William Massey’s practice covers all areas of personal and corporate taxation, tax appeals and other tax related litigation. He is best known for his expertise in private client tax, particularly in estate tax planning, heritage property, conditional exemption, business and agricultural property reliefs, and trust tax planning (including variations of trust under the Variation of Trusts Act).
Called 1977, Middle Temple, elected a Bencher (2004)
QC 1996
Governor, Harrow School (2000-2013) Summer Fields School (1996-2013)
Member, Tax Committee, Historic Houses Association
Professional Footballer’s Association (Enterprises) Ltd v C&E (House of Lords – VAT, supply of trophy to winners at PFA awards dinner not chargeable to VAT); Caton’s Administrators v Couch (Court of Appeal – CGT, share valuation principles); Westmorland Motorway Services Ltd v C&E (Court of Appeal – VAT free meals to coach-drivers at service stations); Fallon v Fellows (High Court – CGT, ‘press release’ reconstruction not a true reconstruction so no reduction in base cost); Lloyds TSB (prs of Antrobus deceased) v IRC (Special Commissioners – IHT, Agricultural Property Relief on ‘farmhouse of a character appropriate’); Application to vary the undertaking of A and B (Special Commissioners – IHT, proposed alteration to conditional exemption undertakings ); Marquess of Hertford and others v IRC (Special Commissioners – IHT, Business Property Relief on whole value of historic house most of which was open to the public); McCall v HMRC (Northern Ireland Court of Appeal – IHT, whether Business Property Relief available on grazed farmland); Trustees of the Nelson Dance Family Settlement (High Court – IHT, Business Property Relief available on transfer of business asset); AC v DC & Ors (Financial Remedy: Effect of s. 37 Avoidance Order) (High Court – CGT, s.37 order avoids transaction ab initio for CGT); V v T/A (High Court – variation of trust under VTA 1958 – measures appropriate to balance right to public hearing with right to privacy); Executors of Lord Howard of Henderskelfe v HMRC (Court of Appeal – CGT, sale of Reynolds ‘Portrait of Omai’ at Castle Howard eligible for CGT exemption as ‘plant’)
Editorial Board – Simon’s Direct Tax Service
Revenue Bar Association
Chancery Bar Association
London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association
Harrow School
Hertford College, Oxford (MA (Jurisprudence))
Tax: Private Client
Ranking: Star Individual
Exceptionally well-known and highly respected silk with a commanding reputation at the Tax Bar. He is sought after for the most complex and high-value work, including planning, trusts and estate matters. “Very measured and very good with clients.” “He’s utterly reliable, superb with clients and commercial as well as technically excellent.” “William Massey really knows his stuff.” (2020)
He is just brilliant at relating to families and he can get to the nub of the matter really quickly; he is excellent and has been a great resource.” “He has real gravitas, he’s very strong on Inheritance Tax, he’s very thoughtful and has a very rounded view.” (2019)
. . . “William is definitely frontline for IHT. When I’ve got William’s advice I will always take my time to read it carefully. He’s also very flexible, I can ring him whenever I need to and he’s always got time for the job because he’s innately interested in what he’s doing, and it shows.” “I always use him for complex matters. He is extremely thorough and learned but puts things into easily understandable language.” (2018)
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Ranking: Band 1
Recognised as the leading expert on the tax aspects specific to landed estates and agricultural land. He is particularly well known for his work on matters concerning heritage property and the succession of farms and estates. Peers further acknowledge his in-depth knowledge of business assets requiring agricultural relief. “He’s a go-to person for advice on agricultural reliefs.” (2020)
“Famously ‘the best in town’ when it comes to tax and landed estates.” “If you really want a good and reliable answer, he’s just excellent. He has fantastic written work: if you say ‘I’m going to consult William Massey,’ everyone sort of goes into hushed tones. He’s the gold standard, really.” (2019)
. . . “Incisive, thorough and a real expert, he has been the go-to person for at least ten years on all matters of agricultural relief and heritage property. He’s extremely good.” (2018)
Private Client: Personal Tax
Ranking: Leading Silk, Tier 1
‘Is a superb UK inheritance tax silk.’ (2021)
‘Is the top UK inheritance tax barrister; you dread the day that he retires.’ (2020)
‘Has a great ability to communicate complicated issues clearly and succinctly.’ (2019)
Tax: Private Client
Ranking: Star Individuals
William Massey QC is described by one source as “someone everyone looks up to – a real doyen of the private client world.” The source continues: “He is an incredibly safe pair of hands, very reassuring; and in his core area, which is landed estates work, he is the most knowledgeable person around.” Several interviewees praise Massey for his expertise on Inheritance Tax matters, especially regarding landed estates. One interviewee states: “There is literally no one at the Bar or a law firm with his knowledge of taxation of landed estates.” Another interviewee comments: “His strengths are his expertise on IHT, which is second to none, his ability to make complex issues understandable, his approachability and sense of humour.” (2020)
William Massey QC is hugely well respected for Inheritance Tax matters, particularly concerning landed estates and heritage property. Fellow counsel says Massey is “very smooth and persuasive – it is a pleasure to listen to him. He’s very effective.” Another barrister describes him as being “well established as a high-calibre performer – top of the range.” (2019)
