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Tax: VAT And Excise

Monckton Chambers

Pump Court Tax Chambers

1 Crown Office Row

Devereux

Blackstone Chambers

Old Square Tax Chambers

Gray's Inn Tax Chambers

Temple Tax Chambers

Leading Silks

Kieron Beal KC – Blackstone Chambers ‘A huge and compelling presence in court as an advocate. Presents with clarity and without fear.'

Melanie Hall KC – Monckton Chambers

Andrew Hitchmough KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Andrew is top-tier for VAT. He prepares cases thoroughly. He has the rare ability to combine mastery of detail with a concise and persuasive articulation. He is very commercial and relates well to clients. They have complete trust in him.'

David Milne KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers

Nicola Shaw KC – Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers 'Nicola is a very strong advocate and thinks very well on her feet.'

Valentina Sloane KC – Monckton Chambers

Roderick Cordara KC – Essex Court Chambers

Felicity Cullen KC – Devereux

Sam Grodzinski KC – Blackstone Chambers ‘Sam is simply a superstar. He is technically astute, works seamlessly as part of a team with his juniors, solicitors and clients, and is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get into the detail. His advocacy is superb, the best on his feet that we have seen.'

Timothy Lyons KC – 39 Essex Chambers ‘Timothy applies careful thought to the preparation of your case, and brings a wealth of expertise to customs matters. His experience shines through his excellent judgement as an advocate, a quality which has repeatedly achieved good results for our clients. Whether it is a client, witness or judge, he reads the room, engages, identifies potential risks, focuses on the objective and delivers just what is needed, all within split seconds.'

Eleni Mitrophanous KC – Matrix Chambers

Jonathan Peacock KC – 11 New Square

Kevin Prosser KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers

Owain Thomas KC – 1 Crown Office Row

Rupert Baldry KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Rupert is an excellent trial advocate. He sees the wood for the trees, does not waste client time and always delivers excellent customer service.'

Julian Ghosh KC – One Essex Court ‘Julian is a very accomplished tax silk. He has particular skill in relation to court craft, he is a flamboyant advocate who is feared by witnesses for his very effective cross-examination style.'

Hui Ling McCarthy KC – 11 New Square

Philip Moser KC – Monckton Chambers

James Rivett KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘James is a superb litigator, he is highly strategic and forensic in his approach to evidence, no stone is left unturned. He is an exceptionally clear and persuasive advocate, his arguments are compelling.'

David Southern KC – Field Court Tax Chambers 'Detailed knowledge of tax law, VAT in particular. Approachable and capable. Affable and good with clients.'

Jonathan Bremner KC – One Essex Court ‘Jonathan is technically excellent. He listens, engages in a discussion with his instructing solicitors and genuinely and thoroughly considers counter views. He is gentle in approach and is able to build rapport with clients and solicitors. He is superb.'

Francis Fitzpatrick KC – 11 New Square

Michael Jones KC – Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers

Rory Mullan KC – Old Square Tax Chambers ‘Very user-friendly and approachable. Excellent technical skills and great attention to detail. Clients really like him.'

George Peretz KC – Monckton Chambers

Jessica Simor KC – Matrix Chambers

Philip Simpson KC – Old Square Tax Chambers ‘Philip is able to distil complex matters involving tax and environment, sometimes where laws do not easily align, into clear, succinct and accessible advice. His clear drafting of advice is consistent and thoughtful.'

Sarabjit Singh KC – 1 Crown Office Row ‘Sab is an exquisite choice of barrister for both technical tax matters and questions of public law. He is hands-on, user-friendly and can walk a court through the substance and technical detail of a matter in a manner that belies his year of call. Highly recommended and astute gentleman.'

Laurent Sykes KC – Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers ‘Laurent is among the best tax barristers at the Bar. He is fiercely intelligent and a classy advocate. He wins cases for taxpayers.’

Richard Vallat KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers

David Yates KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers 'David is one of the best silks at the tax bar, and can hold his own against anyone.'

2024 Silks

Sadiya Choudhury KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers

Michael Firth KC – Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers 'He has consistently been fully prepared, completely conversant with instructions and thoroughly researched. He is highly professional, accessible, and, most importantly, clear and commercial in his advice.'

Brendan McGurk KC – Monckton Chambers

2025 Silks

David Bedenham KC – Devereux ‘The up-and-coming heavyweight tax silk. David is the go to Silk in the City for fact-heavy or complex VAT disputes, especially cases involving allegations of fraud. He is the leading expert on VAT fraud, Kittel cases, avoidance, abuse, and penalties.'

Marika Lemos KC – Devereux

Laura Poots KC– Pump Court Tax Chambers

Leading Juniors

Ben Elliott – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Strong advocate, with a keen eye for detail. A professional yet personable approach. Has an intellectual and commercial mindset.’

