Practice Overview
Tom specialises in all areas of the law relating to children, including public and private law proceedings, adoption, child abduction, and cases concerning donor-conceived children, and judicial review. He regularly appears in complex, high profile or groundbreaking cases, including those with international elements or novel legal issues. He has been instructed at all levels of court, including the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Tom was shortlisted for Young Family Law Barrister of the Year in 2017 and for Junior Family Law Barrister of the Year in 2020. He is described by Chambers and Partners as ‘a rising star and silk of the future’, 'a superstar in the making', and 'an exceptional barrister'.
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Children (Public Law)
Tom acts in care, adoption and other public law proceedings, representing parents, local authorities, children and other family members.
Tom is regularly instructed in complex cases, including those involving allegations of non-accidental injury, child death, sexual abuse and radicalisation. He has appeared in the Family Court, High Court and Court of Appeal, both alone and as a led junior.
Tom is also regularly instructed to advise and act in both domestic and international adoption proceedings, including many of the recent decisions concerning applications to revoke an adoption order.
Notable cases in which Tom has appeared include:
Re Z (Infant Fatality) [2024] EWHC 618
K v Maya & Anor [2023] EWHC 293
Re A (Children) (Pool of perpetrators) [2022] EWCA Civ 1348
Re G (Adoption; Notice Under s35 ACA 2002; Revocation of Placement Order) [2021] EWFC 93
Newman v Southampton City Council & Ors [2021] EWCA Civ 437
AX v BX & Ors (Revocation of Adoption Order) [2021] EWHC 1121
Re R (Leave to Oppose The Making of an Adoption Order) [2020] EWFC 97
Prospective Adopters v Sheffield City Council [2020] EWHC 2783 (Fam)
Re T (A Child: Refusal of Adoption Order) [2020] EWCA Civ 797
Re X (Revocations of Testamentary Guardianship) [2020] EWFC 50
LR v A Local Authority & Ors (Application to Terminate Appointment of Guardian) [2019] EWFC 49
A Local Authority v M & Ors (Placement Order) [2019] EWFC 50
ZH v HS & Ors (Application to Revoke Adoption Order) [2019] EWHC 2190 (Fam)
Re RP (A Child) (Foster Carers Appeal) [2019] EWCA Civ 525
Re TG (A Child: Future Care Arrangements) [2017] EWFC 85
In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case O) [2016] EWHC 2273 (Fam)
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Children (Private Law)
Tom acts for parents, children and other relatives across all private law matters concerning children. He has a wealth of experience in child arrangements disputes, including those involving complex issues such as implacable hostility and allegations of serious physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Many of Tom’s cases have an international element, including international child abduction and applications for permanent or temporary leave to remove.
Tom also has considerable experience in private law disputes concerning donor-conceived children and those from atypical family structures.
Notable cases in which Tom has appeared include:
O v P & Anor [2024] EWCA Civ 1577
A v B and C [2023] EWCA Civ 360
A & Anor v B & Ors [2022] EWHC 3089
Re C (A Child) (Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order No. 3) [2021] EWHC 3045
Re C (A Child) (Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order No. 4) [2022] EWHC 2501
Re AZ (A Child) (Recusal) [2022] EWCA Civ 911
Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum v Princess Haya [2021] EWHC 3480 (Fam)
Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum v Princess Haya [2022] EWFC 16
Re H-N And Others (Children) (Domestic Abuse: Finding of Fact Hearings) [2021] EWCA Civ 448
R v P (Children: Similar Fact Evidence) [2020] EWCA Civ 1088
Re Al M (Publication) [2020] EWHC 122 (Fam)
Re Al M (Children) [2020] EWCA Civ 283
Re Al M (Fact Finding) [2019] EWHC 3415 (Fam)
F v M & Others (Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants Intervening) [2017] EWHC 949 (Fam)
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Judicial Review & Administrative Law
Tom advises and represents local authorities and parents in relation to judicial review and other claims relating to children.
Tom is appointed to the Attorney-General’s B Panel and regularly advises and represents Government departments and other public bodies in matters relating to children.
Notable cases in which Tom has appeared include:
In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case K) [2017] EWHC 50 (Fam)
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International Family Law
Tom’s work frequently involves consideration of international issues. He has appeared in such cases at all levels of court, up to and including the Court of Appeal, with and without a leader. He regularly acts for parents and children in matters involving international child abduction, international adoption, permanent leave to remove and temporary leave to remove to non-Hague countries.
