comes from a family of eminent marine artists and accountants. His path to the Tax Bar was by way of a degree in history and the accountancy profession (FCA, ATII). He has been a member of these Chambers since he started to practise at the Bar, in 1978. He took Silk in 1997.

His practice covers the whole range of tax with a special emphasis on commercial problems, including VAT: he is joint author with David Goy QC of VAT and Property, published by Sweet & Maxwell. He lectures extensively on tax-related topics and enjoys helping Clients resolve their difficulties with the Inland Revenue, or Customs, whether or not this involves litigation.

Since taking Silk, he has been involved in tax-related professional negligence work both as advocate and as expert witness and has appeared in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. He has recently (early 2002) been appointed to be a Deputy Special Commissioner and Part-Time Chairman of VAT & Duties Tribunal.

He has developed a specialisation in judicial review work, both in and out of court, in the area of monitoring the exercise of revenue powers of investigation, including searches.

He was born in the North East and counts himself a Geordie. He is married with a stepson and two daughters. The family lives in London during the week and likes to spend most weekends in Suffolk. He is interested in language and languages (although no linguist). He has found this helpful with the European Law aspects of his VAT practice. His outside interests include researching his family history. He is in the course of becoming a Methodist local preacher. This takes up a good deal of his spare time but he still finds that there is some left for gardening and (with luck) art.