Directory testimonials
CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS (2010 edition)
TAX
"Very commercial and easy to use," Pump Court has "always been a pre-eminent tax set." It is "a large set of chambers, reasonably priced and with a wide range of expertise," say sources. All aspects of tax work are handled, but the consensus view is that this chambers is ahead when it comes to tax planning and tax litigation. 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." David Milne QC advises and represents major law firms, accountants and multinationals, regularly appearing in the ECJ and House of Lords in the most complex and high-value disputes. A "first-class advocate," he has "an unerring knack in the courtroom of knowing when and how far to push a particular argument to maximise the prospects of success." Milne represented Robert Gaines-Cooper in his judicial review action against HMRC, a case which is highly significant for all those wanting to be treated as non-resident for tax purposes while still spending part of the year in the UK. Kevin Prosser QC has an impressive record of handling tax cases in courts and tribunals of all levels. He also offers specialist advice in areas as diverse as transfer pricing and Islamic finance. Prosser is noted for his "incredible tenacity and exceptionally clear, highly commercial and well-considered advice." David Ewart QC specialises in all areas of taxation. Formerly First Chancery Counsel, Ewart has acted on almost all of HMRC’s major pieces of recent litigation, in addition to building up an impressive client base of leading law firms, accountants and multinationals. He is described as "extremely talented and hard-working" and is widely acknowledge for his "superb commercial and technical skills." Head of chambers Andrew Thornhill QC has a broad practice covering advisory and litigation work. He has particular expertise in share schemes and Schedule E employee renumeration, and is also well versed in the tax treatment of UK property transactions purchased using offshore vehicles. Clients say he is "a brilliant lateral thinker" and "a stellar advocate who is creative and not afraid of taking a challenging position." Julian Ghosh QC is "technically strong and has good judgement." He advises on all aspects of corporate tax but is singled out for his knowledge of derivatives, loan relationships and EU law. Clients find him "very commercial and unstuffy," commenting that he is "always available and attentive." Giles Goodfellow QC is well known for his advice on corporate reorganisations, share incentive schemes and controlled foreign companies legislation. He also has expertise in personal tax, and is commended as "a first-class tactitian and litigator who gets involved in the nitty-gritty. He leaves no stone unturned." The multi-talented Rupert Baldry has considerable experience appearing before tribunals, including the ECJ. He maintains a busy corporate practice alongside his top VAT practice and is valued for "giving pragmatic advice based on a wealth of knowledge." Jeremy Woolf has a diverse practice that includes contentious and non-contentious matters, judicial review and human rights issues. He has been all the way to the ECJ in a number of important tribunal cases. Observers confirm that he is "on the ball, highly knowledgeable, prompt and responsive." James Henderson has recently been assisting Graham Aaronson QC in a highly complex and important transfer pricing case, although he is increasingly taking on more of his own work. This skilled all-rounder handles corporate, private client, and indirect tax advice and litigation, and has experience of presenting cases at the High Court, Court of Appeal and House of Lords. Finally, Richard Vallat has acted for a wide range of household names, including corporate and private clients and major City law firms. He is described as "fantastically intelligent and industrious."
TAX: INDIRECT TAX
VAT expert David Milne QC is a first-class adviser and litigator, known for his "smooth, subtle and unflappable" demeanour in court. His depth of knowledge and persuasive charm is in high demand, and he has appeared in many of the most important reported VAT cases. Opponents note his "remarkable rapport with the court," describing him as "someone you don't want to see on the other side." Kevin Prosser QC is highly praised for his "articulate and effective" advocacy, and his "tireless work in pursuit of his clients' objectives." He regularly appears in the House of Lords, Court of Appeal, High Court, ECJ and VAT tribunals. "Technically strong and with good judgement," Julian Ghosh QC brings "a confident approach" to his broad practice, which includes indirect tax work mainly for HMRC. Advising on EU tax issues and their interaction with UK tax regimes is a particular strength. The highly recommended Rupert Baldry is praised for being "fantastic at indirect tax matters." As well as acting in an advisory capacity, he has earned a notable reputation as a litigator, establishing an impressive track record of important recorded VAT cases. Roger Thomas is praised for his "good, commercial, technical advice" on VAT and stamp duty issues, with clients noting he is "absolutely excellent on the indirect tax side." He has appeared regularly in the ECJ and House of Lords. Penny Hamilton is the author of 'Hamilton on VAT and Duties Appeals'. Among her niche areas of expertise are landfill tax, climate change levy, aggregates levy and insurance premium tax. Clients say: "Her views and methods are respected and she has a good rapport with the tribunal." Andrew Hitchmough has had a very busy year dealing with corporate, VAT and indirect tax matters. He earns praise for his litigation and advisory work, with clients noting he is "confident and decisive, and has the ability to make complex matters sound simple." He leads on virtually all of his cases and has a successful track record in the higher courts and tribunals.
