David Ewart QC | Pump Court Tax Chambers

Career

Called 1987 (Gray’s Inn)

Treasury A Panel (1999 – 2005)

First Chancery Revenue Junior (2000 – 2006)

QC (2006)

Recent cases

Publications

Memberships

Revenue Bar Association

London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association

Chancery Bar Association

Education

Trinity College, Oxford (1986 BA Hons)

The Chambers Guide says...

Corporate Tax
Ranking: Band 1

Handles some of HMRC’s most important test cases, and also regularly represents the Revenue in group litigations. He further acts for taxpayers on significant matters in an advisory capacity and in court. Clients include accountants and multinational corporations. He has experience of an interesting selection of matters including film finance schemes, IHT planning and family partnerships.
“Incisive, efficient and user-friendly.” “His advice is clear, unequivocal and extremely helpful.” (2019)

. . . “Responsive and reliable. He has a knack for expressing difficult concepts simply, precisely and persuasively.” “He provides clear, practical advice.” (2018)

. . . “His advice was clear, unequivocal and extremely helpful.” (2017)

Tax: Private Client
Ranking: Band 2

Highlighted for his work on behalf of the Revenue but also represents private clients in complex tax cases. He often advises on inheritance tax planning matters and family limited partnerships, and he has handled film finance scheme cases recently as well.
“He’s a compelling advocate. He’s always in court, I do wonder how he has the time to prepare so well – whatever his secret is, it works.” (2019)

. . . “He’s very clever and technically impressive.” “Extremely practical, highly intelligent and very talented.” (2018)

As an accomplished private client tax practitioner, he advises clients on trust legislation, BPR and inheritance tax planning. “He is technically a superstar – pragmatic, thorough and imaginative.” “He is sensible, approachable, down-to-earth, low-key but clearly intelligent.” (2017)

The Legal 500 says...

Tax: VAT
Ranking: Leading Silk, Tier 2

‘He possesses an incredibly analytical mind.’ (2018)

‘Deeply knowledgeable but with the flexibility to see both sides of an argument.’ (2017)

‘Very good and very commercial’ (2016)

Tax: Corporate
Ranking: Leading Silk, Tier 2

‘Very intelligent and suited to litigation.’ (2018)

‘He carries invaluable experience over a wide variety of cases.’ (2017)

‘A track record of success on both sides of disputes’ (2016)

Private Client: Personal Tax
Ranking: Leading Silk, Tier 2

‘His technical expertise is second to none.’ (2018)

‘Extremely analytical and practiced at navigating the most complex provisions.’ (2017)

‘He has built himself up a strong practice representing both HMRC and taxpayers.’ (2016)

Chambers and Partners HNW says...

Tax: Private Client

Ranking: Band 2

David Ewart QC acts for the Revenue on tax cases and for high net worth individuals in IHT planning. An instructing solicitor says Ewart “has the ability to get to the nub of the issue even when it is very complicated, and he gives practical advice the client understands at the end of it. He’s also relatively easy to engage with – which is one of the reasons you want to instruct someone.” Fellow counsel say he is “a scary advocate to be against – he doesn’t let things go, he is very tenacious.” (2019)

David Ewart QC is noted for his specialism in representing HMRC in tax cases. He also advises high net worth individuals on Inheritance Tax planning and trusts. “He is absolutely top class,” enthuses one interviewee. Another reports that “he’s a compelling advocate. He’s always in court, I do wonder how he has the time to prepare so well – whatever his secret is, it works.” (2018)