Andrew Thomas was born and brought up in Wrexham. He studied law at the University of Cambridge and completed bar finals at the Inns of Court School of Law in London.
He undertook pupillage at Sedan House Chambers in 1989. From 1990 until 2008 he practised full-time from chambers in Chester.
Since taking silk in 2008, Andrew Thomas has also practised from Lincoln House Chambers in Manchester, where he has been Head of Chambers since 2016.
In addition to specialisms in Financial Crime, Health and Safety and Environmental Law, Andrew Thomas has appeared in more than 70 cases of murder and manslaughter. He regularly advises in and undertakes cases of Corporate and Gross Negligence Manslaughter. As well as Crown Court work, he also undertakes cases before the High Court and before specialist tribunals including Planning Inspectors.
Andrew was appointed Queen’s Counsel in January 2008 on the basis of a mixed civil/criminal practice.
R v Green and others, Manchester Crown Court (ongoing) – conspiracy to import controlled drugs valued at £2.9 billion; prosecution of 25 defendants in series of trials on behalf of NCA.
R v Pilley and others, Preston Crown Court (ongoing) – prosecution of directors of energy supply companies on behalf of North West Trading Standards.
R (Taylor & Finch) v Chief Constable of Warwickshire (2022) – Successful JR challenge of search warrants obtained by police on behalf of the Environment Agency.
R (DLR) v Environment Agency (ongoing) – JR challenge to s.108 warrants obtained by EA.
R v SJ and RCL (Mold Crown Court) (ongoing) – Prosecution of waste operator for Gross Negligence Manslaughter following death of employee.
NRW v Tower Regeneration (2021) – Defence of mining company for unauthorised discharges into River Cynon.
EA v Environcom (2021) – Defence of fridge recycling company for breach of permit.
R v Wilkinson, Liverpool Crown Court (2020) and Court of Appeal (2022) (with Maria Massellis) – Murder case involving witness anonymity.
NRW v Ogg, Mold Crown Court and Court of Appeal (2021) successful challenge to confiscation and costs orders totalling over £750,000 arising from prosecution for waste offences.
R v Holgate, Hull Crown Court (2021) – prosecution of director of haulage company for gross negligence manslaughter relating to two deaths.
EA v Mustafa, Court of Appeal (2021) – Appeal against Conviction for operating without a permit; definitive case on the scope of exemptions under EPR.
R v Han Rao / TLW Ltd, Central Criminal Court (2019) – Prosecution of warehouse company and director for manslaughter and HSWA arising out of death of employee.
EA v Suez, Guildford Crown Court (2019) – Defence of recycling company for alleged breach of permit.
R v Bermingham, Southwark Crown Court and Court of Appeal (2019) – the ‘Euribor’ case; defence of Barclays Bank director.
R (Qualter) v Crown Court at Preston [2019] EWHC 2563 (Admin) (with Anna Pope) – JR concerning the scope of local authority powers to conduct criminal investigations.
R v McVey, Liverpool Crown Court (2018) – successful defence company director in SFO fraud prosecution.
R v Baldwin Crane Hire (2017) – prosecution of Crane Hire Company for Corporate Manslaughter.
R v C Smith & Sons Ltd and others (2016) (with Matthew Corbett-Jones) – Prosecution of building contractors for manslaughter / HSWA offences following death of employee.
R v Bawa Garba, Nottingham Crown Court and Court of Appeal (2016) (with Matthew Corbett-Jones) – Prosecution of Hospital Registrar and Nurse for Gross Negligence Manslaughter arising out of failure to treat patient with sepsis.
EA v Allensway, Hull Crown Court (2016) – Successful defence of recycling company for unlawful deposit; prosecution abandoned following abuse of process challenge; wasted costs awarded.
R v Pyranha Mouldings Ltd (2016) – prosecution of canoe manufacturing company for Corporate Manslaughter following death of an employee in an industrial accident.
R (Allensway) v EA (2014) 1 WLR 3753 – successful challenge to warrants under s.108 EA 1995; leading case on application of s.108.
MA (Law) University of Cambridge
Bar Finals, Inns of Court School of Law
Member of Gray’s Inn
Deputy High Court Judge (2014) (Administrative Court)
Recorder (2008) (Civil and Criminal)
Queen’s Counsel (2008)
Ranked Tier 1, Crime (General and Fraud) – Legal 500
Ranked Tier 2, Financial Crime – Chambers & Partners
“An excellent barrister who is great with clients.” – Chambers & Partners, 2022
“He is respected by everyone. He has an unassuming demeanour and he can be ferocious – he is a really good trial advocate.” – Chambers & Partners, 2022
“He is thoroughly impressive. He is exceptionally sharp.” – Chambers & Partners, 2022
“He has a lovely manner with juries.’ ‘He is extremely forensic, very clever and very popular.”– Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Intelligent, considered and robust.” – Legal 500, 2020 and 2021
“His Performance On Every Level Is Outstanding; He’s Calm, Reassuring And Very Knowledgeable.” – Chambers UK 2020
“He Is Meticulous In His Preparation.” “An Exceptional Intellect.” – Chambers UK 2020
