

Download Commercial disputes CV

  • Quote symbolAs well as having technical expertise, he always makes practical suggestions. Very accommodating and tremendously clever, he has a really calm and impactful manner in court.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAn absolute delight to work with, he is ferociously intelligent, very quick to grasp the detail, alive to commercial sensitivities and very personable and client friendly.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolTom is incredibly bright, always calm and eloquent, has a great team ethic and is an absolute fighter.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolA good strategist, his advice is well-judged and practical. He is also personable and precise.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolHe invests himself in all aspects of a case and is on top of all of the points from the get-go.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

Commercial disputes insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

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    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Guernsey Conference 2023

    Thursday 19th October 2023 | 3.30pm- 6.20pm, followed by a drinks reception
    The Old Government House Hotel & Spa, St Peter Port

    Free to attend | 2.0 CPD

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    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Jersey Conference 2023

    Wednesday 18th October 2023 | 3.30pm - 6.20pm, followed by a drinks reception
    Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa, St. Helier

    Free to attend | 2.0 CPD

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    News

    Dubai Financial Services Authority case features in BBC documentary

    The Dubai Financial Services Authority has fined KPMG LLP $1.5m and its former audit partner $500,000 for failings in the audit of Abraaj Capital Limited. This is the largest fine ever imposed on an auditor by the DFSA. It is... Read more

    Friday 27 January 2023

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    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Insolvency Conference 2022

    Wednesday 13 July 2022 | 12.20pm - 6pm, followed by drinks
    Convene (and online via Zoom), 22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ

    £120 + VAT | 4.0 CPD

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Thomas's expertise

Download Company law CV

Company law

Thomas has acted as sole and led counsel on company matters including petitions under s.994 of the Companies Act 2006. Thomas has also acted on cases concerning directors’ duties including proceedings under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

Notable cases:

  • Garnet Commerce Ltd v VRFB Holdings Ltd [2022] EWHC 481 (Ch). 6-day High Court trial over alleged breaches of JVA in connection with $30m fundraising for Austrian vanadium battery manufacturer.
  • Treetop Investment LLC v Falmouth House Freehold Company Ltd & Ors [2017] EWHC 674 (Ch). Successful resistance of appeal raising questions of issue estoppel and abuse of process in the context of petitions brought under s.994 of the Companies Act 2006. Permission to appeal had been granted on the grounds of (i) whether Henderson v Henderson abuse of process applied to allegations of continuing breaches of duty, and (ii) whether issue estoppel applied where earlier proceedings were struck out for non-compliance with court orders, without consideration of the merits. Neither ground was upheld.
  • Re Desmond & Sons Ltd [2015] Pens LR 1. Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber) decision concerning obligations of directors to maintain privilege on behalf of company once dissolved.
  • Healthcare Management Services Ltd v Caremark Properties Ltd [2013] BCC 484. Dispute over shareholder creditors’ rights to appoint administrators over their joint venture company.
  • Panayotov v Falmouth House Freehold Company Limited [2012] EWCA Civ 1174. Acted as sole counsel in successful resistance of appeal concerning proper construction of company documentation and agreements.

Download Company law CV

  • Quote symbolAs well as having technical expertise, he always makes practical suggestions. Very accommodating and tremendously clever, he has a really calm and impactful manner in court.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAn absolute delight to work with, he is ferociously intelligent, very quick to grasp the detail, alive to commercial sensitivities and very personable and client friendly.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolTom is incredibly bright, always calm and eloquent, has a great team ethic and is an absolute fighter.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolA good strategist, his advice is well-judged and practical. He is also personable and precise.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolHe invests himself in all aspects of a case and is on top of all of the points from the get-go.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

Company law insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

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    External Conferences

    Chancery Bar Association Geneva Conference

    Thursday 18th April 2024
    Novotel Geneve Centre, Geneva

    Speakers:
    Thomas Robinson

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    Publications

    Company Directors – Duties, Liabilities, and Remedies (new release and launch event)

