Pump Court Tax Chambers > London, England > Set Profile

Pump Court Tax Chambers Offices

Chambers of Kevin Prosser KC
Pump Court Tax Chambers
16 BEDFORD ROW
LONDON
WC1R 4EF
England
Visit website 020 7414 8080 020 7414 8099

Living Wage

Pump Court Tax Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings

London Bar > Tax: corporate Tier 1

Pump Court Tax Chambers has ‘masses of strength and depth’, and is a favoured choice for both HMRC and taxpayer clients in numerous significant mandates. Areas of expertise for the group include unallowable purpose, transfer pricing, and partnership mixed membership rules. Kevin Prosser KC is ‘at the top of his game’, and recently represented the taxpayer before the Court of Appeal in Inmarsat PLC v HMRC, in a matter relating to the entitlement to capital allowances on the cost of launching satellites. David Milne KC has aptitude in international tax matters. David Ewart KC recently acted for HMRC before the Supreme Court in the Franked Investment Income GLO test case, relating to the taxation of dividends paid into the UK by foreign subsidiaries of British companies, leading Elizabeth Wilson KC and Barbara Belgrano. Rupert Baldry KC led Thomas Chacko before the Court of Appeal in Bluecrest Capital Management Cayman Ltd v HMRC, a significant case relating to the tax treatment of LLPs and limited partnerships. Zizhen Yang has experience at courts of all levels, in addition to a robust advisory practice.

Leading Silks

David Ewart KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘A sharp mind that is able to distill the most complex matters into bite-size chunks. Always comforting to have his advice.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Ranked: Tier 1
Kevin Prosser KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Kevin is at the top of his game and puts a huge amount of thought and effort into his advice. He is one of the best advocates at the tax Bar; he is exceptionally well-prepared, thinks quickly on his feet, cross-examines very well and all with a sense of humour.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Rupert Baldry KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers 'He is open-minded and creative.'
Ranked: Tier 2
James Rivett KC  – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Very strong technically, good with clients, puts them at ease.’
Ranked: Tier 2
David Yates KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers – ‘Exceptional technical ability and awareness of dispute trends and HMRC activity - David is incredibly personable and excellent with clients and his advocacy is second to none. His ability to present arguments at all levels of our court system is superb.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Ranked: Tier 3
Giles Goodfellow KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘He has a fine legal mind and delivers top quality advocacy in a refreshingly unaggressive manner. He is very much liked by judges before whom he appears and commands the respect of the court at all times.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Elizabeth Wilson KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Hard working and reliable.’
Ranked: Tier 3

2023 Silks

Michael Thomas KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Very good at exploring both the commercial and tax aspects of the transaction. Good with clients.’

2024 Silks

Sadiya Choudhury KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers 'Charming advocate who has the ear of the court.'

Leading Juniors

Zizhen Yang – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Zizhen is simply excellent. She is meticulously well-prepared. Her written advocacy is persuasive. Her oral submissions are clear and to the point.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Ranked: Tier 1
Jeremy Woolf – Pump Court Tax Chambers 'An in depth knowledge of the law of tax, great client care and easy to work with.'
Ranked: Tier 1
Barbara Belgrano – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Barbara is an absolute pleasure to work with. She is highly diligent, responsive and practical. Her legal knowledge and reasoning abilities are exceptional. Clear, powerful advocacy.’ 
Ranked: Tier 2
Ben Elliott – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Ben is passionate about getting the right result for his clients and this is evidenced by his forensic approach to his cases and shines through in both his oral and written advocacy.’
Ranked: Tier 2
James Henderson – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘James has an excellent manner with clients. He translates complex tax legislation into comprehensible and commercially sensible advice. This ability transfers excellently to the tribunals and courts.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Ranked: Tier 2
Laura Ruxandu  – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Laura's attention to detail is astonishing. She is always extremely well-prepared, shows command of the issues and impresses clients. She is someone you want on your team.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Ronan Magee – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Exceptional maturity and attention to detail - he really gets to grips with the case so you can totally trust him - all while maintaining very good humour and positivity.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Quinlan Windle  - Pump Court Tax Chambers 'Quinlan is thorough, has a keen eye for detail and is all over the evidence. His advocacy is clear, concise and has impressed both instructing solicitors and the client.'
Ranked: Tier 3
Charles Bradley – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Charles is calm, focussed and clear, both in preparation and presentation. When presenting, he is concise and makes the points at issue and his client's position clear without diversion or waffle.’
Ranked: Tier 3

Testimonials

‘John Poyser remains the best clerk in London tax.’