Raymond Hill – Monckton Chambers

Andrew Macnab – Monckton Chambers

Peter Mantle – Monckton Chambers

Howard Watkinson – Devereux ‘Howard has a razor-sharp brain and knows his subject. Tactically, he is very astute and is very hardworking.’

Jeremy White – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Jeremy is a fearless and exciting advocate. A barrister with exceptional technical expertise in customs, Jeremy can capture complex industry points and encapsulate them in a way a court can easily digest. A real leader in his field.'

Etienne Wong – Old Square Tax Chambers ‘Very knowledgeable in the area of VAT and good in front of clients. User-friendly.'

Zizhen Yang – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Zizhen is hard-working and thorough in her approach to advice and litigation. She is a precise, clear and resilient advocate.'

Barbara Belgrano – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Barbara is an excellent barrister. She has a strong, confident advocacy style, and an excellent client manner. Very hard working. Insightful analysis. A real team player. Responsive and user-friendly. A pleasure to work with.'

Tim Brown – Temple Tax Chambers ‘Tim is a great litigator and is excellent at cross-examining witnesses. He also makes witnesses feel at ease. He has excellent indirect tax knowledge but is also able to relate this knowledge to what happens in the real world.'

Oliver Conolly – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Good on paper, and very knowledgeable.'

Lyndsey Frawley – Temple Tax Chambers

James Henderson – Pump Court Tax Chambers

Max Schofield – Devereux

Edward Waldegrave – 1 Crown Office Row ‘Really good and thorough, a brilliant advocate and cross-examiner. Hugely knowledgeable.’

Barrie Akin – Devereux

Hammad Baig – 33 Bedford Row

Kate Balmer – Devereux

Natasha Barnes – 1 Crown Office Row ‘Superb. Natasha is bright, diligent, drafts excellently and is always really well-prepared. A great advocate and cross-examiner. A real pleasure to work with, clients love her.'

Gideon Barth – 1 Crown Office Row ‘A highly skilled operator, able to punch well above his call would suggest in tax. He is driven, intelligent and very practical in his advice.'

Calypso Blaj – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Calypso is an excellent tax junior. She is extremely reliable. She is very bright and has a polished written style.’

Sam Brodsky – Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers ‘Sam is a great junior to have in your team, he is diligent, hard working and knowledgeable.'

Charlotte Brown – Addington Chambers

Joshua Carey – Devereux ‘Joshua is a great team player, highly responsive, and very hard working. He is commercially minded and strategic in his thinking. He has an engaging and effective advocacy style.'

Thomas Chacko – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Thomas is very considerate in his approach and easy to deal with. His analysis is particularly strong.'

Matthew Donmall – 1 Crown Office Row

Denis Edwards – Temple Tax Chambers

Georgia Hicks – Devereux

Laura Inglis – 1 Crown Office Row

Isabel McArdle – 1 Crown Office Row ‘Always well prepared, makes excellent points, and very knowledgeable.'

Rebecca Murray – Devereux ‘Rebecca analyses complex information and structures quickly, and is able to hone in on the key details when providing her opinions. Her arguments are succinct and persuasive, and she is exceptional in her field.'

Sebastian Purnell – Devereux

Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho – 39 Essex Chambers ‘Very thorough, no stone left unturned, technically strong, client-friendly.'

Quinlan Windle – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Thorough, extremely well-prepared, persuasive and very approachable.’

Jeremy Woolf – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘He listens and adapts his advice to challenges brought and the circumstances. In that way, Jeremy is a strategic, practical and likeable barrister.'

Rising Stars

Harry Winter – Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers 'An excellent advocate with great strategic insight and technical ability.'

Tax: VAT and excise in London Bar

Tier 1 sets

Monckton Chambers

Monckton Chambers routinely acts for both the taxpayer and HMRC with extensive experience in VAT and other indirect taxes. Melanie Hall KC is well-regarded for her expertise in domestic VAT issues and offshore membership of UK VAT groups. Valentina Sloane KC has continued to represent Bolt, in the case of Bolt v HMRC, which has now been heard in the Upper Tribunal - a test-case as far as the application of VAT to ride-hailing in the UK. Brendan McGurk KC advises Friends of the Earth in a dispute with HMRC as to if its charitable division's financial contributions to its campaigning arm are a non-taxable grant or a taxable supply of services.

Les références

‘Monckton is a market leader in this field.’

‘Monckton Chambers is a fantastic set.’

