The Legal 500

United Kingdom > London Bar > Private client: personal tax

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Index of tables

  1. Private client: personal tax – Leading Sets
  2. Private client: personal tax – Leading Silks
  3. Private client: personal tax – Leading Juniors

One of Pump Court Tax Chambers’ defining characteristics is its ability to ‘match legal expertise with a recognition of the reality of implementing advice’. William Massey QC has an ‘incredibly broad practice’ and ‘knowledge of heritage tax relief that is unrivalled’. Kevin Prosser QC is ‘very knowledgeable and an excellent advocate’, and David Ewart QC is ‘particularly able’ in relation to onshore and offshore inheritance tax and trust related planning. Giles Goodfellow QCcombines a ferocious intelligence with a pragmatic and workable commercialism’. Andrew Thornhill QC is also recommended. Top tax and trusts junior Emma Chamberlain is ‘highly intelligent and extremely well informed on new tax proposals’. Other recommended juniors include Elizabeth Wilson, Richard Vallat - (one of the best private client tax barristers at the Bar’), James Rivett (‘extremely bright, and intellectually agile’), and Ian Richards, who is recommended for his expertise in overseas structures for non-domiciled individuals. Laura Poots is widely regarded as a rising star.

Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers is well regarded in the market, with Michael Flesch QC and Philip Baker QC noted for their international taxation expertise. Former solicitor Patrick Soares has particular expertise in property matters, and Aparna Nathan is ‘extremely approachable and eminently practical, with a disarming sense of fun’. The ‘exceptionally thorough, competent, and client-friendlyMarika Lemos is also recommended.

15 Old Square’s quality of clerking is ‘exceptionally good: friendly and informative as well as efficient and businesslike’. For private client taxation matters, James Kessler QC is ‘a clear leader’ and Stephen Brandon QC is ‘one of the few go-to barristers in this field’. Amanda Hardy is recommended for ‘the extent of her knowledge of the law in relation to taxation of non-residents and foreign domiciliaries’. Harriet Brown is an up-and-coming junior.

11 New Square’s Jonathan Peacock QC and Francis Fitzpatrick are recommended for indirect and direct tax matters.

At 5 Stone Buildings, Christopher Whitehouse is ‘the first port of call for particularly knotty problems’. The ‘inventiveLeon Sartin is ‘the person to turn to first in all inheritance tax planning matters’.

Wilberforce ChambersMichael Furness QC and Jonathan Davey are key taxation practitioners. Davey routinely acts for HM Revenue & Customs.

Christopher McCall QC at Maitland Chambers maintains a strong advisory taxation practice.

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to