The subject of UK Tax Barristers is complicated. Here, we try to simplify it.
It is absolutely essential that people understand what tax is, what it can do, what options are
available, how a tax charge is created, how it works, and in turn is accounted for, how it is
enforced, and what recourse is open to anyone who thinks the tax system has treated them
inappropriately or unjustly. Barristers (who are also referred to as “counsel”) are independent
specialists in court work and legal advice. There are specialist barristers in tax, super and
associated areas of law. Experienced barristers understand that investigations, whether internal
or external, can be incredibly taxing on business resources and time. Some tax barristers are
authorised by the Bar Standards Board to do Public Access Work and litigation, which means
that they can work directly with clients to deal with their tax affairs, and manage HMRC tax
investigations on their behalf. The work of a pensions barrister includes distress and
restructuring situations, changes to benefit structures, risk management - including buy-ins and
longevity insurance - and mergers. Some tax barristers have significant experience advising on
the tax efficient purchase, development, holding and disposal of UK real estate and act for
institutional investors, student accommodation providers, private equity funds, REITs and other
investment funds on developments, sales and acquisitions of real estate and establishing fund
structures.
Being a tax barrister is an intellectually rigorous, rather cloistered area of law and is ideally
suited to the more academic practitioner. Clients with business interests and personal wealth in
the US and the UK are required to navigate two complex and very different tax systems.