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Leading Silks

Jonathan Davey KCWilberforce Chambers ‘Jonathan's advocacy is some of the best you'll ever see. He is utterly charming and extremely hard-working. Clients, judges and even his opponents love him.'
David Ewart KCPump Court Tax Chambers ‘Very effective, quiet and well planned. Technically excellent. Very focused. The go-to KC for tax litigation.'
James Kessler KCOld Square Tax Chambers ‘James is exceptional. He has a phenomenal grasp of tax and trust law, prepares meticulously to ensure he really grasps the issues at hand and presents his findings in a clear, concise and pragmatic way.  He is both solicitor-friendly and lay-client friendly in his approach and is the go-to for high value, complex personal UK tax structuring matters, both UK-centric and international.'
William Massey KCPump Court Tax Chambers ‘Huge gravitas, clients love him.'
James Rivett KCPump Court Tax Chambers 'James not only possesses a stellar intellect, but he is also that rare thing, a tax counsel who possesses emotional and commercial intelligence. This means he is a favourite of instructing solicitors and clients alike.'
Rupert Baldry KCPump Court Tax Chambers ‘Rupert is a superb advocate. He is calm and measured yet also forceful and clear. He is a delight to work with - thorough and precise. He listens carefully to clients, juniors and solicitors and has a fair reputation as one of the pre-eminent tax silks. He is also simply a delight to work with.'
Jonathan Bremner KCOne Essex Court ‘Jonathan is the hardest working barrister at the Tax Bar.  He is enormously knowledgeable, meticulously prepared, and great to work with.’
David Goldberg KCGray’s Inn Tax Chambers ‘David is the leading tax KC bar none. He combines intellect, commercial savvy, court presence and charm in a way that is unique.'
Brian Green KCWilberforce Chambers ‘Very approachable with rigorous intelligence and a positive approach.  Able to analyse and disentangle the most complicated of issues.  Absolutely excellent.'
Rory Mullan KCOld Square Tax Chambers ‘Rory is practical and pragmatic, which he overlays with extremely strong technical ability. A real star who gets better each year.'
Patrick Way KCField Court Tax Chambers ‘Patrick has an incredible ability to distil hugely complicated problems into simple solutions in a user-friendly way.’
David Yates KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘David is in a class of his own. He is not only technically gifted but also combines this with a client-friendly, user-friendly overlay. He is impressive across the whole spectrum.’
Richard Vallat KCPump Court Tax Chambers ‘A leading silk on international tax matters. Will not prevaricate and states his views clearly. Can turn matters around quickly and efficiently.'

2024 Silks

2025 Silks

Imran Afzal KC  –Field Court Tax Chambers ‘Imran is an excellent barrister, combining an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law, meticulously logical legal reasoning, an engaging and relaxed advocacy style, and first-rate client care skills.'
Ruth Hughes KC – 5 Stone Buildings ‘Ruth is a great barrister - hard working, responsive and a strong team player. Very good client manner. A tenacious advocate.'

Leading Juniors

Emma ChamberlainPump Court Tax Chambers ‘Emma is particularly good at advisory work . She has a reputation for being no-nonsense, which means that when negotiating with HMRC, they tend to listen because Emma isn’t one for trying it on.’
Ben Elliott Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘A strong advocate both orally and in writing. Sharp and polished approach to his work. His passion for the law provides clients reassurance that their case is in the right hands.’
Barbara Belgrano – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Barbara is fiercely clever, conscientious, and robust in her advice.’
Charles Bradley – Pump Court Tax Chambers 'Clear and concise, as well as being very knowledgeable.'
Harriet BrownOld Square Tax Chambers She has an easy charm but remains rigorous. Clients find her easily accessible but technically robust. She has the highest standards of professionalism but without the stuffiness one encounters at the bar so often.'
Thomas ChackoPump Court Tax Chambers 'Thomas has a rare talent of expressing complex arguments simply, in oral submissions, clear writing and when explaining matters to lay clients.'  
Oliver Marre5 Stone Buildings ‘Brilliant and creative approach to knotty problems.  A delight to work with and very pragmatic.  Incredibly able in the face of complex issues involving multiple taxes.'
Susannah MeadwayTen Old Square 'Susannah is sharp as a nail and the counsel to go to if you have a particularly thorny issue. She is very responsive and also provides practical solutions.'
Nikhil MehtaGray’s Inn Tax Chambers ‘Pragmatic decision maker. Very user-friendly. Unique specialism.'
Jonathan SchwarzTemple Tax Chambers ‘He has an unparalleled international perspective, he is the expert on tax treaties, and he combines experience with rigorous research and an outstanding mind.'
Stephen ArthurTemple Tax Chambers ‘Stephen is the best counsel for resolving complex trust and tax situations and working with instructing accountants to find the most pragmatic and economic solutions.’
Calypso Blaj Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Very bright and personable.'
Sam Brodsky – Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers ‘Sam is a go-to junior, he navigates the interaction between different tax regimes with ease. His advice is always considered and practical. Clients like and respect him. He is not afraid to debate matters with his leaders, and they clearly value his input.'
Oliver ConollyPump Court Tax Chambers ‘Extremely thorough and immerses himself in the subject matter.'
Laura Inglis  – 1 Crown Office Row ‘Laura is extremely bright and very knowledgeable about tax law. She is calm under pressure and is very reliable - a great teammate on any counsel team.'
Nicholas Macklam  – Gray’s Inn Tax ChambersNicholas is a star performer. His legal reasoning skills are superb. His advocacy skills, both written and oral, are pitch-perfect. Excellent attention to detail. A real team player. A pleasure to work.'
Patrick SoaresField Court Tax ChambersPatrick is extraordinarily intelligent, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of UK taxation, both personal and corporate. Patrick is approachable, sensible and eminently practical in his advice. Tax law is notoriously difficult, and has his fingers on the pulse.’
Stephen WoodwardThree StoneStephen demonstrates a deep understanding of tax law, provides clear and strategic advice, and is responsive and professional.'

