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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- '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.'
- 'Great depth of experience in all things contentious tax related. A go-to choice for instructions with excellent juniors.'
- 'Clerks are approachable and practical.'
Silks
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Pump Court Tax Chambers
'Andrew is very user friendly and excellent with clients, with a robust and practical outlook to managing disputes. Andrew is always one of the team and his technical knowledge is outstanding, making him a favourite to instruct.'
Pump Court Tax Chambers
'David has an excellent client manner and is able to explain complex legal points and give excellent advice on strategy for managing a case.'
Pump Court Tax Chambers
'James is a cool, calm, and insightful barrister who is great at managing client nervousness and challenges, and drawing focus onto the real nub of a dispute. Clients are particularly impressed at James' ability to explain complex issues to lay clients, sharing his experience of litigation in this area and HMRC approach, and combining this with his honestly, to really draw out the challenges and ensuring that work is focused on dealing with these.'
2023 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Pump Court Tax Chambers
‘Michael has an encyclopaedic knowledge of tax law and is very strong in advocacy.’
2024 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Pump Court Tax Chambers
'Sadiya not only knows the relevant law inside and out, but she is able to provide advice that focuses pragmatically on the client's commercial interests.'
Juniors
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Pump Court Tax Chambers
'Zizhen has a phenomenal understanding and knowledge of not just the VAT legislation, but all the rules and guidance notes too. She is an exemplary lawyer with a keen intellect.'
Pump Court Tax Chambers
'James is excellent at distilling complex issues and presenting them in a straightforward manner to the client. He is very client friendly, adapting his approach as necessary for the client, and he makes each instruction enjoyable and promptly replies to all queries relating to instructions or during a hearing.'
Pump Court Tax Chambers
‘Jeremy is the doyen of customs duty practitioners. He is simply the best in that area.’
Pump Court Tax Chambers
'Barbara is a joy to work with. She is sharp and pragmatic, even in stressful circumstances, and her passion is self-evident and inspires confidences in clients.'
Pump Court Tax Chambers
‘Jeremy is exceptionally good regarding complex tax law and he is also very user-friendly and well-liked by clients.’
Pump Court Tax Chambers
‘Oliver is a tax barrister who is able to turn his hand to wider public law issues.’
Leading Juniors
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
Pump Court Tax Chambers
'Zizhen has a phenomenal understanding and knowledge of not just the VAT legislation, but all the rules and guidance notes too. She is an exemplary lawyer with a keen intellect.'
Pump Court Tax Chambers
'James is excellent at distilling complex issues and presenting them in a straightforward manner to the client. He is very client friendly, adapting his approach as necessary for the client, and he makes each instruction enjoyable and promptly replies to all queries relating to instructions or during a hearing.'
Pump Court Tax Chambers
‘Jeremy is the doyen of customs duty practitioners. He is simply the best in that area.’
Pump Court Tax Chambers
'Barbara is a joy to work with. She is sharp and pragmatic, even in stressful circumstances, and her passion is self-evident and inspires confidences in clients.'
Pump Court Tax Chambers
‘Jeremy is exceptionally good regarding complex tax law and he is also very user-friendly and well-liked by clients.’
Pump Court Tax Chambers
‘Oliver is a tax barrister who is able to turn his hand to wider public law issues.’