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The Legal 500 2020 Had This To Say About Us

“The Rolls-Royce of tax chambers’, Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers houses experts in all areas of direct and indirect tax, with members acting for both the taxpayer and the Revenue. Setting the chambers apart, members are regularly instructed on heavyweight advisory work including major cross-border corporate reorganisations and transfer pricing issues. In relation to UK tax, the set has experience of appearing before the UK Supreme Court and the European Court of Justice, while members have also appeared in other jurisdictions, including Hong Kong. ‘Hugely impressive’ Nicola Shaw KC (who is ‘highly respected by HMRC and the tax tribunal judges’) and David Goldberg KC (‘a key player with superb analytical skills and a very engaging advocate’) are silks to note; while in terms of juniors, Conrad McDonnell is commended for his ‘astonishing intellect’ and the ‘phenomenal speed with which he is able to deliver advice’, while ‘exceptional litigator’ Michael Firth stands out for providing ‘consistently incisive and considered opinions’.

When it comes to the arena of high-profile tax disputes, Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers is described by instructing solicitors as ‘excellent and provides a first-rate service’, whether it be in relation to direct or indirect taxation. Senior clerk Chris Broom leads ‘a responsive and efficient’ clerks’ room, consisting of deputy senior clerk Ben Stern and first junior clerk Jamie Hall.

Tax: – Leading silks
Michael Flesch KC – ‘ He commands a lot of respect.
David Goldberg KC – ‘ Remains a key player at the tax Bar.
Nicola Shaw KC – ‘ Hugely impressive, precise and persuasive in her drafting, and lots of court experience.
Laurent Sykes KC – ‘ He empathises with clients but at the same time carries the necessary degree of gravitas.

Tax: – Leading juniors
Nikhil Mehta – ‘ He is not afraid to roll up his sleeves.
Conrad McDonnell – ‘ Technically excellent; can make extremely complicated areas of law easy to understand.
Michael Jones – ‘ Noted for advisory and litigious tax work.
Michael Firth – ‘ Very intelligent, cuts through to the core of the issue with ease and provides commercial cost-effective advice.

Recent tax cases:

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v The Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
27 Jan 2024
Exclusive Promotions Ltd v Commissioners For His Majesty’s Revenue And Customs – Upper Tribunal
09 Nov 2023
Campbell v Commissioners For His Majesty’s Revenue And Customs – Upper Tribunal
05 Nov 2023
Gunfleet Sands Ltd & Ors v Commissioners For His Majesty’s Revenue And Customs – Upper Tribunal
26 Oct 2023