    Lexa Hilliard KC | Thomas Robinson
    March 2024

    View more
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    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Insolvency Conference 2022

    Wednesday 13 July 2022 | 12.20pm - 6pm, followed by drinks
    Convene (and online via Zoom), 22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ

    £120 + VAT | 4.0 CPD

    View more
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    Articles

    Limitation and Deliberate Concealment after Canada Square v Potter [2021] EWCA CIV 339 (“Canada Square”)

    By Thomas Robinson
    Thursday 13 May 2021

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Thomas's expertise

Download Insolvency CV

Insolvency

Thomas practises a wide range of corporate and personal insolvency work. He is currently co-editing and contributing to a new edition of Kerr & Hunter on Receivers and Administrators. In corporate insolvency he acts for officeholders, creditors and companies. He advises on issues from the interpretation of CVAs to administration expenses to office-holder remuneration.

Notable cases include:

  • Re Broadsheet LLC (in liquidation) [2022-2023]. Isle of Man proceedings concerning the ranking of liquidation expenses in a $22m estate. Acted at first instance and on appeal.
  • Counsel General for Wales & Ors v Gareth Allen (as Official Receiver) & Ors (Re Baglan Operations Ltd) [2022] EWHC 647 (Ch). Successful challenge to decision of Official Receiver to terminate electricity supply to flood defences in Wales. Considers the “perversity” test in s.168(5) IA86 and the role of environmental factors in a liquidator’s decision-making over whether to continue trading a business. Discusses whether OR is a public authority under the HRA for these purposes. Now on appeal to Court of Appeal.
  • Elser v Sands & Others [2022] EWHC 32 (Ch). Successful challenge to a £13m IVA under s.262 IA 1986, challenging admission of three creditor claims. Considers, among other issues, where the burden of proof lies on a creditor’s application.
  • Claims Direct plc v Hinton [2021] EWHC 1613. Successful appeal from rejection of proof of debt based on £9.75m deceit claim.
  • Nimat Halal Food Ltd v Patel [2020] EWHC 734 (Ch). Considering the test for personal costs orders against administrators in relation to adjudications on proofs of debt.
  • Courtwood Holdings SA v Woodley Properties Ltd & Ors [2018] EWHC 2163 (Ch). Three week multimillion-pound knowing receipt trial in context of fixed charge receivership of property assets.
  • Fieldfisher LLP v Pennyfeathers Limited [2016] EWHC 566 (Ch). Successful resistance of administration application on basis that the alleged debt was subject to an arbitration clause, and thus Salford Estates (No.2) Ltd v Altomart Ltd [2014] EWCA Civ 1575 applied by analogy.
  • Hamilton-Smith v CMS Cameron McKenna LLP [2016] EWHC 1115 (Ch). Anti-suit injunction relating to claims arising from the liquidation of Stanford International Bank in Antigua. Instructed by the former officeholders.
  • Re Nortel GmbH and Others [2014] AC 209, [2013] UKSC 52 & [2011] EWCA Civ 1124 & [2010] EWHC 3010. Successful resistance of application by administrators of Nortel and Lehman Brothers in the High Court for declaration that an FSD and CN issued under Pensions Act 2004 to insolvent companies did not give rise to any right to recovery. Briggs J. held they gave rise to administration expenses which was upheld by Court of Appeal in October 2011. In July 2013 the Supreme Court decided that FSDs give rise to provable debts. Listed by the Lawyer in their ‘Top 20 cases of 2012’.

