Monckton Chambers is praised as a ‘leading set for VAT’ and other indirect tax matters, and the set’s expertise in EU and public law enables its members to handle a wide range of complex cases for both taxpayers and HMRC. Melanie Hall KC has significant experience advising clients in the financial services sector. Of recent note, she was instructed by the taxpayer in E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd v HMRC, which concerned the refusal of HMRC to allow private ambulance operators to claim zero-rate VAT. Philip Moser KC has notable expertise in EU-related tax, VAT, and customs matters, in addition to VAT fraud. Valentina Sloane KC also has an impressive case load, and is representing Fenix International – operator of OnlyFans, a subscription content platform primarily used by sex workers – in one of the last British to reach the European Court of Justice, concerning if VAT should be charged on the full cost of content, or on the part of it which is the platform's fee.
Tax: VAT and excise in
London Bar
Monckton Chambers
Testimonials
‘Monckton Chambers is a leading set for VAT.’
‘There is real strength in depth in Monckton Chambers and the clerks are always very helpful.’
‘There is a good deal of expertise in depth at Monckton Chambers the area of tax litigation. There is a real sense that to have Monckton barristers representing you puts you at an advantage.’
‘Chris O’Brien is excellent.’
‘Chris O’Brien is great to deal with.’
‘Excellent service from the clerking team, who are all very client focused and realistic in fee negotiations.’
‘The clerks room is fantastic. They are extremely accommodating and commercial and there is a real feeling that they are going the extra mile.’
‘The clerks are always reliable and flexible on fees.’
Pump Court Tax Chambers
Pump Court Tax Chambers is highlighted by clients as ‘one of the top tax chambers in the country and a go-to for the most complex of tax cases’, including both contentious and advisory matters. Key areas of strength for the set include VAT-related mandates in the charity, the financial services and healthcare sectors, gaming, and insurance. The set is home to notable silks such as David Milne KC, Kevin Prosser KC and Andrew Hitchmough KC, as well as Rupert Baldry KC, who has expertise in indirect tax, encompassing VAT stamp taxes and customs duties, as well as more specialist areas, such as aggregates levy. Zizhen Yang has notable expertise in VAT and landfill tax matters, and she acted for Devon Waste Management and Biffa Waste Services against HMRC in a complex landfill tax case in the Court of Appeal regarding whether the layer of residual waste used by landfill operators to line cells was liable to be taxed. Barbara Belgrano also represents clients before the higher UK courts, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and matters in the gambling sector are areas of strength for Laura Poots.
Testimonials
‘The clerks are great, particularly John Poyser.’
‘John Poyser is the best clerk in London.’
‘Rob Adams is particularly good, as is John Poyser. ‘
‘Bruno Antoniotti and John Poyser are stand outs who are always practical and sensible in fee discussions. Diary management is also outstanding.’
Pump Court Tax Chambers is an excellent set. Whether counsel or clerk, one can observe high-standards and a willingness to accept instructions.’
‘Pump Court Tax Chambers is a leader in its field and a first port of call for any tax-related advice.’
‘Certainly one of the top tax chambers in the country and a go-to for the most complex of tax cases.’
‘The best tax set in London with an excellent array of barristers for all areas of tax.’
1 Crown Office Row
1 Crown Office Row handles the entire spectrum of tax litigation and its members are instructed on behalf of both taxpayers and HMRC. Indirect tax experts Owain Thomas KC and Sarabjit Singh KC jointly lead the team, which has significant experience handling cases at all levels, from first-tier tribunals to the Supreme Court, as well as the Court of Justice of the European Union. Thomas KC successfully represented HMRC in a Court of Appeal case against Build-A-Bear Workshop concerning whether imported bear accessories were classified as accessories for dolls or for toys in relation to related EU tariffs. The set is also home to Natasha Barnes, who has represented clients before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and the Administrative Court, and Isabel McArdle, who has substantial expertise in matters regarding VAT, customs and excise. Edward Waldegrave joined the team from Pump Court Chambers in March 2023, and he is experienced in high-stakes cases.
