Tax: VAT and excise

Pump Court Tax Chambers

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.'

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

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.