‘I must acknowledge Bruno Antoniotti and John Poyser. Fantastic, pragmatic clerking.’

‘John Poyser is excellent. He is incredibly responsive and always a pleasure to deal with.’

‘Excellent chambers with masses of strength and depth.’

‘The standard of the clerking at Pump Court Tax Chambers is excellent.’

‘Chambers has a very broad skill set and the clerks are always happy to offer sensible recommendations about choice of counsel.’

‘Very strong tax set and has good young blood coming through.’

‘Great set. Clerks are friendly and helpful. Barristers are technically excellent and are a pleasure to work with.’

Work highlights

London Bar > Tax: personal Tier 1

‘Go-to set for tax’ Pump Court Tax Chambers holds ‘some of the finest minds in the business’, with expertise in the full scope of advisory and contentious private client matters, including offshore work. William Massey KC is a key name for inheritance tax, with a practice which covers issues relating to trusts, land, and landed estates. James Rivett KC has strength in offshore taxation, and has represented prominent individuals in contentious tax matters. Kevin Prosser KC has significant litigation experience, including recently appearing in the Upper Tribunal on behalf of hedge fund HFFX concerning the taxation of individual member’s profits. Elizabeth Wilson KC maintains a practice in property relief and estate planning, with a growing offering in trusts. Emma Chamberlain is highly regarded in trust and tax work, with a client base of both UK and foreign domiciliaries.

Leading Silks

David Ewart KC –Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Very effective calm advocacy. Strategically excellent. Technically very sound and always a few steps ahead.’
Ranked: Tier 1
William Massey KC –Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Superb attention to detail and very client-friendly. Excellent in keeping the clients informed at the hearing about what might happen. Very clear in his advice and superb in advocacy.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Kevin Prosser KC –Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Clear advice and thorough analysis.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Ranked: Tier 1
Ranked: Tier 2
Rupert Baldry KC –Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘He communicates well and is ready to give an honest opinion. He is wonderful to work with.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Ranked: Tier 2
Richard Vallat KC –Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Extremely clever and technically excellent.’
Ranked: Tier 3
David Yates KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘David is absolutely excellent. He delivers technical advice at the highest possible level with a down to earth user-friendly approach.’
Ranked: Tier 3

2023 Silks

Michael Thomas KC –Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Michael is very strong on land based taxes and understands the agricultural community well.’

2024 Silks

Leading Juniors

Emma Chamberlain –Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Technically brilliant, commercial, and really the only person anybody with complex offshore trust affairs should go to when the stakes are high. Her experience in domicile is second to none.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Ben Elliott – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Very strong advocate, thinks fast and is always on top of the detail, both the evidence and the technical legal points.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Ranked: Tier 2
Ranked: Tier 2
Ranked: Tier 2
Calypso Blaj - Pump Court Tax Chambers - 'Fantastic in getting to grips with a matter, very knowledgeable on the law, empathetic, and very powerful and tenacious.'
Ranked: Tier 3
Barbara Belgrano – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Barbara is an absolute pleasure to work with. She is highly diligent, responsive and practical. Her legal knowledge and reasoning abilities are exceptional. Clear, powerful advocacy.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Oliver Conolly –Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Very calm and friendly. Technically superb.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Laura Poots –Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Laura Poots has extensive tax experience backed by vast knowledge and analytical powers in addressing tax issues.’
Ranked: Tier 3

Testimonials

‘We have been working with John Poyser, who we have found to be excellent and incredibly helpful. He makes himself available, deals with matters quickly and makes good recommendations of available barristers.’

‘Bruno Antoniotti is particularly efficient.’

‘Pump Court Tax Chambers are the go-to set for tax.’

‘Pump Court Tax Chambers is without doubt the go-to tax chambers for high value/complex private client advice.’

‘They are very good to deal with.’

‘Excellent chambers with some of the finest minds in the business.’

‘Excellent and led by a very good senior clerk.’

‘Top tax set in London.’

