Former Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC returns to 3PB

26th September 2024

Former Solicitor General in England and Wales, the Rt.Hon. Michael Tomlinson KCThe Rt Hon Michael Tomlinson KCCall: 2002Silk: 2022 (call:2002) is returning to 3PB (3 Paper Buildings) to practice as a barrister after more than 9 years as an MP and becoming one of UK’s top law enforcement officers. Michael was the first newly appointed King’s Counsel in 2022 and was sworn in as a member of His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council in February 2024.

Michael will be based in the national barristers chambers' Bournemouth office and will focus on property and chancery cases, commercial and contract law as well as public law and regulatory disputes. A mediator in civil law cases, Michael was also on the Attorney General's Regional Panel and provided advocacy and advisory work for many of HM Government Departments. He has appeared in courts up to and including the Court of Appeal, helping individuals, businesses, developers, contractors, charities and local authorities. Given his background in Government, he has an interest in statutory interpretation and acts in many matters that are international in scope and raise significant regulatory enforcement issues and substantial reputational concerns.

“It is a source of great pride to welcome Michael back to 3PB after his service as Solicitor General and a busy local MP” said Matthew Cannings, who leads 3PB's successful Property and Estates Group. “Michael's entire private practice career has been as a 3PB barrister and we look forward to the role he will again play as a colleague, leader, client adviser and advocate.”

Michael served as Home Office Minister of State and became His Majesty’s first Solicitor General in 2022, where his main duty was working alongside the Attorney General and the Advocate General for Scotland as the senior legal advisers to the UK Government. Michael has a particular interest in statutory interpretation having attended the Parliamentary Business and Legislation Committee, a Cabinet Sub-Committee, in order to advise where proposed legislation raised issues of particular legal difficulty, disagreement or importance. He also served from 2020-2022 as Lord Commissioner of the Treasury and sat on the House of Commons' European Scrutiny Committee from 2016-2019, assessing the legal and/or political importance of EU documents deposited by the Government in Parliament.

Michael Tomlinson KC practised for twelve years at 3PB (3 Paper Buildings) from their Bournemouth office – from 2003 up until he became an MP in 2015. He served as Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole from 2015 to 2024 and was elected to Parliament in three successive General Elections: 2015, 2017 and 2019.

“Returning to 3PB is like coming home. I couldn’t be happier to rejoin my old chambers and to have the opportunity once again to work with its exceptional barristers and staff, for whom I have such high regard,” Michael Tomlinson KC said. “I am returning to 3PB for the same reasons that drew me to chambers in the first place—its real commitment to excellence in the service of clients, a rare collaborative and team-oriented culture, and a dedication to pro bono and public service.”