Thomas Smith

Dr Thomas Smith is an Associate Professor in Law at the School of Law, University of the West of England. He is affiliated with the Global Security, Crime and Justice research group and collaborates with organizations such as Fair Trials, the College of Policing, and the Judicial College.

• Expertise: Criminal justice and procedure, legal aid, pre-trial detention, disclosure, open justice, court reporting, and neurodivergence in criminal justice systems.
• Teaching: Leads modules on Sexual Offences, Criminal Procedure, and Dissertation supervision, while also teaching Legal Ethics and Civil Liberties.
• Collaborations: Works with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary & Fire and Rescue Services, Great Britain China Centre, and Transform Justice.

His research focuses on ethical dilemmas faced by criminal defence lawyers, evidenced by his 2010 PhD thesis 'The Zealous Advocate in the 21st Century: Concepts and Conflicts for Criminal Defence Lawyers'. He currently explores media reporting in criminal courts during the pandemic and law reform impacts on remand practices, coordinating the Neurodivergence in Criminal Justice Network (NICJN).