Download Insolvency CV

  • Quote symbolTom is a leading figure for insolvency and pensions litigation, an overlap which comes up time and time again. A good strategist, his advice is well-judged and practical.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolAs well as having technical expertise, he always makes practical suggestions. Very accommodating and tremendously clever, he has a really calm and impactful manner in court.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAn absolute delight to work with, he is ferociously intelligent, very quick to grasp the detail, alive to commercial sensitivities and very personable and client friendly.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolTom is incredibly bright, always calm and eloquent, has a great team ethic and is an absolute fighter.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolHe invests himself in all aspects of a case and is on top of all of the points from the get-go.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

Insolvency insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

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    External Conferences

    Chancery Bar Association Geneva Conference

    Thursday 18th April 2024
    Novotel Geneve Centre, Geneva

    Speakers:
    Thomas Robinson

    View more
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    Publications

    Company Directors – Duties, Liabilities, and Remedies (new release and launch event)

    Lexa Hilliard KC | Thomas Robinson
    March 2024

    View more
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    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Insolvency Conference & Dinner 2024

    Thursday 1st February 2024 | 12.30pm - 5.55pm, followed by drinks and dinner
    The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, London

    £130 - £185 + VAT | 4 CPD

    View more
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    News

    Dubai Financial Services Authority case features in BBC documentary

    The Dubai Financial Services Authority has fined KPMG LLP $1.5m and its former audit partner $500,000 for failings in the audit of Abraaj Capital Limited. This is the largest fine ever imposed on an auditor by the DFSA. It is... Read more

    Friday 27 January 2023

    View more

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International arbitration

Tom’s international arbitration practice includes disputes under the LCIA and ICC Rules, and applications to challenge arbitration awards under the Arbitration Act 1996.

Recent experience:

  • WSB v FOL [2022] EWHC 586 (Comm). challenges to a JAMS arbitration award under ss.67, 68 and 69 AA 1996, including how such challenges interact with the new Commercial Court Guide and Civil Procedure Rules.
  • Quaestus Capital Pte Ltd v Union Pacific Capital Ltd [2021] 11 WLUK 449. Successful resistance of Claimant’s application to vary an order obtained under s.44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in support of a $13m loan dispute. Issues included relationship between parallel proceedings in England, Hong Kong and Bahamas, and role of non-party custodians.
  • Acting on challenges under s.67, s.68 and s.69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 to a JAMS Arbitration Award concerning rights to collateral under $45m loan agreement.
  • Acting for Middle Eastern state gas company as part of a three-counsel team in an ICC Arbitration in Geneva arising out of long term gas supply contracts. Claims circa $5bn.
  • Advising on ICC Arbitration arising out of Joint Operating Agreement for exploration and development of petroleum operations in the Middle East.
  • Fieldfisher LLP v Pennyfeathers Limited [2016] EWHC 566 (Ch). Successful resistance of administration application on basis that the alleged debt was subject to an arbitration agreement. Issues included the effect of a prior arbitration and of the arbitration agreement.
  • An arbitration of a dispute arising out of property surveying in the UK, under LCIA Rules

Tom has also written and spoken on the interrelationship of arbitration and insolvency.

Download International arbitration CV

  • Quote symbolAs well as having technical expertise, he always makes practical suggestions. Very accommodating and tremendously clever, he has a really calm and impactful manner in court.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAn absolute delight to work with, he is ferociously intelligent, very quick to grasp the detail, alive to commercial sensitivities and very personable and client friendly.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolTom is incredibly bright, always calm and eloquent, has a great team ethic and is an absolute fighter.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolA good strategist, his advice is well-judged and practical. He is also personable and precise.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolHe invests himself in all aspects of a case and is on top of all of the points from the get-go.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

International arbitration insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

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    Events / Webinars

    WATCH: Arbitration Breakfast Briefing: Arbitrability, admissibility and jurisdiction

    Tuesday 13 July 2021 | 9am - 10am
    Online, Zoom

    1.0 CPD

    View more

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Domestic arbitration

Tom has represented clients at mediations and forms of ADR both as sole counsel and as part of a wider team. These include mediations offshore, as well as in the UK. Recent successful mediations have included banking disputes, proceedings seeking financial support for a pension scheme, and actions for breach of directors’ duties.

Tom has also acted in domestic arbitrations, and has been instructed in applications to challenge arbitration awards under the Arbitration Act 1996.

