Thom’s practice concentrates on consumer, financial services and commercial matters. He regularly appears, both led and unled, at all levels of Court dealing with a range of specialist technical issues. In particular, those arising under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, Consumer Credit Act 1974 and Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. His clients include: national and international retailers across a range of sectors, banks, insurers, pensions providers, start-ups, local authorities, charities and regulators, as well as high net-worth individuals. Thom has been instructed in relation to all of the major consumer “mis-selling” scandals of the past 10 years including payment protection insurance (PPI), green energy/solar panels (ESG), self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) and timeshares/holiday products. He has also been retained in a number of high-profile judicial review claims giving rise to consumer and financial services issues on behalf of both claimants and defendants. In addition, Thom maintains a non-contentious advisory practice. He regularly advises on points of technical regulatory compliance for start-ups (including fintechs) and blue chip corporates launching new products. Thom is also frequently instructed to assist with due diligence in high-value debt-sale and securitisation transactions. Notable work includes: Beavis v Parking Eye Limited [2016] AC 1172 (penalties/unfair terms), Berkeley Burke litigation [2017–19] (SIPP mis-selling), Jackson v Ayles [2021] EWHC 995 (Ch) (FSMA “by way of business” test), R (Chadwin & Ors) v Financial Services Compensation Scheme [2021] EWHC 2523 (Admin) (causation on judicial review), and Stamp v Capital Home Loans Ltd [2024] EWHC 1092 (KB) (abuse of process/strike out).

Publications

Mis-Selling Financial Services (2nd ed.) (co-author); Encyclopedia of Banking Law (contributor); Consumer Credit Law & Regulation (2024); White Book 2024 (contributor)

 Called 2009 (Lincoln’s Inn)

Financial Services Lawyers Association; Advocate