Tom also has experience of cases involving the cross-over between family law and immigration law and those in which issues of immunity arise.
Notable cases in which Tom has been involved include:
Re Al M (Fact-Finding) [2021] EWHC 1162 (Fam)
Re C (A Child: Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order) [2020] EWHC 2141 (Fam)
Re C (A Child: Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order) [2020] EWHC 2474 (Fam)
Re Al M (Foreign Act of State) [2020] EWHC 2883 (Fam)
R v P (Children: Similar Fact Evidence) [2020] EWCA Civ 1088
Re X (Revocations of Testamentary Guardianship) [2020] EWFC 33
Re Al M (Children) [2020] EWCA Civ 283
Re Al M (Assurances and Waiver) [2020] EWHC 67 (Fam)
Re Al M (Fact Finding) [2019] EWHC 3415 (Fam)
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Domestic Violence & Injunctions
Tom regularly appears in matters involving allegations of domestic violence, both where children are involved and where protective injunctions are sought. He represents those seeking, or responding to, non-molestation and occupation orders, forced marriage protection orders, and injunctions under the inherent jurisdiction.
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Modern Families & Surrogacy
Tom regularly acts in cases involving donor-conceived children and children born through surrogacy arrangements. He has appeared in the High Court and Court of Appeal in a number of such cases, including applications for parental orders, declarations of parentage, and private law disputes arising out of surrogacy arrangements and in relation to donor-conceived children and transgender young people.
Tom also appeared in a number of cases arising from administrative errors on the part of fertility clinics and the General Registrar’s Office. He appeared in Cases K, L and O before the President, and has successfully represented parents in a judicial review claim arising from the incorrect registration of a child’s birth in such circumstances.
Notable cases in which Tom has appeared include:
Re AB (A child) [2024] EWHC 586
Re C (A Child: Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order) [2020] EWHC 2141
C (A Child) (Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order No. 3) [2021] EWHC 3045
Z v X (Declaration of Parentage) [2020] EWFC 67
Re C (A Child: Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order) (No. 2) [2020] EWHC 2141
Re C (A Child: Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order) (No. 1) [2020] EWHC 2474
PQ v RS and Others (Legal Parenthood: Written Consent) [2019] EWFC 65
Re ST (A Child) (Surrogacy: Iran) [2018] EWHC 3439
In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case K) [2017] EWHC 50 (Fam)
Re H (A Child: Surrogacy Breakdown) [2017] EWCA Civ 1798
In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case O) [2016] EWHC 2273 (Fam)
In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case L) [2016] EWHC 2266 (Fam)
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Notable Cases
G v Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority & Anor [2024] EWHC 2453
Re Z (Infant Fatality) [2024] EWHC 618
Re AB (A child) [2024] EWHC 586
A v B & and C [2023] EWCA Civ 360
B & Anor v D & Ors [2023] EWFC 18
K v Maya & Anor [2023] EWHC 293
A & Anor v B & Ors [2022] EWHC 3089
C (A Child) (Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order No. 3) [2021] EWHC 3045
C (A Child) (Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order No. 4) [2022] EWHC 2501
Re A (Children) (Pool of perpetrators) [2022] EWCA Civ 1348
Re AZ (A Child) (Recusal) [2022] EWCA Civ 911
Re G (Adoption; Notice Under s35 ACA 2002; Revocation of Placement Order) [2021] EWFC 93
AX v BX & Ors (Revocation of Adoption Order) [2021] EWHC 1121 (Fam)
Re H-N And Others (Children) (Domestic Abuse: Finding of Fact Hearings) (Rev 2) [2021] EWCA Civ 448
Newman v Southampton City Council & Ors [2021] EWCA Civ 437
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum v Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein [2021] EWCA Civ 1216
Re Al M (Fact-Finding) [2021] EWHC 1162 (Fam)
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum v Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein [2021] EWCA Civ 129
Re Al M (Non-Molestation) [2020] EWHC 3305
Re Al M (Foreign Act of State) [2020] EWHC 2883 (Fam)