Recent relevant experience includes:

  • Acting on challenges under s.67, s.68 and s.69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 to a JAMS Arbitration Award concerning rights to collateral under $45m loan agreement.
  • Fieldfisher LLP v Pennyfeathers Limited [2016] EWHC 566 (Ch). Successful resistance of administration application on basis that the alleged debt was subject to an arbitration agreement. Issues included the effect of a prior arbitration and of the arbitration agreement.
  • An arbitration of a dispute arising out of property surveying in the UK, under LCIA Rules.

Tom has also written and spoken on the interrelationship between arbitration and insolvency.

Download Domestic arbitration CV

  • Quote symbolAs well as having technical expertise, he always makes practical suggestions. Very accommodating and tremendously clever, he has a really calm and impactful manner in court.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAn absolute delight to work with, he is ferociously intelligent, very quick to grasp the detail, alive to commercial sensitivities and very personable and client friendly.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolTom is incredibly bright, always calm and eloquent, has a great team ethic and is an absolute fighter.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolA good strategist, his advice is well-judged and practical. He is also personable and precise.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolHe invests himself in all aspects of a case and is on top of all of the points from the get-go.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

Domestic arbitration insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

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    Events / Webinars

    WATCH: Arbitration Breakfast Briefing: Arbitrability, admissibility and jurisdiction

    Tuesday 13 July 2021 | 9am - 10am
    Online, Zoom

    1.0 CPD

    View more

View all thought leadership View all events

Thomas's expertise

Download Pensions CV

Pensions

Thomas acts across a wide range of pensions matters, on behalf of scheme trustees, scheme members, employers and bodies such as the PPF and Pensions Regulator. He has advised on matters from the operation of section 67 of the Pensions Act 1995 and section 37 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 to trustees’ duties and the PPF Levy.

He has a particular interest in the interplay between pensions and insolvency law, and has written on this topic for pensions and insolvency publications. He frequently advises insolvency practitioners in relation to pensions issues. He is also instructed on rectification matters, both as sole counsel and as part of a team (for example acting in 2018 for the representative beneficiary in a claim by Honda Motor Europe Ltd to rectify scheme documentation from 1986).

Described by The Legal 500 as “one of the best pensions regulatory lawyers in the field“, he has been instructed by the Pensions Regulator in complex multi-jurisdictional commercial cases seeking Financial Support Directions (FSD) and Contribution Notices (CN) under the Pensions Act 2004, raising issues of commercial and insolvency law. These include Silentnight, MG Rover, Nortel Networks, Lehman Brothers, Michel van de Wiele NV (“Bonas”), Carrington Wire and Desmond & Sons Limited. Tom has appeared before the Regulator’s Determinations Panel, the Upper Tribunal, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court as a result of these instructions. He has also been instructed as counsel to the Determinations Panel of the Pensions Regulator, including in cases concerning skilled persons reports under s.71 of the Pensions Act 2004, the removal of scheme trustees, and in the ‘Box Clever’ case.

Separately, Tom has advised other parties to “moral hazard” investigations, and acted for trustees and companies more generally in relation to pension scheme matters.

Notable cases:

