Founder, VC LAW | Solicitor Advocate | Specialist in Commercial and Property Litigation, Commercial Property, Employment Settlement Agreements

Thom Vaughan brings over two decades of experience across property, employment, commercial litigation, and now commercial property transactions and secured lending. Known for his strategic thinking, client focus, and advocacy skills, Thom guides clients through complex disputes and transactions with confidence and clarity.

Background & Experience

Before founding VC LAW, Thom was a solicitor and later a partner at a leading northwest law firm for over a decade. He has acted on some of the most high-profile and technically challenging matters in his field, including:

• Group litigation involving over 100 clients, one of which progressed from the High Court to the Supreme Court.
• High-stakes claims against conveyancing lawyers, a major car manufacturer, and an architect/local authority over defective/fraudulent completion certification.
• Representing family members at the Hillsborough inquest — the longest in English legal history.

Areas of Expertise

• Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution
• Contractual disputes
• Professional negligence
• Commercial agency claims
• Business tenancy disputes
• Dilapidations, forfeiture, break notices
• Landlord-tenant matters (residential & commercial)
• Rights of light, party wall disputes, adverse possession
• Enforcement, possession, and remedies
• Commercial Property Transactions
• Acquisition and disposal of commercial property
• Lease negotiations and assignments
• Landlord and tenant advisory work
• Secured Lending
• Advising lenders and borrowers on property-backed finance
• Drafting and negotiating security documentation
• Employment Law
• Fast-turnaround employee settlement agreements
• Shareholder and partnership agreements

Advocacy & Approach

As a solicitor advocate, Thom offers seamless representation from initial instructions to courtroom advocacy. He is also an advocate for conditional fee arrangements (“no win no fee”), ensuring that strong cases are not blocked by financial barriers. A firm believer in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), Thom frequently advises on negotiation and mediation, helping clients achieve pragmatic solutions without litigation where possible.

Recognitions & Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in International Law, University of Helsinki (2003)
• Erasmus Scholar, University of Amsterdam (1998/1999) — International Law Certificate
• UN Intern, Geneva (2002)
• Legal Practice Course, College of Law, London (2004)
• Admitted as Solicitor, England and Wales (2005)

Key Achievements

• Six-figure recovery for a commercial agent at the High Court
• Success in professional negligence claims over multimillion-pound developments
• Defence and counterclaims in construction adjudication
• Resolution of high-value landlord-tenant disputes, including forfeiture and relief
• Defence in international arbitration over cross-border commercial transactions
• Mediation of sensitive neighbour and land disputes
• Resolution of complex adverse possession and partnership claims