Rising Stars

Emile Simpson4 New Square ChambersExcellent grasp of this subject area. Aware of commercial sensitivities. Able to think laterally.’
Harry Winter – Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers ‘A strong advocate with an instinctive sense of what will play well with a judge. A real future star of the tax Bar.’

Tax: personal in London Bar

Pump Court Tax Chambers


Pump Court Tax Chambers handles tax matters covering both onshore and offshore advisory and litigation work. William Massey KC continues to stand out in issues related to the taxation of trusts, land and landed estates. David Yates KC led Calypso Blaj on behalf of HMRC in Beard v HMRC concerning the tax treatment of distributions from a Jersey company.

Les références

‘Clerks areexcellent, scoping the brief and providing accurate timescales.’

‘Friendly, approachable clerks’ rooms. Enjoy working with Bruno Antoniotti and John Posyer. Both are a pleasure to work with.’

‘Great clerking team.’

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Devereux


Devereux includes members who advise individuals, trustees and companies on matters related to residence, domicile as it pertains to the structuring of assets and businesses as well as the tax considerations in planning for landed estates and owner-managed businesses. Felicity Cullen KC works alongside owner managed businesses assisting associated individuals with residential and domicile issues. Akash Nawbatt KC is well regarded for his advisory work which has recently included advising taxpayers on the statutory residence test as well as advising on domicile and common law residence issues. Christopher Stone KC recently appeared before the Upper Tribunal in McCabe v HMRC, an appeal concerning individual residence at common law and under a double tax treaty.

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Old Square Tax Chambers


Old Square Tax Chambers’ heavy private client focus extends to areas of expertise ranging across inheritance tax, non-resident and non-domicile tax as well as estate and tax planning both domestically and offshore. James Kessler KC is recognised for his work offshore private client tax matters, recently leading Rebecca Sheldon before the Court of Appeal in A Taxpayer v HMRC, a novel case on the statutory resident test. Robert Venables KC handles matters ranging across offshore tax planning, residence and domicile issues and employee remuneration. Rory Mullan KC has recently acted before the Privy Council in Imperium Trustees (Jersey) Ltd v Jersey Competent Authority regarding documents sought for a withholding tax enquiry - the case involved issues of a statute which prohibited Imperium Trustees, which was successful on the substantive issue before the Jersey courts, from recovering its costs back from the Jersey government. Harriet Brown, also a qualified Jersey advocate, international tax and trust matters related to non-UK residents, non-UK domiciles, complex cross-border planning.

Les références

‘Clerks’ room is strong and well run by Cliff Holland. They are as active as the client requires without being intrusive.’

‘Cliff Holland is a pleasure to deal with.  Straight-forward and efficient.’

‘The clerking team are a very proactive bunch. Communications are first-rate.’

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Wilberforce Chambers


Wilberforce Chambers acts on matters relating to inheritance tax and trusts issues. Jonathan Davey KC frequently acts on behalf of HMRC in complex and often novel disputes, such as Elborne v HM Revenue and Customs, a case on “home loan” structures designed to circumnavigate inheritance tax. Brian Green KC assists individuals on issues of domicile and various trusts issues.

Les références

‘Good set of Chambers for commercial and chancery.’

‘Excellent team leadership and very pleasant to work with.’

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Field Court Tax Chambers


Field Court Tax Chambers is well-regarded for its vast range of clients ranging from wealthy individuals, charities and tax authorities as well as the appearance of its members across all levels of the domestic courts as well as foreign courts. Recently made silk, Imran Afzal KC represented the revenue in Candy v HMRC, a case on the repayment of SDLT. Patrick Soares advises on the structuring of land transactions in the UK and offshore structures.

Les références

‘The clerk’s room is professionally efficient. Marie Burke and Stephanie Talbot are consummate professionals, and tremendously reassuring.’

‘The clerks are very helpful.’

‘All of the members of the set are tax specialists, covering the entire field of tax and all subscribe to the same philosophy of practicality and approachability.’

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