Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Tax: Private Client - London (Bar)
What the Team is Known For
Old Square Tax Chambers' barristers have expertise in direct and indirect tax matters, and several of its members have strong private client tax practices. Several Old Square Tax Chambers barristers have expertise in residence and domicile issues as well as offshore trusts and foreign tax compliance.
Strengths
Old Square Tax Chambers are one of the leading sets on taxation matters, in particular private client and personal tax matters. They would be one of our go-to chambers on complex matters.
For any tax problem, they have a selection of counsel who can assist.
We find the wider team and clerks to be very helpful and work together well. It's a fantastic service: always highly responsive and willing to make time available if advice is required urgently.
Notable practitioners
James Kessler is very sound, well prepared and very good with clients.
James Kessler is superb: a cerebral lawyer with amazing knowledge and it's always a pleasure to receive his advice.
When it comes to the taxation of non-domiciliaries, he is pre-eminent, and, at the same time, delivers the most technical advice in a crisp and easy-to-understand manner, which clients appreciate.
James Kessler is one of the leading practitioners of private client law and taxation, standing out for his technical knowledge and ability to deal with the most complex cases.
Rory Mullan is very thoughtful; he has the gift of being able to bring new perspectives to bear on problems, and is also highly persuasive.
Rory Mullan KC has a deep tax expertise and is an excellent communicator in court.
Rory is excellent at simplifying the issues involved in difficult cases and focusing on the key points at issue. He's very good in front of clients, especially in explaining difficult issues of law.
Harriet Brown is excellent and has a strong practice. Clients like her a lot and rate her highly.
Harriet Brown is extremely good on her feet as an advocate: she tends to cut through nonsense and takes a more pragmatic approach.
Robert is incredibly clever: his knowledge goes back years and years, and it's rare if there is an issue he doesn't have a take on, tax-wise.
Mary is incredibly clever, very focused, very clear and very on the money; clients are pleased to come back to her.
Mary gave us some really good advice, and I get on with her very well: I can pick up the phone to her and talk things through.
I give Mary Ashley the tough, knotty technical problems in regards to private client tax, and her technical ability is excellent.
Ross Birkbeck is a strong tax lawyer with good commercial awareness to know what is market and what is not.
Ross understands my client and its needs. His knowledge and service is outstanding.
Ross Birkbeck is very clever and very innovative in his arguments, which is very helpful.
Rebecca Sheldon is developing a very strong practice in tax, and has particular expertise in domicile, residence and taxation of trusts issues. Sheldon acts for taxpayers and the Revenue, and has been appointed to the Attorney General's C panel.
Rebecca Sheldon works incredibly hard and works on the areas she is advising on very well before engaging; despite this, she can engage clearly and focus in on the relevant and helpful bits.
I valued Rebecca's honest and direct views and feel that the service provided is extremely good and is cost-effective.
Rebecca is very confident and a very good advocate.