TAX: PRIVATE CLIENT
Private client work is an important part of this set's extensive tax practice. Clients acknowledge its strength in this area and "would be more than happy to go here with any really meaty tax matter." This strength derives from the fact that it has individuals such as William Massey QC on board, "a hugely respected figure who is steeped in knowledge of the law." His practice focuses on estate and tax planning for high net worth individuals. Kevin Prosser QC, like Massey, is a leader in the field. "An outstanding practitioner and an excellent litigator," he has a commendable record of handling tax cases in the House of Lords, Court of Appeal, High Court, ECJ and VAT tribunal. Private client work makes up a significant part of his broad practice. Accomplished all-rounder David Ewart QC is considered one of the country's leading experts on inheritance tax. Clients have "complete faith in his ability" thanks to his "great thoroughness, thoughtfulness and intimate understanding of tax law." The "technically adept and client-friendly" Julian Ghosh QC advises on all aspects of personal tax. His largely international private client practice is reflective of his notable expertise in European tax law. It contains top junior Emma Chamberlain, whose practice centres mainly on estate planning for high net worth individuals. She is especially noted for her advice on trusts, non-domiciliaries, tax issues regarding divorce, and wills. Interviewees declare her "very good technically and great on the detail," and value her "invaluable accounting expertise. Elizabeth Wilson advises and litigates on a broad range of areas. On the private client side, she has developed a special knowledge of inheritance tax, offshore trust planning and planning for non-domiciliaries.
LEGAL 500 (2010 edition)
TAX: CORPORATE AND VAT
Pump Court Tax Chambers remains the other specialist set at the top, with senior clerk Nigel Jones and first junior Jim Reeves very highly rated by clients. Andrew Thornhill QC is ‘outstanding in judicial reviews and unafraid to give firm advice’. Chambers also fields ‘one of the go-to silks for heavy duty EU tax work’ and ‘incredibly experienced tax barrister’ Graham Aaronson QC. Leading VAT silk David Milne QC is ‘approachable, avuncular and a very safe pair of hands’, and has ‘an unerring knack of knowing when and how far to push arguments to maximise the prospect of success’. The ‘quite brilliant’ Kevin Prosser QC is described as the ‘leading tax silk of the younger generation’ and particularly noted for his excellent advocacy and ‘quick intellect’. David Ewart QC and Julian Ghosh QC also receive high praise. Rupert Baldry QC, who took silk in 2010, remains a strong force. At the junior end, ‘technically strong and excellent advocate’ Andrew Hitchmough has an ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of VAT’, and James Henderson and the ‘shrewd’ Roger Thomas are also highly regarded.
PRIVATE CLIENT: PERSONAL TAX
At Pump Court Tax Chambers, ‘counsel are commercial, knowledgeable and practical’. David Ewart QC demonstrates ‘technical ability’ coupled with ‘a commercial and friendly approach’. Giles Goodfellow QC ‘produces well-reasoned opinions’, and new silk Rupert Baldry QC is ‘best known for his work in relation to VAT, although his practice covers all aspects of commercial tax’. Andrew Thornhill QC offers ‘clear, concise and pragmatic advice’, and Richard Vallat ‘responds quickly and is easy to work with’.