Work highlights

London Bar > Tax: VAT and excise Tier 1

Pump Court Tax Chambers offers ‘high-quality barristers from top to bottom’, able to provide expertise in both advisory and contentious matters. Members have experience in the Upper Tribunal, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, and cover issues relating to stamp duty, early termination payments, and input tax recovery, among a broad range of other mandates. David Milne KC and Andrew Hitchmough KC are highly regarded in the space, as is Kevin Prosser KC, who was recently active for ING Bank in a case before the Court of Appeal on a VAT issue relating to the bank’s deposit-taking service. James Rivett KC maintains a broad tax practice, and has been particularly active in the life sciences sector, while Rupert Baldry KC covers indirect tax cases in all forms, including customs duties and stamp taxes. Jeremy White is a notable expert in matters relating to customs and international trade. Zizhen Yang supplements her VAT practice with strength in landfill tax matters, and appeared as sole counsel for the taxpayer in The Prudential Assurance Company v HMRC, a case relating to the VAT grouping regime which was before the Court of Appeal in early 2024.

Rising stars

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.’
Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Silks

Ranked: Tier 1
Andrew Hitchmough KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Andrew is a star in the world of VAT. He has encyclopaedic knowledge of all areas of VAT and is my first choice for the most high stakes VAT cases. Andrew's advocacy is superb - his preparation is meticulous.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Ranked: Tier 2
Rupert Baldry KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers 'Rupert is a consummate professional and always a pleasure to work with. His ability to understand a complex factual matrix in short order is very impressive.'
Ranked: Tier 3
James Rivett KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Tenacious advocate. Free thinking and collaborates extremely well with his solicitors and clients.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Richard Vallat KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Richard is extremely responsive and always over the detail. He gets stuck in to the work and meets deadlines.’
Ranked: Tier 4
Ranked: Tier 4

2023 Silks

Michael Thomas KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Michael is great to work with – very user-friendly, great at explaining complex new concepts both to the lawyers and lay client.’

2024 Silks

Sadiya Choudhury KC – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Excellent grasp of the case law, which is extensive in this area, and the nuances of the appeals procedure.’

Leading Juniors

Zizhen Yang – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Clarity of thought and insight.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Jeremy White – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Jeremy is an excellent barrister and an intimidating opponent. His advocacy is insightful, weighty and persuasive. He has huge knowledge of customs legislation and case law.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Laura Poots – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Laura is outstanding, she is excellent with clients and superb at distilling complex tax into easy advice for the clients to follow.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Ranked: Tier 2
James Henderson – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘He is personable with clients, who warm to him in conference. He is always well-prepared and practical in his advice.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Oliver Conolly – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Intellectually capable, attention to detail is forensic in quality, calm and measured thinker, an outstanding tax specialist.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Barbara Belgrano – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Barbara's attention to detail is amazing. She is exceptionally strong technically. I admire her work ethic. She goes out of her way to ensure clients feel like they are in safe hands.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Quinlan Windle – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Those who work with him are surprised he is so junior. Quinlan is very intelligent and can analyse complex problems and fact patterns with apparent ease.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Thomas Chacko – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘His advocacy, in particular his ability to break down complex legal arguments and explain them with clarity, is impressive.‘
Ranked: Tier 3
Jeremy Woolf – Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘Good insight and willing to contribute to discussions on new laws and cases, in particular.’
Ranked: Tier 3

Testimonials

‘The clerks are always helpful and responsive, which is crucial when dealing with time-sensitive matters.’

‘They are top of their game.’

‘Superb service generally.’

‘I have been impressed with the variety of strengths across the barristers of Pump Court Tax Chambers.’

‘Pump Court Tax Chambers is well-known for its impressive barristers.’

‘Pump Court is obviously a strong set for VAT work, with excellent senior and junior Counsel at all levels.’

‘The set has high quality barristers from top to bottom and can deal with all types of tax matters.’

‘The go-to set for weighty tax disputes.’

Work highlights

London Bar > Professional negligence

Leading Silks

David Yates KC –Pump Court Tax Chambers ‘David is a superb lawyer with an almost unique combination of skills. He would be top of my list of leading counsel for tax related professional liability claims against lawyers.’
Ranked: Tier 3

London Bar > Crypto and blockchain assets

Pump Court Tax Chambers > Set Profile

Pump Court Tax Chambers is the largest specialist set of barristers practising exclusively in tax.

