thomas woods

Overview

Thomas Woods (LL.M. (Syd)) is an experienced practitioner in the field of criminal law. He has a substantial trial and appeals practice. He also advises and appears in other areas including commissions of inquiry and disciplinary matters.

Some recent cases:

• Led by Murugan Thangaraj SC for Marius Hawell in appeal against conviction on charges laid after buck’s weekend in Newcastle. Jury verdicts held to be unreasonable and acquittals entered on appeal: Maurice Hawell v R; Andrew David v R; Marius Hawell v R [2025] NSWCCA 210

• Various other appeals in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal including Snounou v R [2025] NSWCCA 231 (led by Bret Walker SC); Waters v R [2025] NSWCCA 226 (led by David Dalton SC); Hudson v R [2025] NSWCCA 194; Bredal v R [2025] NSWCCA 181; Neil v R [2025] NSWCCA 160 (led by Bret Walker SC); Chung v R [2025] NSWCCA 87; McLaughlin v R [2025] NSWCCA 13 (led by Bret Walker SC); and Khajehtaheri v R [2025] NSWCCA 6.

• Trial of Titus Day in the Sydney District Court in May - July 2025 on charges of embezzlement as the manager of musician Guy Sebastian. Verdicts of acquittal on four counts and jury hung on remainder. Prosecution of remaining counts later discontinued and accused discharged.

• Johnson v Commissioner of NSW Police [2025] NSWSC 21. Judicial review of decision to issue search warrant authorizing the seizure of a solicitor’s mobile phone. Warrant declared invalid and order made that phone be returned.

• Recent sentences in the District Court including R v Richard Schaaf [2025] NSWDC 444 and R v Dann [2025] NSWDC 17.

• Croatian Six Inquiry in 2024-2025. Allegations of historical police misconduct. Acting for 25 former police officers.

• Fraud trial in September 2022 concerning a TAB ticket abandoned on the floor of the pokies room of the Doncaster Hotel on Anzac Pde. Jury verdict of acquittal. Prosecution for larceny arising out of same facts permanently stayed as an abuse of process.

• Trial of Wollongong G.P. in the Sydney District Court in 2021 - 2022. Allegations of sexual offending against patients. Three trials back-to-back. Jury verdicts of acquittal on all counts in each trial.

• Safarjalani v R [2020] NSWCCA 337. Appeal concerning murder in Petersham in March 2014. Jury verdict held to be unreasonable and acquittal entered on appeal.

• Wiggins v R [2020] NSWCCA 256. Appeal against conviction for murder on the ground that the judge’s summing up to the jury was unfair and unbalanced. Conviction quashed and new trial ordered. Subsequent jury acquittal.

Thomas has been listed in the Doyle’s Guide as a recommended Criminal Law Junior Counsel - New South Wales, 2023, 2024 and 2025. He is a member of the Criminal Law Committee of the NSW Bar Association.

For information about fees or availability, please contact chambers.