11 New Square
11 New Square is a well-known specialist tax set and it regularly handles indirect tax mandates for the Big Four accountancy firms and major city law firms, as well as regional accountancy practices and firms. Its members have regularly acted before the higher UK courts, as well as the Court of Justice of the European Union. Jonathan Peacock KC has a strong VAT practice, and of recent note, he was instructed by News Corp against HMRC in a Supreme Court test case regarding the VAT treatment of electronic newspapers. Francis Fitzpatrick KC is a specialist tax litigator and advisor with notable strength in international tax matters. Hui Ling McCarthy KC is another key member of the set, and she is frequently instructed by both taxpayers and HMRC; she represented the latter in a Court of Appeal case regarding the difference between a car and a van for the purpose of employment income tax (Payne, Garbett and Coca Cola v HMRC). John Brinsmead-Stockham KC made silk in the 2023 round.
Devereux
Devereux‘s members act for taxpayers and the government across the entire spectrum of direct and indirect tax-related mandates. The set is home to Felicity Cullen KC, who regularly advises owner managed businesses, and Barrie Akin, who acted for the taxpayer in Mitchell and Bell v HMRC, a Court of Appeal case concerning whether the taxpayer was allowed to see documents relating to a business partner in Personal Liability Notice proceedings. Marika Lemos often represents HMRC in complex cases such as Carter & Kennedy v HMRC, an appeal by the taxpayer against the decision of the First-Tier Tribunal regarding the ‘hypothetical officer test’, which found that the discovery assessment issued to the taxpayer was valid. Howard Watkinson is another key member of the set, which saw the addition of Max Schofield in January 2023 with expertise in representing large multinationals and start-up companies.
Testimonials
‘The counsel at Devereux are extremely good and they bring a large number of good juniors through.’
Essex Court Chambers
Essex Court Chambers is home to Stephen Donnelly, who has a growing indirect tax practice that is complimented by his strengths in commercial and chancery disputes. He represented Royal Surrey NHS Trust in a judicial review regarding HMRC’s refusal to allow the trust to recover input VAT following the purchase of linear accelerators for use in radiotherapy. Roderick Cordara KC and Edward Brown KC are two silks in chambers active in this area.
Work highlights
GRAY'S INN TAX CHAMBERS
Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers‘ members have significant expertise handling work predominately for individuals and institutions in tax-related litigation against HMRC. Nicola Shaw KC is highly skilled in contentious indirect tax mandates, representing clients at all levels of court, including the Court of Justice of the European Union. Laurent Sykes KC has strong expertise in custom duties cases, and both he and Michael Firth represented the claimants in Test Claimants v Royal Mail Group Ltd, a High Court case concerning bespoke services provided to business, which until 2009 both Royal Mail and its customers incorrectly believed were exempt from VAT. The set is also home to Michael Jones KC, who acts for taxpayers and HMRC, and is especially skilled in commercial disputes with tax-related elements.
Temple Tax Chambers
The team at Temple Tax Chambers has significant expertise in indirect tax matters. Tim Brown‘s practice predominately focuses on VAT, customs, and excise duties, and he is regularly instructed by taxpayers as well as high-profile public entities. Denis Edwards is another notable member of the set, and he acted for the taxpayer in Lothian NHS Trust v HMRC, which concerned issues of whether the Trust had provided sufficient evidence to support its unrecovered VAT claims on private external work that had been done by scientific labs. Lyndsey Frawley is a specialised VAT advisor and tax litigator, and she represented BT against HMRC in a First-Tier Tribunal claim regarding a refund for overpaid VAT caused by a failure of the UK to implement an EU compliant bad relief regime between 1978 and 1989.
Testimonials
‘Very good set with barristers who are always available and accessible.’
‘The training and webinar support is very valuable.’
‘Excellent clerks who are always available and very responsive.’
‘Efficient clerks.’
39 Essex Chambers
The members at 39 Essex Chambers have substantial experience in a variety of tax-related matters. Timothy Lyons KC represents multinational enterprises, high-net-worth individuals, and the UK and foreign governmental departments, and in direct tax matters, he has particular expertise in international matters. Senior junior Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho is instructed on a wide range of tax disputes, including tax tribunal appeals, High Court claims, and European Commission proceedings. She is also active in taxation disciplinary board cases, including those regarding allegations of VAT fraud.
Blackstone Chambers
Indirect tax is a particular area of expertise for a number of the members of Blackstone Chambers. Sam Grodzinski KC has a well-established and broad tax practice, and his cases often involve elements of public law. The set is also home to Kieron Beal KC, who is regularly instructed in judicial review proceedings regarding tax-related mandates for taxpayers and HMRC. Of recent note, he represented the taxpayer in GB Fleet Hire v HMRC, which overturned the First-Tier Tribunal’s decision to strike out an appeal regarding the refusal to register the taxpayer for VAT.
