Department profile
Pump Court Tax Chambers

Tax: Indirect Tax

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Pump Court Tax Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Tax: Indirect Tax - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Pump Court Tax Chambers is a specialist tax set known for its deep bench and extensive coverage of the indirect tax sector. It has a wealth of members able to advise a range of high-profile clients and government agencies on highly complex matters relating to VAT, landfill tax, customs and excise duties, stamp taxes, input and exit charges, and judicial reviews relating to EU VAT law. Members frequently appear in both domestic and European courts in high-stakes and precedent-setting cases. Barristers at the set are consistently instructed in important cases, such as representing Hippodrome Casino in a case against HMRC, concerning the method of recovery of VAT by the casino of its overhead costs. Also of note is the Supreme Court case of The Prudential Assurance Company Ltd v HMRC, which addresses questions about how the single taxable basis for the VAT grouping regime operates. Interviewees say that members of Pump Court "can be relied upon to continually present the strongest case and put forward non-mainstream, workable arguments".

Mark Rushton is the director of clerking, while Bruno Antoniotti is the deputy senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are very good and always come straight back to you. We're very much guided by the clerks as to who would be suitable to instruct.

    Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking at Pump Court Tax Chambers is a well-oiled machine. The clerks are easy to deal with and always available to talk. They give good recommendations.

    Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • A special mention to the clerks, who are always first class.

    Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking is really efficient. They have a good sense of what the different barristers are good at.

    Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • Mark Rushton, Bruno Antoniotti and senior practice manager John Poyser are helpful at sorting out diaries. They're flexible in their approach and very friendly.

    Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsAndrew Hitchmough
    Star IndividualsAndrew Hitchmough

    Andrew Hitchmough

    Andrew Hitchmough KC is an indirect tax specialist who attracts attention for his vast expertise in the area. He has represented the taxpayer and HMRC in some of the most high-profile VAT cases of recent years. Hitchmough also has knowledge of the laws surrounding other indirect taxes such as gaming duty, and is noted for excelling in cases that involve banking and accounting law.

    • Judges clearly respect Andrew. He has a lot of litigation experience and is very good at giving clear, measured advice.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew Hitchmough KC is very quick at thinking on his feet. During the course of the trial, he was able to work in new angles in real time as the case developed.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsKevin Prosser KC
    Star IndividualsKevin Prosser KC

    Kevin Prosser KC

    Head of chambers Kevin Prosser KC advises high-profile individuals and companies on complex direct and indirect tax issues stemming from corporate transactions. He is praised for his breadth of knowledge across VAT, input tax and zero rating, among other areas. Prosser often conducts appellate advocacy in the highest UK and EU courts, and is noted for the highly effective advice he dispenses to corporations.

    • Kevin Prosser KC is at the top of his game and a man who is unafraid to give firm advice.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Barbara Belgrano
    Band 1Barbara Belgrano

    Barbara Belgrano

    Barbara Belgrano regularly acts on a wide range of mandates regarding indirect tax matters. She appears in cases right from the First-tier Tribunal all the way up to the ECJ. Belgrano has recently appeared on a range of gaming duty, VAT and SDLT cases.

    • Barbara is a really good, technical person. She writes very well and is incredibly thorough.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • Barbara Belgrano prepares beautifully and really gets into the minutiae of the case. She really does have a fine forensic mind.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Jeremy White
    Band 1Jeremy White

    Jeremy White

    Jeremy White is a specialist in customs duties and excise cases who is particularly experienced in the classification of goods. He has vast knowledge of trade barriers and has appeared in cases involving numerous international customs authorities. He regularly acts for well-known multinational clients.

    • Jeremy White has a really thorough grasp of what is a real maze of complex legislation. He's really a thoroughly pleasant guy to work with.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • He takes a very measured approach and is very effective. If you look at his success rate, you'll see he's a winner. Even when we've fully prepared our case, he has the ability to see another point.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Zizhen Yang
    Band 1Zizhen Yang

    Zizhen Yang

    Zizhen Yang is a junior with experience across indirect tax, who has particular strength in VAT and landfill tax cases. She frequently represents the taxpayer in a variety of high-profile cases.

    • There were difficult, technical and important consequences in the case and Zizhen was clear and not afraid to impart bad news. She was calm and explained complex concepts well.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • Zizhen Yang is eloquent and intelligent.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • Zizhen Yang is very strong technically.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2David Yates
    Band 2David Yates

    David Yates

    David Yates KC acts for both the taxpayer and HMRC on a broad range of indirect tax mandates, including those relating to stamp duty and landfill tax. He is further adept at handling matters involving VAT and customs and excise duties.

    • David Yates KC is simply excellent.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • David was able to cut through a complicated factual matrix so that his subsequent advice was clear and targeted on the key areas.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2James Henderson
    Band 2James Henderson

    James Henderson

    James Henderson offers impressive indirect tax expertise within his overall broad tax practice. Although experienced in all areas of indirect tax, he is particularly well versed in complex VAT matters. Henderson has experience acting for clients at all levels domestically, including the Supreme Court, and has also appeared before the CJEU.

    • No stone is left unturned by James. He pre-empts the questions that the opposition and the judge will ask, and is great with witnesses.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • James Henderson is very diligent, offers a quick turnaround and gives realistic, commercially aware answers.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Rupert Baldry
    Band 2Rupert Baldry

    Rupert Baldry

    Rupert Baldry KC has a broad range of expertise in indirect tax matters, including those relating to VAT, stamp duty, customs and excise duties, and the aggregates levy. He undertakes advisory and litigation work both for the Revenue and for the taxpayer.

    • We like Rupert Baldry KC as he provides really clear advice on specific tax questions.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • We really appreciated Rupert's tactical input in dealing with a complex and sensitive case.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3James Rivett
    Band 3James Rivett

    James Rivett

    James Rivett KC has a strong indirect tax practice, with particular expertise in VAT, and often appears before the Upper Tribunal. He acts for the taxpayer in leading cases and is regularly called upon to advise on extremely complex matters.

    • James Rivett KC is very, very good. He's a bright and lively performer who is particularly good at drafting.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • James is very collaborative. He's a pleasure to work with and a really effective litigator.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Michael Thomas
    Band 3Michael Thomas

    Michael Thomas

    Michael Thomas KC has a broad tax practice that takes in business tax, VAT and private client work. Specialising in representing the taxpayer, he is noted for his particular expertise in property tax.

    • Michael offers all-round impressive analysis of complex situations. He does so in a manner which is down to earth and understandable for clients.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • Michael Thomas KC is an excellent and pragmatic counsel.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Sadiya Choudhury
    Band 3Sadiya Choudhury

    Sadiya Choudhury

    Sadiya Choudhury KC has a broad practice representing clients in complex indirect tax cases, often concerning VAT, customs and excise duties among others. She both acts for corporate clients and appears on behalf of the Revenue.

    • Sadiya's knowledge of the case law, principles and rules (and therefore the prospects of the matter in hand) is excellent.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • Sensible, pragmatic and user-friendly, she puts clients at ease and understands their pressure points and how they want their cases to be presented.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksLaura Poots
    New SilksLaura Poots

    Laura Poots

    Laura Poots KC is a silk with wide experience of advising the taxpayer and the Revenue in indirect tax cases. She is particularly noted for her expertise in VAT and has handled a number of cases involving the exemption for special investment funds.

    • Laura provides very clear, pragmatic, focused advice. She has a very good turnaround time, too.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar
    • Laura is always happy to roll up her sleeves and work hard to find a solution.

      Tax: Indirect Tax respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Pump Court Tax Chambers (12)

London (Bar)

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