Z v X (Declaration of Parentage) [2020] EWFC 67
Prospective Adopters v Sheffield City Council [2020] EWCA Civ 1591
Re C (A Child: Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order) [2020] EWHC 2141 (Fam)
Re C (A Child: Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order) [2020] EWHC 2474 (Fam)
R v P (Children: Similar Fact Evidence) [2020] EWCA Civ 1088
R (Leave to Oppose The Making of an Adoption Order), Re [2020] EWFC 97
Re X (Revocations of Testamentary Guardianship) [2020] EWFC 33
Re Al M (Assurances and Waiver) [2020] EWHC 67 (Fam)
Re Al M (Publication) [2020] EWHC 122 (Fam)
Re Al M (Children) [2020] EWCA Civ 283
Re Al M (Fact Finding) [2019] EWHC 3415 (Fam)
PQ v RS and Others (Legal Parenthood: Written Consent) [2019] EWFC 65
LR v A Local Authority & Ors (Application to Terminate Appointment of Guardian) [2019] EWFC 49
A Local Authority v M & Ors (Placement Order) [2019] EWFC 50
ZH v HS & Ors (Application to Revoke Adoption Order) [2019] EWHC 2190 (Fam)
Re RP (A Child) (Foster Carers Appeal) [2019] EWCA Civ 525
Re ST (A Child) (Surrogacy: Iran) [2018] EWHC 3439
AB v CD [2018] EWHC 1590 (Fam)
In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case K) [2017] EWHC 50 (Fam)
F v M & Others (Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants intervening) [2017] EWHC 949 (Fam)
Re H (A Child: Surrogacy Breakdown) [2017] EWCA Civ 1798
Re TG (A Child: Future Care Arrangements) [2017] EWFC 85
Re K (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 931
In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case O) [2016] EWHC 2273 (Fam)
In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case L) [2016] EWHC 2266 (Fam)
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What the Directories Say
"Tom is an absolutely brilliant barrister. He is unflappable in court and delivers his advocacy with calm and persuasive assurance." Band 3 - Chambers and Partner, 2025
"Tom intuitively considers novel approaches to resolve difficult legal positions and is able to soundly communicate legal advice in clear language." Band 3 - Chambers and Partner, 2025
"Tom is a veritable family law encyclopaedia. There is a reason he is led by some of the finest senior counsel at the bar." Band 3 - Chambers and Partner, 2025
"Tom is a wonderful barrister. He is serenity personified and has a wonderful manner, which puts clients at ease." Tier 4 - Legal 500, 2025
"Tom Wilson is an exceptional barrister, whose advice and strategic decisions are always spot on." Band 3 - Chambers and Partners, 2024
"A barrister at a level beyond his year of call. He is very knowledgeable on the law, and his written and oral work are exemplary." Band 3 - Chambers and Partners, 2024
"Tom Wilson is great with clients and totally on top of what he is doing. He delivers excellent advocacy." Band 3 - Chambers and Partners, 2024
"Tom is a fantastic court advocate who treats everyone with grace and respect. He is always thoroughly prepared, his cross-examination is well thought out, and he gets to the core of the issues." Tier 4 - Legal 500, 2024
"Tom is an impressive barrister with a great deal of skill and knowledge. He is one to watch and a silk of the future." Band 3 - Chambers and Partners, 2023
"Tom produces excellent written work and is strong in cross-examination. He's a pleasant opponent too." Band 3 - Chambers and Partners, 2023
"Tom is highly intelligent, grounds his advice in reality and is destined to become a major senior junior in complex cases. His advocacy is calm and robust. He has a nice approach with clients, and his paperwork is really top notch." Tier 5 - Legal 500, 2023
“A rising star and silk of the future.” Chambers and Partners, 2021
"An experienced champion of alternative family work. His preparation is excellent." Chambers and Partners, 2021
"Tom Wilson is a superstar in the making." Chambers and Partners, 2020
"He is excellent value for money and way ahead of his call in terms of talent." Chambers and Partners, 2020
News
Chambers and Partners
Ranked
Band 3 - 2024
Legal 500
Leading Junior
Tier 4 - 2024
Chambers and Partners
Ranked
Band 3 - 2023
Legal 500
Leading Junior
Tier 5 - 2023
Chambers and Partners
Ranked
Band 4 - 2022
Chambers and Partners
Up and Coming
2021
Chambers and Partners
Up and Coming
2020
