Toby Pleming

Toby Pleming

YEAR OF CALL: 2020

Education

BA (Hons) in Classics – University of Cambridge – 1st Class (2016)
GDL – City, University of London – Distinction (2019)
BPTC – City Law School – Very Competent (2020)

Scholarships & Prizes

Lord Denning Scholarship – Lincoln’s Inn (2019)
Best Bail Application – Blackstone’s Criminal Advocacy Competition (2019)
Lord Bowen Scholarship – Lincoln’s Inn (2018)
Postgraduate Scholarship – City Law School (2018)
Calverley Prize in Classics – Christ’s College, Cambridge (2016)
Academic Scholarship – Christ’s College, Cambridge (2016)
Henry Arthur Thomas Travel Award – Faculty of Classics (2016)

Memberships

Appointed to the CPS Advocate Panel at Level 2
The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn

Overview

Toby joined Chambers in October 2021 following successful completion of his pupillage. He has a busy practice in the Crown Court, both led and unled, prosecuting and defending in a wide range of criminal matters. He has been praised by judges for his ‘outstanding commitment’ and ‘very able submissions’.

He has experience in representing young and vulnerable defendants, and is familiar with all aspects of the youth justice system. He has completed vulnerable witness training organised by the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA).

His current Crown Court instructions include PWITS, s. 18 GBH, child sexual communications, firearms, robbery, burglary, stalking, and others.

Toby spent three months on secondment to the NMC in 2023.

Prior to joining Foundry, Toby worked as a strategy consultant. He has also marshalled at the High Court of Hong Kong, with trials ranging from murder to human trafficking, as well as observing the trial of the leaders of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Umbrella movement.

Outside of the law, Toby is a keen sportsman and chess player, and spent one summer walking 900 miles across Europe for charity. Toby speaks lower intermediate level French and Russian, and basic Italian and Georgian.

Notable Cases

R v A (Kingston Crown Court, 2024) – Defence of client accused of stalking and sexual harassment, who had five previous convictions for harassing different women. Acquitted of both counts and convicted of lesser offence of harassment.

R v S (Aylesbury Crown Court, 2024) – Prosecution of Defendant who committed 11 offences in a single day, including stabbing a police officer and assaulting others. Defendant convicted on all counts.

R v T (Reading Crown Court, 2024) – Junior Prosecution Counsel in a complex conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Defendants pleaded Guilty during and after the Crown’s opening.

R v T-W (Reading Crown Court, 2024) – Prosecution Counsel in case involving a year-long Coercive and Controlling relationship and various assaults. Defendant convicted of the assaults.

R v A (Woolwich Crown Court, 2024) – Defence of client accused of various assaults and possession of bladed articles, where there was extensive evidence of injuries to the two complainants. Acquitted of all counts.

R v C (St Albans Crown Court, 2023) – Defence of client accused of PWITS Methamphetamines. Client acquitted after a defence that the Methamphetamines were for use on a horse in unlicensed pony-and-trap racing.

R v K (Kingston Crown Court, 2023) – Defence of client in complex robbery at Thorpe Park, involving cross-examination of many child witnesses.

R v S (Luton Crown Court, 2023) – Prosecution of Defendant accused of assaults in a domestically abusive relationship. Defendant convicted of both counts.

R v J-C (Kingston Crown Court, 2023) – Junior Prosecution Counsel in a long-running firearms trial revolving around South London Gang rivalry. The case involved presentation of extensive video and audio evidence and complex issues of law.

R v W (Central Criminal Court, 2023) – Prosecution Counsel in a trial where Defendant was charged with assaults and coercive and controlling behaviour. Defendant convicted of the majority of counts.

R v D (Norwich Crown Court, 2022) – Defence Counsel in a trial where Defendant was charged with PWITS Class A. His previous conviction the year before for PWITS Class A was before the jury. Client acquitted following successful Modern Slavery defence.