Tom McKail

Year of Call: 2017, Middle Temple

TMK
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Tom joins Chambers specialising in Criminal Defence & Regulatory Work. 

Qualifying as a Solicitor in Crime in 2009, with a full police station accreditation, Tom obtained his Higher Rights of Audience a year later in 2010 before transferring to the Criminal Bar in 2017. 

Crime

Tom has developed an extensive criminal practice ranging from appearances before the Magistrates Court and Youth Court, to the Crown Courts and Court of Appeal. 

Tom has been defending in criminal cases across a wide spectrum of offences such as serious violence (including murder & manslaughter), offensive weapons and firearms,  sexual offences, drugs, Arson with intent to endanger life, dishonesty & fraud offences, dangerous dog out of control, perverting the course of justice and public order offences. 

Tom regularly deals with complexed Proceeds of Crime matters following high value cases being concluded. 

Tom is noted for his confident and commanding advocacy style and detailed preparation of cases. 

Road Traffic

Tom accepts instructions in all areas of Road Traffic Law and has many years of experiences before the Magistrates & Crown Courts acting for clients advancing often technical and procedural arguments in this specialist field of law. 

Regulatory & Licensing

Tom has an advancing Professional Discipline practice that has included representing administrators in Health & Safety prosecutions following a fatality at work. 

Tom has appeared also at County & Magistrates Courts concerning anti-social behaviour, education & RSPCA cases.

Tom also has experience in acting for clients concerning Security industry Authority matters. 

Notable Cases

  • R v GB - Minshull Street Crown Court

    Crime

    Tom defended a female client with mental health issues in a trial concerning drug supply and possession of firearm to endanger life. Modern slavery defence was advanced. 

  • R v SW - Manchester Crown Court

    Crime

    Being led by a K.C., Tom’s 15 year old client charged with murder & manslaughter was acquitted following a 10-week trial that involved evidence concerning joint-enterprise, CCTV and telephone evidence. 

  • R v HF - Merthyr Tydfil/ Cardiff Crown Court

    Crime

    Tom was leading the case with another barrister which involved large scale supply of cocaine and heroin into South Wales over a series of three trials in which the Defendant eventually accepted a lesser role and received a considerably lower sentence than first anticipated that led to her immediate release. 

  • R v MR - Loughborough & Wolverhampton Crown Courts

    Crime

    Tom was led in a total of three trials in which the Defendant was acquitted of conspiracy to murder, manslaughter and finally sentenced for perverting the course of justice. The case involved a drive-by shooting with elements of joint-enterprise, cell siting, phone evidence all prevalent in the case. 

  • R v LH - Minshull Street Crown Court

    Crime

    Tom represented a client charged with making a false allegation of rape against a taxi driver in a contested trial that gained national news attention. 

  • R v FP - Hereford Crown Court

    Crime

    Successful half time submission of no case to answer on charges of robbery, section 18 & possession of a bladed article for a youth appearing alongside adults for trial. 

  • R v HO - St Albans Crown Court

    Crime

    Following a submission to exclude evidence under s78 PACE,  The Crown offered no evidence to the charges including fraud & theft. 

  • R v - MO - Liverpool Crown Court

    Crime

    Tom represented a young male charged with rape who was acquitted following trial of all charges. 

Professional Associations

  • Middle Temple Inn
  • Northern Circuit
  • Criminal Bar Association

Education

  • Diploma in Legal Practice (with accomodation) - The University of Sheffield.
  • Upper 2nd Class Degree LLB with Honours. The University of Sheffield,
  • Fakenham College