Felicity Cullen KC > Chambers of Andrew Burns KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

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.

The Devereux tax group covers a broad range of contentious and non-contentious tax matters, and benefits from internal strength in core areas such as employment, commercial disputes and professional negligence. Members are regularly active for HMRC, but appear for both taxpayers and the government at all levels of the courts. Felicity Cullen KC advises owner managed businesses on complex international matters. Crossing over with his employment and sports expertise, Akash Nawbatt KC appeared before the Supreme Court in HMRC v Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, on the employment status and tax treatment of professional football referees. Aparna Nathan KC utilised capital allowances expertise as sole counsel for HMRC in Cheshire Cavity Storage 1 Limited, EDF Energy v HMRC, while Christopher Stone KC has a highly active disputes practice. Glenn Billenness was appointed director of clerking and business development in 2023.

Devereux‘s private client practice provides comprehensive service in both advisory and contentious matters. Felicity Cullen KC is noted for her ‘thorough, thoughtful, insightful analysis’, and is experienced in advising owner managed business, as well as high and ultra-high net worth individuals. Aparna Nathan KC‘s client base includes historic estates and foreign royalty, and covers a diverse range of matters including mixed member partnership issues. Marika Lemos appeared for the taxpayer in HMRC v Wilkes, a key case concerning the validity of discovery assessments issued by HMRC.