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Wilberforce Chambers

Chambers of Michael Furness QC

8 NEW SQUARE, LINCOLN'S INN, LONDON, WC2A 3QP, ENGLAND
Tel:
Work 020 7306 0102
Fax:
Fax 020 7306 0095
DX:
311 LONDON CHANCERY LANE
Email:
Web:
www.wilberforce.co.uk
Wilberforce Chambers (Chambers of Michael Furness QC), Michael Furness QC, London, ENGLAND

Lawyer rankings

Michael Furness QC

Tel:
Work 020 7306 0102
Email:
Wilberforce Chambers (Chambers of Michael Furness QC)

Position

Barrister; formerly first standing junior to the Inland Revenue in Chancery matters; appears regularly in the High Court and Court of Appeal, both for the government and for private clients; outside Revenue litigation, his practice concentrates on pension schemes, trusts, charities and professional negligence, principally in the fields of pensions and tax. Overseas, he has a substantial contentious and non-contentious trust practice mainly in Bermuda, and involving large family trusts. He also appears regularly in the courts of Hong Kong, including three appearances in the Court of Final Appeal.

Career

Called 1982; Lincoln’s Inn; QC 2000; deputy High Court judge 2004.

Member

Association of Pension Lawyers; Chancery Bar Association; Revenue Bar Association.

Education

Cambridge University (MA); Oxford University (BCL).

London Bar

Charities

Within: Leading Silks

Michael Furness QC - Wilberforce Chambers ‘ Is very responsive and knowledgeable. ’

Within: Charities

Wilberforce Chambers continues to be involved in some complex and high-value matters across the charity sector. As an example of his expertise, Jonathan Davey QC is leading in the significant case of Life Services Ltd v Commissioners for HM Revenue and Customs, which is an important test case about the taxation of charities and similar entities. Michael Furness QC has a 'good reputation' among instructing solicitors for charities-related work, aided by his 'quick response time and detailed knowledge' of the sector.

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Offshore

Within: Leading Silks

Michael Furness QC - Wilberforce Chambers ‘ Hugely experienced, with exceptional knowledge in the specialist area of contentious trusts. ’

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Pensions

Within: Leading Silks

Michael Furness QC - Wilberforce Chambers ‘ Hugely experienced with an encyclopaedic knowledge of pensions law. ’

Within: Pensions

Considered the 'pre-eminent set for pensions' by its clients, Wilberforce Chambers ‘is unrivalled in the area of pensions', has 'unparalleled strength-in-depth' and is 'full of iron brains'. In one standout instruction, Brian Green QC acted for the trustees of the BT Pension Scheme  on several issues affecting the pensions of 24,000 members and £2bn liabilities. Meanwhile, in the Court of Appeal, Michael Tennet QC was successful for British Airways in a claim that is considered important in clarifying the roles and responsibilities of trustees. Also of note, Michael Furness QC represents ITV In a case regarding the Box Clever Pension Scheme, which consider's the television network's liabilities for the scheme's deficit.

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Private client: personal tax

Within: Leading Silks

Michael Furness QC - Wilberforce Chambers ‘ Provides incisive, common sense and realistic strategic advice in difficult situations. ’

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Private client: trusts and probate

Within: Leading Silks

Michael Furness QC - Wilberforce Chambers ‘ Hugely experienced with exceptional knowledge in the specialist area of contentious trusts. ’

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Professional negligence

Within: Leading Silks

Michael Furness QC - Wilberforce Chambers ‘ One of the finest technical lawyers and highly respected by judges and opponents alike. ’

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