  • Newell Trustees Ltd [2024] – Successful defence of a process to convert members’ final salary benefits to money purchase benefits in 1992, subject to an underpin. Considers the construction and application of Courage provisos, formation and operation of extrinsic contracts, use of interim deeds, and a claim of unlawful age discrimination. Led by Paul Newman KC.
  • Silentnight Group DB pension scheme [2021]. Acting for TPR in this long-running investigation into the pre-pack sale of the business and assets of Silentnight in 2011 and its impact on the pension scheme. Case sought contribution notices against members and executives of US private equity house. Settled for £25m in March 2021.
  • Axminster Carpets [2021]. Acting (with Henry Legge KC) for trustee in Part 8 proceedings concerning s.37 Pension Schemes Act 1993, limitation periods applicable to member claims for arrears, and validity and scope of forfeiture powers. Judgment at Punter Southall Governance Services v Hazlett [2021] EWHC 1652 (Ch).
  • Re Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund [2020]. Acting for directors of a corporate trustee in opposition to an application by the Pensions Regulator to appoint an independent trustee to the Fund.
  • Re Chas A. Blatchford & Sons Pension Scheme [2019] EWHC 2743 (Ch). First pensions rectification case to consider the Court of Appeal’s guidance in FSHC on rectification for common mistake.
  • ARG Realisations 2016 Ltd v Stuart [2019] EWHC 1265 (Ch). Part 8 Rectification claim, with consideration of use of confidential opinions by the court.
  • R (on the application of Grace Bay II Holdings SARL and others) v The Pensions Regulator [2017] EWHC 7 (Admin), [2017] All ER (D) 29 (Jan). Application for Judicial Review of decision by the Pensions Regulator to issue a second Warning Notice in the Silentnight case. Application successfully resisted on grounds of alternative remedy.
  • Ongoing instructions in regulatory investigations that remain confidential at present.
  • Re Carrington Wire DB Pension Scheme. Successful pursuit of Contribution Notice against individual under “material detriment test” of s.38A PA 04, and settlement of £8.5m with Russian owners of UK wire company. March 2015. Acted for Pensions Regulator.
  • Re MG Rover Group Limited. Regulatory proceedings seeking FSD. Case settled in 2014.
  • Re Desmond & Sons Limited [2010-2015]. First issue of CN to individuals, in sum of £1m, from use of MVL to trigger employer debt to pension scheme. Acted for Pensions Regulator at hearing before Determinations Panel, Upper Tribunal (2010 and 2014) and in the Court of Appeal (Northern Ireland, 2012). Listed for 3-week hearing in May 2015. Settled during week one.
  • Re Storm Funding (in administration) [2014] Bus L R 454; [2014] Pens LR 73, [2013] EWHC 4019 (Ch). Considered issues including the Parliamentary intention of the FSD regime and the insolvency rule against “double dipping”. Acted for the Pensions Regulator with Raquel Agnello KC and Jonathan Hilliard KC.
  • Re Nortel GmbH and Others [2014] AC 209, [2013] UKSC 52 & [2011] EWCA Civ 1124 & [2010] EWHC 3010. Successful resistance of application by administrators of Nortel and Lehman Brothers in the High Court for declaration that an FSD and CN issued under Pensions Act 2004 to insolvent companies did not give rise to any right to recovery. Briggs J. held they gave rise to administration expenses which was upheld by Court of Appeal in October 2011. In July 2013 the Supreme Court decided that FSDs give rise to provable debts. Listed by the Lawyer in their ‘Top 20 cases of 2012’.
  • Trustees of Lehman Brothers Pension Scheme v Pensions Regulator [2013] 4 All ER 744; [2012] 085 PBLR (040). Court of Appeal and Upper Tribunal considered for the first time the scope of the Regulator’s power to issue FSD. Led by Raquel Agnello KC.
  • Box Clever. Decision of the Determinations Panel to issue FSD to members of ITV Group, see 26.1.12. Acted for Determinations Panel of the Pensions Regulator (2012).
  • Michel van de Wiele (“Bonas”). First decision of the Upper Tribunal concerning the exercise of the Pensions Regulator’s moral hazard powers. Acted for the Regulator on the target’s unsuccessful application to strike out the Regulator’s case (2011).

Download Pensions CV

  • Quote symbolThomas really is outstanding. His knowledge of pensions regulatory law is first-rate, and his additional insolvency expertise is very valuable."

