Thomas Challacombe

Tom became a member of chambers in October 2008 and joined as a member of our civil group. He has since become our Civil Group Deputy Head.

Prior to joining KBG Tom was employed by a Solicitors firm specialising in civil litigation.

Tom appears in Courts/Tribunals throughout the Western Circuit.

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Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence

Tom’s personal injury practice involves him undertaking hearings on both the fast and multi track.

He advises on liability and quantum, settles pleadings and drafts schedules and counter schedules of loss.

Tom’s practice involves advising on matters of:

• Employers’ Liability

• Health and Safety at Work

• Occupiers’ Liability

• Highways Act

• New Roads and Street Works Act

• Animals Act

• Road traffic

• Product liability

• CICA appeals

In addition to trials on the fast and multi track Tom appears at case management conferences, application hearings, costs hearings and CRU appeals.

Tom’s experience with CICA appeals has seen him obtain significant 6 figure awards for his Clients.

Tom has a developing clinical negligence practice, which he intends to establish over the coming years
He accepts instructions on a CFA basis and is happy to work to tight deadlines.

Inquests

Tom has experience of representing many different parties, including:

• Family of the deceased

• Insurers

• Primary Care Trusts

• Health and Safety Executive

He provides advice and representation in the early stages of contact with the coroner and has experience of dealing with issues of disclosure. He provides representation at pre-inquest reviews and advocacy at inquests both with and without juries.

Employment

Tom joined Chambers in 2007 following the completion of his pupillage at KBG Chambers. Tom came to Chambers with a background of practicing exclusively in employment litigation with a particular focus on Respondent work.

Prior to joining Chambers Tom was employed by a Solicitors’ firm in Exeter. In particular Tom was tasked with growing the Firm’s Respondent work by introducing local businesses to fixed fee packages whereby he and the firm would provide advice throughout the year for an annual fee. Prior to leaving that firm Tom had approximately 25-30 small to medium sized local businesses committed to the annual package.

Since joining Chambers in 2007 Tom has continued to practice in all areas of employment litigation and has appeared at Tribunals throughout the country.

His practice is both paperwork and advocacy based and he covers all areas of dispute that arise including, but not limited to:

• Constructive dismissal

• Unfair dismissal

• Discrimination
(age, disability, marriage race, sex, sexual orientation etc.)

• Protected disclosures (whistleblowing)

• Contractual claims for unlawful deduction of wages

• Harassment

• Victimisation

Tom continues to have a focus towards Respondent work and has since joining Chambers represented numerous national retailers, builders’ merchants and pub chains. In addition to acting on behalf of large national companies Tom has continued to advise and represent local small to medium sized businesses. In respect of those local businesses Tom has provided advice in relation to internal disciplinary matters.

In his Claimant practice Tom has represented Claimant’s against all manner of Respondents including supermarkets, the Royal Mail and NHS Trusts.

He has experience in dealing with jurisdictional issues such as those that arose in the case of Lawson v Serco [2006] UKHL 3 and Williams v University of Nottingham [2007] IRLR 660.

Tom has acted for both Claimants and Respondents at Judicial Mediations

Outside of the Employment Tribunal Tom has advised and acted for Claimants in claims against their employers under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Recommended by Legal 500 2024 - Leading Junior in Personal Injury Tier 1

‘Thomas is very knowledgeable and approachable. He is particularly good with clients and putting them at ease, and explaining his advice in plain English.’

Recommended by Legal 500 2023 - Leading Junior in Personal Injury Tier 1

'Thomas has the immense skill of making clients feel comfortable yet reassured with his confident ability to advise across all fields of personal injury litigation. His advocacy is well prepared and delivered with authority.'

Recommended by Legal 500 2022 - Leading Junior in Personal Injury Tier 1

'A very approachable junior who is fantastic with clients. He always delivers sound and practical advice, and his advocacy is very thorough and effective.'

Recommended by Legal 500 2021 - Leading Junior in Personal Injury Tier 1

‘Approachable, friendly and knowledgeable and gets results. Always will make himself available if urgent advice is needed and willing to talk through difficult periods in a claim, or even provide an informal opinion on a new and challenging claim.’

Recommended by Legal 500 2020 - Leading Junior in Personal injury Tier 1

‘Approachable and great with clients. ’

KBG Chambers' personal injury team includes Thomas Challacombe who has a varied personal injury practice that regularly sees him instructed on high-value and complex claims. In the past 12 months Challacombe has acted in a number of fatal and catastrophic road traffic accidents, and also undertaken various public and employer liability claims. He is recognised by one client for his 'attention to detail' and 'willingness to accept instructions in difficult matters at the last minute'.