Tax

We have considerable expertise in advising clients on private client tax matters, most notably inheritance tax and capital gains tax. This includes estate planning for individuals, as well as the taxation of trusts and estates.

Our barristers also advise and represent clients in tax disputes with HMRC. We also have barristers who act for HMRC in leading tax cases as members of the Attorney General’s Panel.

The Legal 500 ranks Susannah Meadway and James Kirby as leading juniors for Private Client: Personal Tax.

Contact Us

For more information or to instruct our barristers, please contact our clerks.

Experience

Our barristers’ expertise includes:

  • IHT and CGT planning for individuals and trustees
  • Advising trustees and executors on the tax-efficient administration of trusts and estates and on liaising with HMRC
  • Post-death arrangements to mitigate IHT and CGT (including deeds of variation and appointment)
  • Tax-efficient will drafting
  • Reservation of benefit issues
  • Advising on Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief
  • Advising on charity tax reliefs
  • Advising on Residence Nil-Rate Band issues
  • Mitigating the consequences of tax-related mistakes (including rescission and rectification claims)
  • Advising on specific trust arrangements such as disabled persons’ trusts and variations of trusts

We primarily advise on IHT and CGT issues, but we are also able to provide advice on other taxes, notably income tax (including Pre-Owned Assets Tax) and SDLT, in particular where they relate to our other core areas of practice, such as trusts and estates.

Our barristers are among the editors of Mellows: Taxation for Executors and Trustees (online) and also edit Williams on Wills (11th edition, 2021).

Significant Cases

Key tax cases in which our barristers have been involved include:

  • The Boston Consulting Group UK LLP v HMRC [2026] UKUT 25 (TCC), [2026] STC 105 (mixed member rules for LLP taxation)
  • HMRC v BlueCrest Capital Management (UK) LLP [2025] EWCA Civ 23, [2025] 1 WLR 1925 (Salaried Members rules in LLP taxation)
  • HFFX LLP v HMRC [2024] EWCA Civ 813, [2024] STC 1371 (the scope of the miscellaneous income tax charge)
  • Barclays Bank plc v HMRC[2024] UKFTT 246 (TC) (corporation tax treatment of debt instruments)
  • BCM Cayman LP v HMRC [2023] EWCA Civ 1179, [2024] 1 WLR 1980 (taxation of fiduciaries in a partnership context)
  • Linington’s Executors v HMRC [2023] UKFTT 89 (TC), [2023] WTLR 917 (taxation of reversionary interests)
  • Hood v HMRC [2018] EWCA Civ 2405, [2018] STC 2355 (reservation of benefit)
  • Buzzoni v HMRC [2013] EWCA Civ 1684, [2014] 1 WLR 3040 (reservation of benefit)
  • Barclays Bank Trust Co Ltd v HMRC [2011] EWCA Civ 810, [2011] WTLR 1489 (disabled persons’ trusts)

"A premier set for handling trusts, probate and estates matters."

"Susannah is a go-to for complex trusts advice and variation work. Her advice is prompt and you feel confident that she will find a solution."

"Robert is great to deal with as he's so friendly and approachable. He has good ideas and displays flexibility of thought. As a result, he always inspires confidence in his advice."

"James is incredibly good with clients, and gives very clear and straightforward advice. He is incredibly easy to work with."

"Members are regularly instructed in statutory will and gift applications, drawing on the set's recognised strength in private client and tax law."

Tax Barristers

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