Testimonials
‘Dean Tolman stands out for his sensible fee propositions and accessibility, and a shout out also to the marketing department for their series aimed at growing awareness of the law profession amongst girls and children from disadvantaged areas in particular, which was very impressive.’
‘The set has excellent depth of skills amongst chambers’ members, and counsel availability is excellent.’
‘Excellent clerking team.’
‘Always have good experiences from the clerks’ room.’
Monckton Chambers
Testimonials
‘Monckton Chambers is a leading set for VAT.’
‘There is real strength in depth in Monckton Chambers and the clerks are always very helpful.’
‘There is a good deal of expertise in depth at Monckton Chambers the area of tax litigation. There is a real sense that to have Monckton barristers representing you puts you at an advantage.’
‘Chris O’Brien is excellent.’
‘Chris O’Brien is great to deal with.’
‘Excellent service from the clerking team, who are all very client focused and realistic in fee negotiations.’
‘The clerks room is fantastic. They are extremely accommodating and commercial and there is a real feeling that they are going the extra mile.’
‘The clerks are always reliable and flexible on fees.’
Pump Court Tax Chambers
Pump Court Tax Chambers is highlighted by clients as ‘one of the top tax chambers in the country and a go-to for the most complex of tax cases’, including both contentious and advisory matters. Key areas of strength for the set include VAT-related mandates in the charity, the financial services and healthcare sectors, gaming, and insurance. The set is home to notable silks such as David Milne KC, Kevin Prosser KC and Andrew Hitchmough KC, as well as Rupert Baldry KC, who has expertise in indirect tax, encompassing VAT stamp taxes and customs duties, as well as more specialist areas, such as aggregates levy. Zizhen Yang has notable expertise in VAT and landfill tax matters, and she acted for Devon Waste Management and Biffa Waste Services against HMRC in a complex landfill tax case in the Court of Appeal regarding whether the layer of residual waste used by landfill operators to line cells was liable to be taxed. Barbara Belgrano also represents clients before the higher UK courts, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and matters in the gambling sector are areas of strength for Laura Poots.
Testimonials
‘The clerks are great, particularly John Poyser.’
‘John Poyser is the best clerk in London.’
‘Rob Adams is particularly good, as is John Poyser. ‘
‘Bruno Antoniotti and John Poyser are stand outs who are always practical and sensible in fee discussions. Diary management is also outstanding.’
Pump Court Tax Chambers is an excellent set. Whether counsel or clerk, one can observe high-standards and a willingness to accept instructions.’
‘Pump Court Tax Chambers is a leader in its field and a first port of call for any tax-related advice.’
‘Certainly one of the top tax chambers in the country and a go-to for the most complex of tax cases.’
‘The best tax set in London with an excellent array of barristers for all areas of tax.’
1 Crown Office Row
1 Crown Office Row handles the entire spectrum of tax litigation and its members are instructed on behalf of both taxpayers and HMRC. Indirect tax experts Owain Thomas KC and Sarabjit Singh KC jointly lead the team, which has significant experience handling cases at all levels, from first-tier tribunals to the Supreme Court, as well as the Court of Justice of the European Union. Thomas KC successfully represented HMRC in a Court of Appeal case against Build-A-Bear Workshop concerning whether imported bear accessories were classified as accessories for dolls or for toys in relation to related EU tariffs. The set is also home to Natasha Barnes, who has represented clients before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and the Administrative Court, and Isabel McArdle, who has substantial expertise in matters regarding VAT, customs and excise. Edward Waldegrave joined the team from Pump Court Chambers in March 2023, and he is experienced in high-stakes cases.
11 New Square
11 New Square is a well-known specialist tax set and it regularly handles indirect tax mandates for the Big Four accountancy firms and major city law firms, as well as regional accountancy practices and firms. Its members have regularly acted before the higher UK courts, as well as the Court of Justice of the European Union. Jonathan Peacock KC has a strong VAT practice, and of recent note, he was instructed by News Corp against HMRC in a Supreme Court test case regarding the VAT treatment of electronic newspapers. Francis Fitzpatrick KC is a specialist tax litigator and advisor with notable strength in international tax matters. Hui Ling McCarthy KC is another key member of the set, and she is frequently instructed by both taxpayers and HMRC; she represented the latter in a Court of Appeal case regarding the difference between a car and a van for the purpose of employment income tax (Payne, Garbett and Coca Cola v HMRC). John Brinsmead-Stockham KC made silk in the 2023 round.
