Department profile
Monckton Chambers

Tax: Indirect Tax

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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Monckton Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

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Tax: Indirect Tax - London (Bar)

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Monckton Chambers is a first-rate set known for its extensive work across the full gamut of indirect taxation disputes. Chambers frequently acts for the Revenue and for taxpayers in cases relating to VAT, anti-dumping charges, input and exit taxes and landfill taxes, among others. Members regularly appear at all levels of the court and tribunal system, and routinely handle cases before the Supreme Court and the ECJ. The set has been instructed in a number of notable matters of late, and recently acted for Align in a challenge to HMRC’s decision that Invisalign dental aligners are subject to VAT. Other cases of note include JPMorgan Chase Bank v RCC, where members of chambers represented HMRC in JPMorgan's appeal against VAT assessments in respect of intra-group supplies. Interviewees say that the set is "always available, always makes time for urgent work and is always happy to accommodate clients' needs".

David Hockney and John Keegan are the joint senior clerks.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks at Monckton Chambers are pragmatic and approachable.

    Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks were certainly efficient. They came back to us quickly and were good in terms of letting us know when counsel would be available.

    Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

  • Deputy senior clerk Steven Duffett has been a good liaison point. He's been really good and responsive in his communications with me.

    Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Melanie Hall
    Melanie Hall

    Melanie Hall

    Melanie Hall KC is a leader in the field of indirect tax who is well known for her expertise in VAT matters in particular. She regularly takes substantial and high-value instructions both from HMRC and from taxpayers. Melanie Hall KC has a wealth of experience handling matters involving landfill tax and the property sector, and has an established practice advising banks.

    • Melanie Hall KC doesn't sit on the fence. She gives a view that is super clear.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • Melanie did a stellar analysis which was very comprehensive and very helpful to us. She did a very thorough and thoughtful job.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • Melanie Hall KC is responsive and engaging.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • Melanie is very quick to grasp complex matters and advances arguments with clarity and force. She is a great team player and very good to work with.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • Melanie is extremely clever and gives really insightful and strategic, as well as technical, input.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
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  • Valentina Sloane
    Valentina Sloane

    Valentina Sloane

    Valentina Sloane KC is a highly regarded silk for indirect tax matters, who specialises in representing taxpayers in high-profile VAT cases. She regularly appears before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the ECJ, and is particularly noted for her expertise in customs duty cases.

    • Valentina is brilliant and sharp-witted. She gets to the crux of the issues very quickly.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • Valentina Sloane KC is exceptional.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • Valentina Sloane KC is a top silk and a highly persuasive advocate.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
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  • Andrew Macnab
    Andrew Macnab

    Andrew Macnab

    Andrew Macnab has a broad indirect tax expertise spanning input tax and zero rating, among other matters. He continues to act regularly for HMRC, handling complex and high-profile test cases particularly in the field of VAT. Macnab has experience acting at all levels of the domestic court system and the ECJ.

    • Andrew Macnab is very good. He is a top junior who is very good with clients and a fine draftsman.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • A fine barrister whose advice is clear, concise and commercially focused.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
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  • Peter Mantle
    Peter Mantle

    Peter Mantle

    Peter Mantle is highly regarded for his vast expertise in all areas of indirect tax. He is most frequently retained by HMRC to assist with complex litigation and advisory matters. He also has broad experience of acting for private clients across an array of sectors, including the financial services, education and retail industries. Mantle is well versed in indirect tax disputes involving EU law.

    • It is a pleasure for us to use Peter as a trusted adviser. We can rely on him to produce very strong, strategic advice.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • Peter was very impressive. He considered all the material in depth and was clearly on top of all the legal aspects that needed to be considered. He gave clear, commercial advice.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
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  • Raymond Hill
    Raymond Hill

    Raymond Hill

    Raymond Hill is an indirect tax specialist who is singled out for his vast experience representing clients before the ECJ. He is particularly well known for his command of complex VAT matters. He has acted in several leading ECJ cases regarding the exemption for special investment funds.

    • Raymond Hill is incredibly charming and knowledgeable. It's always a real pleasure dealing with him.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • Raymond has the ability to assimilate the relevant information very quickly and is tactically skilful.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
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  • Brendan McGurk
    Brendan McGurk

    Brendan McGurk

    Brendan McGurk KC has an established practice acting for HMRC in notable indirect tax cases. His broad expertise covers VAT, landfill tax, and customs and excise duties.

    • Brendan knew his stuff really well, and his judgement was spot on; he knew precisely what to say to the judges.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • Brendan McGurk KC is very easy to work with and very good at cross- examination.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
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  • George Peretz
    George Peretz

    George Peretz

    George Peretz KC is often trusted by HMRC with the most complex and challenging of VAT cases. He has a wealth of experience of appearing before the Supreme Court and the ECJ. He is noted for his knowledge of state aid, gaming duty and anti-dumping duty.

    • George Peretz KC is excellent. He is very responsive, he knows the law backwards and he provides robust and practical advice.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • George is very responsive, quick and bright. He answered our questions there and then.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
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  • Philip Moser
    Philip Moser

    Philip Moser

    Philip Moser KC is highly respected for his expertise in EU-related tax matters in the areas of both VAT and customs, and he regularly appears before the ECJ. He is trusted with sophisticated and substantial instructions from HMRC and corporations, and also has longstanding experience handling MTIC fraud cases. Moser has appeared in a number of high-profile test cases.

    • Philip Moser KC is a very polished performer. He is hugely in command of the details, he picks up the points that matter and he is an impressive advocate.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

    • Philip is a very serious, capable, articulate and persuasive advocate. His judgement and strategic analysis are both notable strengths of his.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Monckton Chambers (8)

London (Bar)

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