The set: Whatever the tax issue, from large-scale litigation in the higher courts to complex personal tax questions, Pump Court Tax Chambers has the size and experience to assist in every area of revenue law. Its members typically represent the taxpayer, providing tailored advice and appearing before all the tax tribunals and UK courts. They act for solicitors firms of all sizes, accountancy practices ranging from small partnerships to the Big Four, tax advisors, trust companies and directly for in-house professionals from a wide variety of industries. Members also represent HM Revenue and Customs and, as well as the UK government, have acted for overseas governments, including those of Bermuda, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Chambers regularly hosts tax seminars and, as well as speaking widely at industry events, members of chambers contribute to many tax journals and textbooks. Among other works, the set houses the authors of the pioneering tax planning work Potter and Monroe, together with many of the contributing authors of Simons Direct Tax Service. All members of chambers accept instructions under licensed access. Full information about how to instruct members of chambers can be found on chambers website.

Types of work undertaken: Pump Court Tax Chambers fields experts in the full range of corporate and business tax issues, including: mergers and acquisitions, company and group reconstructions and demergers, transfer pricing, losses/capital allowances and structured finance. They advise on methods of computing profits, including the relevance of accounting practice and deductions against receipts. International and EC tax expertise includes the impact of double tax treaties, the EC treaty on the availability of foreign tax credits, utilising offshore losses and the taxation of foreign dividends and intellectual property income.

Chambers assists individuals, trusts and estates with tax planning advice, covering inheritance tax, capital gains tax, income tax and stamp duty land tax issues. Typical examples include the sale and reorganisation of family companies, advice on family trusts, tax planning for landed estates (including business property relief and agricultural property relief), heritage properties and family homes, tax and matrimonial proceedings, and issues surrounding residence and domicile.

Personal and business tax matters come together in relation to employee remuneration. Here, expertise includes advising on share options and pension schemes, employee share ownership plans, profit sharing schemes and national insurance contributions.

A considerable proportion of chambers work relates to advice and litigation in relation to value-added tax, including issues concerning partial exemption, business/non-business, the single market, non-economic activity, European law and alternative remedies such as judicial review and actions for Frankovitch damages. Chambers also provides advice on other indirect taxes, including insurance premium tax, customs duties, landfill tax, climate change levy and aggregates levy.

Members of chambers have specialist expertise in all stamp taxes and, in particular, issues regarding corporate acquisitions and restructuring, property transactions, developments and refinancing.

In addition, several members of chambers have experience of handling professional negligence claims where direct or indirect tax issues have arisen. As well as acting as advocates in such matters, they are also instructed to appear as expert witnesses. They are experienced in all the principal forms of ADR and chambers can offer accredited tax mediators and arbitrators.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Director of Clerking Mark Rushton
Members of Chambers PROSSER KC, Kevin (1982)
Members of Chambers THORNHILL KC, Andrew (1969)
Members of Chambers MILNE KC, David (1970)
Members of Chambers MASSEY KC, William (1977)
Members of Chambers TALLON KC, John (1975)
Members of Chambers GOODFELLOW KC, Giles (1983)
Members of Chambers EWART KC, David (1987)
Members of Chambers BALDRY KC, Rupert (1987)
Members of Chambers HITCHMOUGH KC, Andrew (1991)
Members of Chambers THOMAS KC, Roger (1979)
Members of Chambers VALLAT KC, Richard (1997)
Members of Chambers YATES KC, David (2004)
Members of Chambers RIVETT KC, James (2004)
Members of Chambers WHITE, Jeremy (1976)
Members of Chambers WOOLF, Jeremy (1986)
Members of Chambers CHAMBERLAIN, Emma (1998)
Members of Chambers WILSON, Elizabeth (1995)
Members of Chambers HENDERSON, James (1997)
Members of Chambers DUNN, Sarah (1998)
Members of Chambers THOMAS, Michael (2001)
Members of Chambers CHOUDHURY, Sadiya (2002)
Members of Chambers CONOLLY, Oliver (2003)
Members of Chambers POOTS, Laura (2007)
Members of Chambers CHACKO, Thomas (2007)
Members of Chambers YANG, Zizhen (2009)
Members of Chambers BRADLEY, Charles (2010)
Members of Chambers WALDEGRAVE, Edward (2011)
Members of Chambers BELGRANO, Barbara (2011)
Members of Chambers ELLIOTT, Ben (2012)
Members of Chambers PEARCE, Emma (2014)
Members of Chambers WINDLE, Quinlan (2016)
Members of Chambers MAGEE, Ronan (2016)
Members of Chambers RUXANDU, Laura (2016)
Members of Chambers BLAJ, Calypso (2017)
ADR members OLIVER KC, Sir Stephen
ADR members AVERY-JONES CBE, Dr John
ADR members NIAS, Peter
Door Tenant HERBERT KC, Mark*
Door Tenant EMSLIE SC, Trevor*
Members of Chambers * Door tenants