Principaux dossiers

Tier 2 sets

1 Crown Office Row

Acting for both the taxpayer and HMRC, 1 Crown Office Row is well regarded for its handling of judicial reviews involving public law challenges concerning aspects of tax administration. Owain Thomas KC represents HMRC and taxpayers in wide range of indirect tax matters such as VAT, customs duties, and landfill tax. . Natasha Barnes advised a potential claimant on a proposed judicial review of the introduction of VAT on independent school fees, while. Edward Waldegrave appeared in Barclays Services Corporation v HMRC, a case on VAT grouping in the financial services sector. Laura Inglis joined from Gray's Inn Tax Chambers.

Les références

‘1 Crown Office Row is a very professional chambers. The clerks are helpful and responsive, and ensure any requests are dealt with efficiently. Other barristers and KCs at this chambers are also of a very high calibre.’

‘This Chambers has built up a strong reputation for VAT specialist counsel and is often instructed by both HMRC and private clients.’

‘Great strength in depth and masters of a broad range of public matters.’

Principaux dossiers

Tier 3 sets

Blackstone Chambers

A number of the members of Blackstone Chambers have experience at various levels of the court with indirect tax. Sam Grodzinski KC frequently acts in VAT cases both for and against HMRC, while Kieron Beal KC is instructed on judicial review challenges and appeals for taxpayers and HMRC, notably acting on behalf of the taxpayer in Boehringer v HMRC, a case concerning the rebates made to the Department for Health and Social Care under the pharmaceutical schemes operating for NHS medicines.

Les références

‘Excellent chambers.’

Principaux dossiers

Devereux

The members of Devereux appear before all levels of the courts and in judicial reviews, offering a varied indirect tax practice with notable matters regarding VAT. Rebecca Murray appeared as sole counsel in Oculus v HMRC, a strike out application against a Maltese company which made the argument that EU law required the FTT to hear the case, while Max Schofield represented the claimants in DuelFuel Nutrition v HMRC, concerning the application of VAT to products marketed as sports flapjacks and brownies.

Les références

‘Superbly supportive clerking team. The leading set for taxpayers that are found in disputes involving VAT, employment taxes, and tax fraud’

‘Devereaux has the best tax disputes team in the Temple by some margin, and when you engage them, you engage the team. The clerks are superbly receptive and go out of their way to find solutions.’

‘This set is very strong in tax and has a good reputation for a number of different taxes.’

Principaux dossiers

GRAY'S INN TAX CHAMBERS

Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers assists both taxpayers and HMRC, providing advice representation before tribunals and courts. Nicola Shaw KC led Sam Brodsky in The Tower One St George Wharf Limited v Revenue and Customs, a case concerning group relief claims. Michael Firth KC led Harry Winter before the Supreme Court in Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v HMRC, a case on the VAT treatment of hospital car parking charges.

Les références

The clerking team is superb. Ben Stern and Jamie Hall are quick to respond to requests, unfailingly courteous and polite, and a pleasure to deal with.’

‘Ben Stern, Senior Clerk, is excellent. Very responsive and accommodating.’

‘A technically very good set.’

Principaux dossiers

Pump Court Tax Chambers

Providing both advice and advocacy in contentious matters, Pump Court Tax Chambers covers a wide range of indirect tax issues including VAT issues relating to school fees, health care tax exemptions and input tax recovery. Andrew Hitchmough KC has led 2025 silk, Laura Poots KC, in JP Morgan Chase Bank v HMRC, a case concerning the finance exemption as applied to investment banks. Kevin Prosser KC led Quinlan Windle in Wakefield College v HMRC, a case determining if the construction costs of a new college on the basis that it would be used for purposes of a "business". Rupert Baldry KC appeared before the Court of Appeal in Jazztel v HMRC, a test concerning a number of companies who had paid stamp duty reserve tax contrary to EU law. Zizhen Yang is instructed by a recycling company in a case concerning the application of landfill tax to a "valley feature" - required by regulation - sited above a geographical fault, at issue is if a material is disposed "with the intention to discard it".

Les références

‘The clerks are always helpful and available. Mark Rushton is very professional. John Poyser is hugely experienced.’

‘Clerks are very responsive. Luke Sawyer in particular is very helpful.’

‘The clerks are very responsive and very personable.’

Principaux dossiers

Temple Tax Chambers

Temple Tax Chambers is well regarded for its provision of advice and representation on indirect tax. Tim Brown possesses ‘excellent indirect tax knowledge’, having acted for the taxpayer on Innovative Bites Ltd v Revenue & Customs, an appeal concerning the VAT treatment of extra-large marshmallows. Denis Edwards appeared before the Upper Tribunal in R (Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust) v HMRC, a VAT judicial review claim concerning whether supplies made to local authorities of public health services, were business activities or made by the NHS Trust pursuant to a special legal regime.

Classements par PratiqueLondon Bar