Ben Thomas > Park Square Barristers > Leeds, England > Barrister Profile

Ben Thomas

0113 2459763

Work Department

Criminal and Regulatory & Public

Position

Crime

Ben has a strong practice in all areas of criminal law. He has s successful and busy defence practice and is also a CPS Level Three Prosecutor. He has appeared as a led junior for both the prosecution and the defence in the full range of criminal work. He has experience of conducting paperless trials and presenting cases to juries electronically.

His practice encompasses the full range of criminal law, including sexual offences, serious violent offences, firearms and drug trafficking. He has a particular expertise in complex and paper heavy fraud work and is regularly instructed in such matters. Having been previously instructed as prosecution junior in a series of paper heavy mortgage frauds he has considerable experience in dealing with disclosure of unused material, Section 8 applications and issues regarding PII and intelligence. He therefore has a particular interest in defending in such cases. Ben also has a strong interest in human rights and civil liberties and has successfully defended in prosecutions brought following demonstration and protests.

Ben has also appeared before the Court Martial in respect of defence of service personal and is happy to travel in the United Kingdom and abroad in respect of such proceedings.

Ben is experienced in defending applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act He has been instructed to represent Defendants and interveners in the Crown Court solely in respect of Proceeds of Crime Act applications.  He has experience of dealing with applications to vary restraint orders, receivership applications, applications to vary confiscation orders and enforcement proceedings.

Ben is happy to accept instructions from all over the country and has appeared in courts across the whole of England and Wales. He always advises in writing on receipt of instructions and throughout the proceedings. He is happy to travel to attend for conferences at convenient locations for clients.

Regulatory & Public

Ben Thomas is a C-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate.

Ben has considerable experience of prosecuting regulatory offences on behalf of local authorities for the full range of regulatory offences including health and safety act offences, unauthorised demolition, breach of hygiene improvement notices and breach of enforcement notices. He has represented local authorities in relation to appeals against abatement notices.  He is currently instructed to advise in respect of a potential prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which arises out of a fatal accident. He also has experience of taxi licensing appeals for both Appellants and the Respondent. He is regularly asked to advice in relation to new legislation and regulations.  He is always happy to assist with advice, whether in writing or in conference

Ben has represented Defendants prosecuted by the Environment Agency and by the local authorities for offences relating to waste disposal and breaches of tree preservation orders. He has also prosecuted cases on behalf of DEFRA and successfully defended in prosecutions bought by rail companies.  Ben has been instructed to defend in applications brought by the police for Gang Related Violence Injunctions and also has experience of representing defendant’s facing committal to prison for breach of these injunctions. He has considerable experience in defending applications for forfeiture of cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and applications under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. He has also appeared at parole board hearings

Ben has been instructed as independent counsel in relation to reviewing material and advising in respect of Legal Professional Privilege for both the Police and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

Career

Call 2010

Appointments:
2016
CPS Level-3 prosecutor

2019
List C of the Panel of Specialist Regulatory Advocates

Memberships

North Eastern Circuit
Criminal Bar Association
Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association
Liberty

Education

2008
University of York, BA (Hons) History

2009
College of Law, PgDip Law

2010
College of Law, BVC (Outstanding)