Richard Vallat practises in all areas of revenue law. His practice includes advice and litigation in the following areas: personal tax, corporate tax, VAT and other indirect taxes, stamp duty, stamp duty land tax and tax-related litigation including professional negligence. Richard is qualified to accept Public Access instructions.
February 2018 – QC
September 2016 – Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – “A” panel
March 2011 – Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – “B” panel
Called 1997, Gray’s Inn
Ardmore (Court of Appeal), Routier (Court of Appeal), Donaldson (Court of Appeal), UBS / Deutsche Bank (Supreme Court), Ingenious Games and ors (FTT), Landid (FTT), CM Utilities (UT), OCO Ltd (FTT), CIFF (UK) v AG (Ch D), Henderson Investment Funds Ltd (UT), B&K Lavery (UT), Salinger (FTT), Greene King (CA), Bowring (UT)
Secretary to the Revenue Bar Association
Chancery Bar Association
London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association
Stamp Tax Practitioners Group
1991-1995: Merton College, Oxford MA
1995-1996: City University, Diploma in Law
1996-1997: Inns of Court School of Law, Bar Finals
2002-2005: Open University. BSc (Hons)(Maths)
Tax: Corporate
Ranking: New Silk
Frequently acts for HMRC on challenges to avoidance schemes and is an expert on corporate tax and capital allowances issues. He takes instructions on the taxpayer side in cases concerning corporate tax schemes, employee benefit trusts and tax-related professional negligence. He also acts in contractual disputes.
“Intelligent, user-friendly and very thorough.” “Very courteous, very prepared and methodical.” (2019)
. . . “Calm and collected, with a good, practical, commercial take on everything.” “He is very succinct and persuasive, with sound legal analysis.” (2018)
. . . “Leading junior, who is a lateral thinker with a commercial approach. He has excellent technical understanding.” (2017)
Tax: Private Client
Ranking: New Silk
A highly regarded tax barrister, who specialises in advising on offshore trusts, domiciled issues and tax planning for ultra high net worth individuals.
“He is very strong, very thorough, intelligent and user-friendly.” (2019)
. . . “Highly competent and good at explaining complex matters in layman’s language.” “A formidable opponent. Charming outside court and very much fights his corner in court.” (2018)
An experienced advocate advising clients on IHT, CGT, offshore trust estate planning and income tax matters. His practice sees him representing HMRC in alleged tax avoidance cases. “He is highly knowledgeable. He has the advantage that he understands the corporate side of things, so is a reliable pair of hands.” “He is completely charming outside court, and formidable as opposition once you cross through the door. He is clever and high quality – a strong tax litigator.” (2017)
Tax: VAT
Ranking: 2018 Silk, Tier 1
‘Specialises in all areas of revenue law.’ (2018)
‘Very clear-thinking and known for explaining complicated tax issues in a lucid manner.’ (2017)
‘He has the ability to analyse facts clearly and quickly’ (2016)
Tax: Corporate
Ranking: 2018 Silk, Tier 1
‘He thinks around problems and suggests superb alternatives.’ (2018)
‘One of the best juniors at the tax Bar in terms of written work and court advocacy.’ (2017)
‘A bright, talented tax barrister with a vast wealth of knowledge’ (2016)
Private Client: Personal Tax
Ranking: 2018 Silk, Tier 1
‘He is clear, concise and practical.’ (2018)
‘Good at distilling complex areas of law into understandable points.’ (2017)
‘He presents clear and succinct analysis that is practical and pragmatic’ (2016)
Tax: Private Client
Ranking: Band 2
Richard Vallat QC is often instructed on tax scheme cases, including the enormous and hugely significant Ingenious Film Partners case. His practice has gone from strength to strength since taking silk in 2018. A source says Vallat’s strongest points are “a very practical approach and the ability to explain this both to other professionals and to clients.” This source adds that “he is particularly impressive in conference in listening to all the input and questions from the clients.” (2019)
Richard Vallat QC is regularly instructed on offshore trusts and income tax matters. Vallat also has expertise in domiciliary issues and regularly represents HMRC in challenging tax planning schemes. “I have always found him to be extremely good on advisory matters,” reports one commentator. Another interviewee says: “He is very strong, very thorough, intelligent and user friendly.” (2018)
