Tom Whitfield

Tom has over 20 years’ litigation experience and specialises in Professional Negligence claims against all professionals.

Tom heads up the disputes team. He acts in various disputes for both Claimants and Defendants. In particular he acts for Claimants in claims against their professionals where they have been negligent. Additionally, he also acts in a number of shareholder and partnership disputes.

Experience

  • Recently won a trial for professional negligence against a solicitor for negligent advice in respect of an asset protection trust, which had been set up incorrectly, recovering over £200,000 for the client.

  • Defeated an application to try and strike out his client's claim on the basis it was out of time. Having defeated that application, the claim then settled for a 7 figure sum in his clients favour.

Outside of the office
Tom enjoys most sports, and has recently taken up Padel a sport that combines elements of squash and tennis. He also plays golf badly, and tennis less badly.

Legal 500 Client Legal 500 Legal 500 Client Legal 500

Tom Whitfield is certainly persistent and achieves results for his clients

I was impressed at how readily Tom grasped the issues in the case and showed such commitment throughout. I particularly appreciated the steadiness and reassurance that you were able to give me through your experience and expertise. I always felt confident that the case was in the most capable hands. I will always be very grateful to you, and to Bethany.

Tom Whitfield is exceptional. His dedication to providing accurate advice and looking for innovative solutions is unrivalled in my opinion.

Tom Whitfield is quick and effective and will stand no nonsense from his opponents.

Tom was very professional and has a very sharp mind. You see when we get angry the emotions run through our letters and Tom with his careful words channelised it well. I could never be a lawyer. You guys are great.

Tom Whitfield stands out as knowledgeable, thorough, personable and approachable.

Relevant insights & events

Our regular commercial litigation & dispute resolution insights, updates and events keep you up to date with all the latest legal developments you need to know about.

Murphy v Maguire: Section 21’s brief reprieve cut short
What did Murphy v Maguire mean for Section 21 notices? Beth Donaldson and Kati Savtsenko, from our Property Disputes Team, outline the latest property litigation update and its implications for landlords and tenants.
Resolving real estate disputes and managing risk
Amandeep Dhillon, from our Property Disputes Team, explains how real estate disputes can be resolved and how property owners can manage legal risk with expert strategies.
Renters Rights Act 2025: What landlords and tenants need to know
Beth Donaldson, from our Property Disputes Team, explains the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, its key changes for landlords and tenants, and what you need to know ahead of implementation.
Getting to know Amandeep Dhillon
Get to know Amandeep Dhillon, from our Dispute Resolution Team, including his experience, focus areas and approach to resolving real estate disputes.
Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution expert joins Hay & Kilner
Hay & Kilner welcomes a commercial litigation and dispute resolution expert to its team, strengthening the firm’s capability to support complex legal disputes with specialist expertise.
Duo of promotions at Hay & Kilner
We are delighted to announce the promotion of Kayleigh Bell and Sophie Fletcher to Associate, demonstrating our commitment to supporting future talent.
Negligence verdict secured by Hay & Kilner against asset protection firm over care home fees
Hay & Kilner secures a professional negligence verdict against an asset protection firm over care home fees, showcasing expert legal support in complex negligence claims.

You may also need advice on

Dispute Resolution

With one of the largest teams in the North East and a wealth of experience across a wide range of disputes and sectors, we get involved at the onset to help resolve the matter at an early stage saving you valuable time and money, helping you mitigate risk to reputation and maintaining valuable relationships settled.

Professional Negligence

At Hay & Kilner we have a strong reputation for handling professional negligence claims against a variety of professionals and recovering financial compensation if appropriate.

Commercial Property Disputes

Your business will probably have at least one property to operate from and disputes relating to properties sometimes seem unavoidable. If they happen, you need quick and effective advice straight away to save you valuable time and money.

Agriculture & Rural

Expert legal advice for farmers, rural landowners, and estate managers. Hay & Kilner provide guidance on farm business law, tenancy, land succession, and rural disputes across the UK. Contact us for tailored support today.

Care Homes

Specialist legal advice for buying, selling and operating care homes, delivered by Hay & Kilner’s experienced solicitors in Newcastle.

Get in touch with Tom

Click here to leave Tom a message and he will get in touch

For the latest insights, updates and events join our mailing list

Extra small
Log into Panel

‘Hay & Kilner’ and ‘Hay & Kilner Law Firm’ are both trading names of Hay & Kilner LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales with registered number OC418767. Our registered office is at The Lumen, St James' Boulevard, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5BZ and we are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (Authorisation number 643191). We use the word ‘partner’ to refer to a member of Hay & Kilner LLP. A list of the members is available at our registered office.