Download CV as PDFGraham Aaronson practises exclusively in commercial taxation, with extensive experience both in advisory work and in litigation through to the Supreme Court and the ECJ. For many years he has concentrated on a number of particular areas of commercial taxation – especially complex transfer pricing disputes, the UK taxation of multinationals, and oil taxation. He is currently the lead Counsel for the claimants in 5 of the 6 ongoing EU law based “Group Litigation Order” corporate tax actions against HMRC. A substantial proportion of his time is devoted to dispute resolution, whether preparing and conducting litigation or advising on the strategy and tactics for achieving a successful resolution of disputes through negotiation or mediation. His client base comprises virtually all of the multinationals with operations in the UK. Instructions are often direct from the largest companies as well as through all of the big 4 accountancy firms and most of the major law firms.
Career
Called 1966, Middle Temple
Bencher 1991
QC 1982
Managing director Bridgend Group Plc 1972-77
Policy adviser on tax reform Treasury State of Israel 1986-88
Chairman Tax Law Review Committee 1994-97
Chairman Revenue Bar Association 1995-98
Recent notable cases
Hoechst AG v IRC; Marks & Spencer v Halsey; BMBF v Mawson; Scottish Provident Institution v IRC; Loss Relief GLO; Treaty Credits GLO; FII GLO; Thin Cap GLO; CFC and Dividends GLO; HSBC v Stubbs; Mars UK Ltd v Small, William Grant & Sons Distillers Ltd v IRC.
Memberships
Revenue Bar Association
Education
City of London School
Trinity Hall, Cambridge (1968 MA)
The Legal 500 says...
Tax: Corporate and VAT
Ranking: Corporate Tax: Leading Silk, 1st tier
‘One of the go-to silks for heavy duty EU tax work' and 'incredibly experienced tax barrister' (2010)
The Chambers Guide says...
Corporate Tax
Ranking: Leading Silks, Star Individual
It includes heavyweight performer Graham Aaronson QC, who is an expert on the taxation of structured finance transactions, transfer pricing, the UK taxation of multinationals and petroleum revenue tax. As "one of the most experienced, knowledgeable and respected direct tax silks," he has been instructed by the biggest corporations, accountants and law firms. He is known as an "incisive advocate and superb tactician" and is especially noted for his "skills before the higher courts." (2010)
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