Atlas Chambers

Thomas Brennan (2002)


Thomas was called to the Bar in 2002 and joined Chambers in 2008 after working for two London local authorities and within private practice. He successfully completed his pupillage in 2 Harcourt Buildings (now Francis Taylor Buildings).

Thomas accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers' expertise and has a strong background in public, planning and environmental law, highways, local government law and has particular expertise in consumer protection law.


 
2 April 2009

In the first High Court challenge of its kind, an appeal was heard against the blanket stay on consumer bank charge claims, with implications for thousands of such bank charge cases.

Thomas acted on a Pro Bono basis for a claimant facing severe financial hardship as a result of bank charges.  The claimant is facing eviction from his home if the stay on his bank charge claim remains in place.

Mr Justice Blair is likely to give judgment on 6 April 2009.

 

Client comments

"a truly exceptional advocate…not only a consummate professional, but is well prepared and an asset to Chambers."

 

Practice Profile

Consumer Protection

Ever since the widely publicised bank charges case of Brennan v National Westminster Bank [2007] EWHC 2759 (QB), Thomas has been heavily involved in consumer protection matters. He undertakes work on behalf of consumer protection groups, advises reporters on all aspects of consumer protection law, and represents consumers at County Court and High Court hearings.

Thomas regularly gives interviews on television and radio news programmes, assists reporters on newspaper articles, and speaks at seminars and debates on consumer protection issues. He has forthcoming articles in the both the Solicitor's Journal and the Journal of International Banking & Financial Law.

Planning and Environment Law

Thomas has a strong background in public and planning law, having worked within this sphere for two London local authorities and a solicitor's firm. Thomas has experience of negotiating and drafting s.106 planning agreements, s.38 and s.278 highways agreements, CLEUD and CLOPUD applications.

Thomas advises local authorities and private clients on all areas of planning enforcement, planning control, environmental assessments, gypsy and traveller enforcement issues, judicial review proceedings and statutory challenges.

Thomas has also conducted numerous prosecutions for planning enforcement matters, defended clients against prosecutions for regulatory offences, and has appeared in the High Court in Judicial Review challenges.

Village Greens

In 2006 Thomas was involved in the House of Lords appeal Oxfordshire County Council v Oxford City Council and Robinson [2006] UKHL 25, having assisted with legal research and drafting for Oxford County Council whilst a pupil at 2 Harcourt Buildings. He has provided advice to both potential applicants and to local authorities on all aspects of the law relating to village greens.

Regulatory Crime

Thomas has previous experience as an in-house prosecutor for the London Borough of Newham bringing prosecutions for breaches of planning and environmental legislation. As part of his current practice, Thomas advises and defends private clients against planning, environmental and licensing prosecutions.

Qualifications and Memberships

Thomas has a plethora of prizes for public speaking, mooting, debating, and academic performance, and has received several scholarships from Lincoln's Inn.

Interests

Thomas is an active member and a previous trustee of Sedos, the Stock Exchange Drama Society, having performed in a number of musicals, plays and Shakespeare productions.

Details

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Year of Call: 2002


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