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolTom is a leading figure for insolvency and pensions litigation, an overlap which comes up time and time again. A good strategist, his advice is well-judged and practical.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolAs well as having technical expertise, he always makes practical suggestions. Very accommodating and tremendously clever, he has a really calm and impactful manner in court.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAn absolute delight to work with, he is ferociously intelligent, very quick to grasp the detail, alive to commercial sensitivities and very personable and client friendly.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolTom is incredibly bright, always calm and eloquent, has a great team ethic and is an absolute fighter.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

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    Recent Cases

    Judgment handed down in Newell Trustees Ltd v Newell Rubbermaid UK Services Ltd

    Pensions

    Paul Newman KC | Thomas Robinson
    Tuesday 23 January 2024

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    Events / Webinars

    Nugee Memorial Pensions Conference & Dinner 2023

    Wednesday 21st June 2023 | 12.30pm - 5.55pm, followed by drinks and dinner by Nobu
    Nobu Shoreditch Hotel & Restaurant

    £175 for conference & dinner / £125 for conference only | 3.5 CPD

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    Articles

    Pensions law and the Sequana decision

    In this article, Tom Robinson considers the lessons that the 2022 Supreme Court decision in BTI 2014 LLC v Sequana has for pension practitioners, and in particular the question of directors’ duties in relation to uncertain/future pensions debts. This article... Read more

    By Thomas Robinson
    Thursday 18 May 2023

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    External Conferences

    North East APL Seminar

    Tuesday 6th December 2022
    Leeds

    Speakers:
    David Pollard | Edward Sawyer | Thomas Robinson | Jennifer Seaman | Joseph Steadman

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Professional liability

Tom is instructed on professional liability claims including against insolvency practitioners, solicitors and trustees of pension schemes, as well as other professionals engaged in his practice areas of pensions, insolvency and commercial litigation.

He was recently instructed on a claim against pension scheme trustees and their advisers in relation to the treatment of a debt under section 75 of the Pensions Act 1995.

He was led by Lexa Hilliard KC and Elspeth Talbot-Rice KC in the case of Stanford Bank v Nigel Hamilton Smith, Peter Wastel & Anr, acting on behalf of the former joint liquidators of Stanford Bank, Antigua, in connection with a negligence claim that has been issued against them in Antigua by the Bank, acting by the current joint liquidators. The matter included an anti-suit injunction hearing in London ([2016] EWHC 1115 (Ch)) and hearings in Antigua.

He has acted for and against administrators facing claims of misfeasance, including for decisions to trade during administration.

He has also acted in relation to claims against pension scheme trustees for breach of duty, including claims seeking their removal under the Pensions Act 1995 and claims under s.16 of the Pensions Act 2004 alleging misuse and misapplication of scheme assets.

Download Professional liability CV

  • Quote symbolAs well as having technical expertise, he always makes practical suggestions. Very accommodating and tremendously clever, he has a really calm and impactful manner in court.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAn absolute delight to work with, he is ferociously intelligent, very quick to grasp the detail, alive to commercial sensitivities and very personable and client friendly.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolTom is incredibly bright, always calm and eloquent, has a great team ethic and is an absolute fighter.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolA good strategist, his advice is well-judged and practical. He is also personable and precise.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolHe invests himself in all aspects of a case and is on top of all of the points from the get-go.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

Professional liability insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

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    Events / Webinars

    Professional Liability Conference: Unravelling the Causation Knot

    Wednesday 31 January 2018 | 8:30am -1.10pm followed by lunch and refreshments
    The Brewery, 52 Chiswell St, London EC1Y 4SD

    £75 + VAT | 3.5 CPD

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Thomas's Details

BSB/VAT information

Registered name: Mr Thomas James Daniell Robinson
VAT number: 855440519

Privacy Notice pdf

Qualifications and Appointments

  • One of three nominees for Restructuring / Insolvency Junior of the Year, Chambers Bar Awards, 2013
  • “Highly commended” in Legal Week’s “Stars at the Bar”, 2013
  • MA (Hons) Corpus Christi College Oxford
  • Hardwicke Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
  • Judicial Assistant to Dyson LJ, 2005

Memberships

  • Association of Pension Lawyers
  • Insolvency Lawyers Association
  • Chancery Bar Association

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