23ES

Tomas Quinn has a busy practice defending individuals facing serious criminal allegations.

Prior to qualifying as a barrister, Tomas worked as a paralegal for a leading firm of Criminal Defence solicitors in London, where he qualified as a Police Station Accredited Representative and gained a broad experience of Criminal Proceedings, from arrest and interview, right through to trial. He has been on his feet as a barrister since 2007.

Recent cases as a junior alone have included serious violence, rape and sexual assaults, ‘county lines’ drugs conspiracies, gang stabbings, and the possession of firearms with intent to endanger life.

As led junior counsel, he has assisted King’s Counsel defending allegations of murder, and as junior counsel alone he has represented individuals charged with terrorism related offences, robbery, and violent disorder before the Central Criminal Court. He has a particular interest in the area of Firearms Law.

Appellate Work

Tomas regularly advises on appeal against conviction and sentence. He has had success in having permission granted by the Full Court in cases where the Single Judge initially refused  permission to appeal.

Court Martial Work

Tomas has defended cases in Germany, Portsmouth and the Catterick Garrison and, having served for ten years in a Cavalry unit in the Reserve Defence Forces in Ireland, he has a particular interest in Services related work. Prior to qualifying as a barrister, he worked as a paralegal assisting in the first war crimes trial held in the United Kingdom at the Salisbury Court Martial Centre.

Road Traffic Offences

Tomas regularly defends road traffic offences such as:

• Failing to respond to Section 172 Notices of intended Prosecution.
• Failing to name other drivers in the event of Prosecution.
• ‘Totting’ offences, where defendants fall to be disqualified by virtue of accruing points on their licence.
• ‘In Charge’ and ‘Driving whilst Unfit’ offences.
• Failing to provide evidential samples.
• Driving whilst Disqualified, Driving without Due Care, and Dangerous Driving.

He is particularly experienced in arguing ‘special reasons’ and ‘exceptional hardship’ to prevent the disqualification of drivers, or to minimise the length of time that drivers are disqualified for. In the event of disqualification or any adverse finding by the Court he is happy to provide clear and frank advice on the merit or grounds of any appeal.

Education 

• University of Wales, Aberystwyth - Bsc Econ, International Politics and Strategic Studies (2001)
• University of Wales, Aberystwyth - LLB (2003)
• Cardiff University - Bar Vocational Course (2005)