Barrister Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
John Avery-Jones photo Dr John Avery-Jones John Avery Jones has sat as a judge in the Tax Tribunals… View Profile
Rupert Baldry KC photo Rupert Baldry KC Rupert Baldry has been at Pump Court Tax Chambers since 1993. He… View Profile
Barbara Belgrano photo Barbara Belgrano Barbara joined Chambers in October 2012 after completing her 12- month pupillage.… View Profile
Calypso Blaj photo Calypso Blaj Calypso joined Chambers as a full tenant on 7th October 2020 after… View Profile
Charles Bradley photo Charles Bradley Charles practises in all areas of revenue law. He regularly appears as… View Profile
Thomas Chacko photo Thomas Chacko Tom has been in practice at Pump Court since October 2009 and… View Profile
Emma Chamberlain photo Emma Chamberlain Emma Chamberlain specialises in tax and trust advice for private clients, trusts… View Profile
Sadiya Choudhury KC photo Sadiya Choudhury KC Sadiya was called to the Bar in 2002 and became a member… View Profile
Oliver Conolly photo Oliver Conolly Oliver practices in all areas of tax law. In addition to an all… View Profile
Sarah Dunn photo Sarah Dunn View Profile
Ben Elliott photo Ben Elliott Ben accepts instructions to act and advise in all areas of Chambers’… View Profile
David Ewart KC photo David Ewart KC David Ewart specialises in all areas of taxation, both corporate and personal,… View Profile
Giles Goodfellow KC photo Giles Goodfellow KC Giles’ practice covers the full range of advisory work on direct and… View Profile
James Henderson photo James Henderson James advises on all the major UK taxes. His work covers corporate… View Profile
Andrew Hitchmough KC photo Andrew Hitchmough KC Andrew Hitchmough specialises in all forms of corporate tax, VAT and Customs… View Profile
Ronan Magee photo Ronan Magee Ronan joined Chambers on 2nd October 2018 after completing his twelve-month pupillage.… View Profile
William Massey KC photo William Massey KC William Massey’s practice covers all areas of personal and corporate taxation, tax… View Profile
David Milne KC photo David Milne KC David Milne specializes in both direct and indirect tax, especially litigation and… View Profile
Peter Nias photo Peter Nias Peter Nias is a practising tax specialist Barrister at Pump Court Tax… View Profile
Stephen Oliver KC photo Sir Stephen Oliver KC The first 25 years of Sir Stephen’s professional career were spent at… View Profile
Emma Pearce photo Emma Pearce Emma has a broad advisory and litigation practice which covers all major… View Profile
Laura Poots photo Laura Poots Laura practises in all areas of taxation, acting in the course of… View Profile
Kevin Prosser KC photo Kevin Prosser KC Kevin Prosser is widely recognised and consulted in all types of Revenue… View Profile
James Rivett KC photo James Rivett KC James practises in all areas of revenue law. His practice includes advice… View Profile
Laura Ruxandu photo Laura Ruxandu Laura joined Chambers on 2nd October 2018 after completing her twelve-month pupillage.… View Profile
John Tallon KC photo John Tallon KC John Tallon qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1970 and has been… View Profile
Roger Thomas KC photo Roger Thomas KC Roger’s advisory practice covers a wide area of both direct and indirect… View Profile
Richard Vallat KC photo Richard Vallat KC Richard Vallat practises in all areas of revenue law. His practice includes… View Profile
Jeremy White photo Jeremy White Jeremy White’s practice covers advice and litigation in both civil and criminal… View Profile
Elizabeth Wilson KC photo Elizabeth Wilson KC Elizabeth Wilson practises in all areas of revenue law with particular emphasis… View Profile
Quinlan Windle photo Quinlan Windle Quinlan joined Chambers on 1st October 2017 after completing his twelve month… View Profile
Jeremy Woolf photo Jeremy Woolf Jeremy’s advisory practice covers a wide area of both direct and indirect… View Profile
Zizhen Yang photo Zizhen Yang Possessing a depth of experience across the spectrum of tax issues, in… View Profile
David Yates KC photo David Yates KC David’s practice covers a wide range of tax law areas and related… View Profile

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