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England - London Bar
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Tax: VAT and excise

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Pump Court Tax Chambers

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Providing both advice and advocacy in contentious matters, Pump Court Tax Chambers  covers a wide range of indirect tax issues including VAT issues relating to school fees, health care tax exemptions and input tax recovery. Andrew Hitchmough KC has led 2025 silk, Laura Poots KC, in JP Morgan Chase Bank v HMRC, a case concerning the finance exemption as applied to investment banks. Kevin Prosser KC led Quinlan Windle in Wakefield College v HMRC, a case determining if the construction costs of a new college  on the basis that it would be used for purposes of a "business". Rupert Baldry KC appeared before the Court of Appeal in Jazztel v HMRC, a test concerning a number of companies who had paid stamp duty reserve tax contrary to EU law. Zizhen Yang  is instructed by a recycling company in a case concerning the application of landfill tax to a "valley feature" - required by regulation - sited above a geographical fault, at issue is if a material is disposed "with the intention to discard it".
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The clerks are always helpful and available.  Mark Rushton is very professional.  John Poyser is hugely experienced.'
  • 'Clerks are very responsive. Luke Sawyer in particular is very helpful.'
  • 'The clerks are very responsive and very personable.'
  • 'Pump Court Tax Chambers are the go-to set for VAT matters.'
  • 'Top tax set.'
  • 'Very happy with Chambers.'

Lawyers

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.

1
Andrew Hitchmough KC
‘Andrew is top-tier for VAT.  He prepares cases thoroughly.  He has the rare ability to combine mastery of detail with a concise and persuasive articulation. He is very commercial and relates well to clients.  They have complete trust in him.'
1
David Milne KC
2
Kevin Prosser KC
3
Rupert Baldry KC
Rupert is an excellent trial advocate. He sees the wood for the trees, does not waste client time and always delivers excellent customer service.'
3
James Rivett KC
‘James is a superb litigator, he is highly strategic and forensic in his approach to evidence, no stone is left unturned. He is an exceptionally clear and persuasive advocate, his arguments are compelling.'
4
Richard Vallat KC
4
David Yates KC
'David is one of the best silks at the tax bar, and can hold his own against anyone.'

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.

1
Sadiya Choudhury KC

2025 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.

1
Laura Poots KC

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.

1
Ben Elliott
‘Strong advocate, with a keen eye for detail. A professional yet personable approach. Has an intellectual and commercial mindset.’
1
Jeremy White
‘Jeremy is a fearless and exciting advocate. A barrister with exceptional technical expertise in customs, Jeremy can capture complex industry points and encapsulate them in a way a court can easily digest. A real leader in his field.'
1
Zizhen Yang
‘Zizhen is hard-working and thorough in her approach to advice and litigation. She is a precise, clear and resilient advocate.'
2
Barbara Belgrano
‘Barbara is an excellent barrister. She has a strong, confident advocacy style, and an excellent client manner. Very hard working. Insightful analysis. A real team player. Responsive and user-friendly. A pleasure to work with.'
2
Oliver Conolly
‘Good on paper, and very knowledgeable.'
2
James Henderson
3
Calypso Blaj
‘Calypso is an excellent tax junior. She is extremely reliable. She is very bright and has a polished written style.’
3
Thomas Chacko
‘Thomas is very considerate in his approach and easy to deal with. His analysis is particularly strong.'
3
Quinlan Windle
‘Thorough, extremely well-prepared, persuasive and very approachable.’
3
Jeremy Woolf
‘He listens and adapts his advice to challenges brought and the circumstances. In that way, Jeremy is a strategic, practical and likeable barrister.'