Devereux
Devereux‘s members act for taxpayers and the government across the entire spectrum of direct and indirect tax-related mandates. The set is home to Felicity Cullen KC, who regularly advises owner managed businesses, and Barrie Akin, who acted for the taxpayer in Mitchell and Bell v HMRC, a Court of Appeal case concerning whether the taxpayer was allowed to see documents relating to a business partner in Personal Liability Notice proceedings. Marika Lemos often represents HMRC in complex cases such as Carter & Kennedy v HMRC, an appeal by the taxpayer against the decision of the First-Tier Tribunal regarding the ‘hypothetical officer test’, which found that the discovery assessment issued to the taxpayer was valid. Howard Watkinson is another key member of the set, which saw the addition of Max Schofield in January 2023 with expertise in representing large multinationals and start-up companies.
Testimonials
‘The counsel at Devereux are extremely good and they bring a large number of good juniors through.’
Essex Court Chambers
Essex Court Chambers is home to Stephen Donnelly, who has a growing indirect tax practice that is complimented by his strengths in commercial and chancery disputes. He represented Royal Surrey NHS Trust in a judicial review regarding HMRC’s refusal to allow the trust to recover input VAT following the purchase of linear accelerators for use in radiotherapy. Roderick Cordara KC and Edward Brown KC are two silks in chambers active in this area.
Work highlights
GRAY'S INN TAX CHAMBERS
Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers‘ members have significant expertise handling work predominately for individuals and institutions in tax-related litigation against HMRC. Nicola Shaw KC is highly skilled in contentious indirect tax mandates, representing clients at all levels of court, including the Court of Justice of the European Union. Laurent Sykes KC has strong expertise in custom duties cases, and both he and Michael Firth represented the claimants in Test Claimants v Royal Mail Group Ltd, a High Court case concerning bespoke services provided to business, which until 2009 both Royal Mail and its customers incorrectly believed were exempt from VAT. The set is also home to Michael Jones KC, who acts for taxpayers and HMRC, and is especially skilled in commercial disputes with tax-related elements.
Temple Tax Chambers
The team at Temple Tax Chambers has significant expertise in indirect tax matters. Tim Brown‘s practice predominately focuses on VAT, customs, and excise duties, and he is regularly instructed by taxpayers as well as high-profile public entities. Denis Edwards is another notable member of the set, and he acted for the taxpayer in Lothian NHS Trust v HMRC, which concerned issues of whether the Trust had provided sufficient evidence to support its unrecovered VAT claims on private external work that had been done by scientific labs. Lyndsey Frawley is a specialised VAT advisor and tax litigator, and she represented BT against HMRC in a First-Tier Tribunal claim regarding a refund for overpaid VAT caused by a failure of the UK to implement an EU compliant bad relief regime between 1978 and 1989.
Testimonials
‘Very good set with barristers who are always available and accessible.’
‘The training and webinar support is very valuable.’
‘Excellent clerks who are always available and very responsive.’
‘Efficient clerks.’
39 Essex Chambers
The members at 39 Essex Chambers have substantial experience in a variety of tax-related matters. Timothy Lyons KC represents multinational enterprises, high-net-worth individuals, and the UK and foreign governmental departments, and in direct tax matters, he has particular expertise in international matters. Senior junior Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho is instructed on a wide range of tax disputes, including tax tribunal appeals, High Court claims, and European Commission proceedings. She is also active in taxation disciplinary board cases, including those regarding allegations of VAT fraud.
Blackstone Chambers
Indirect tax is a particular area of expertise for a number of the members of Blackstone Chambers. Sam Grodzinski KC has a well-established and broad tax practice, and his cases often involve elements of public law. The set is also home to Kieron Beal KC, who is regularly instructed in judicial review proceedings regarding tax-related mandates for taxpayers and HMRC. Of recent note, he represented the taxpayer in GB Fleet Hire v HMRC, which overturned the First-Tier Tribunal’s decision to strike out an appeal regarding the refusal to register the taxpayer for VAT.
Testimonials
‘Dean Tolman stands out for his sensible fee propositions and accessibility, and a shout out also to the marketing department for their series aimed at growing awareness of the law profession amongst girls and children from disadvantaged areas in particular, which was very impressive.’
‘The set has excellent depth of skills amongst chambers’ members, and counsel availability is excellent.’
‘Excellent clerking team.’
‘Always have good experiences from the clerks’ room.’