PROFILE

Graham Aaronson KC is a founding partner of Joseph Hage Aaronson LLP and chairs the firm’s tax disputes team.

During his time as a member of Pump Court Tax Chambers he established a reputation as one of the leading tax advisers and advocates of his generation. He has advised or represented most of the major corporations conducting business in the UK, appearing in many landmark cases such as BMBF v Mawson. He initiated the EU law challenges to the UK corporation tax regime in the ground-breaking Hoechst case, and since then he has been the lead counsel in most of the EU law based group litigation actions dealing with corporation tax.

Since founding JHA, he has focused on helping clients resolve their tax disputes with HMRC or other tax authorities. Where necessary this will include careful preparation and conduct of litigation, but wherever possible his preference is to seek to persuade the tax authorities to accept the client’s position, or to agree a negotiated settlement that achieves the best possible outcome for the client.

He specialises in commercial/corporate taxation, with particular sub-specialities in transfer pricing, oil and gas taxation, structured finance, State Aid and EU Law. He also has particular experience and expertise in dealing with football-related tax disputes, representing several very high profile players and agents.

NOTABLE ACTIVITIES

2016: Asked by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, to examine the allegations of tax avoidance made against him and his family, arising out of the “Panama Papers” revelations. The Prime Minister quoted from his analysis in his personal statement to the House of Commons on 11th April 2016.

2012-13: Appointed by HMRC as chairman of the Interim Advisory Panel for the GAAR, responsible for and co-writing the legally binding Guidelines for the operation of the GAAR.

2010-11: Appointed by the Coalition Government as Leader of the ‘GAAR’ (General Anti-Avoidance Rule) study. His report, recommending and drafting a proposed General Anti-Abuse Rule, was accepted by the Government, and a GAAR based on his report and draft legislation was enacted in FA 2013.

2001-05: Part-time Special Commissioner (equivalent today to a judge of the First Tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal).

1995-98: Chairman of the Revenue Bar Association.

1994-97: Appointed first chairman of the Tax Law Review Committee (set up by the IFS, and under the presidency of the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Howe). Initiated its study of the UK’s tax legislation, and co-wrote its report recommending a complete re-write of the direct tax statutes (which was accepted by the Government and enacted over the following years).

1987-90: Appointed principal tax policy advisor to the Director of State Revenues, Treasury, Israel.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Appointed Queen’s Counsel, 1982

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation

EDUCATION

Cambridge University - MA (Trinity Hall, Law Scholar)

RECOMMENDATIONS

He has been consistently recognised by the leading legal directories “Legal 500” and “Chambers & Partners” as a leading individual in the top tier/band. Since founding JHA the firm itself has also been ranked in the top tier/band in both directories. He has been described in the directories as “the leading Silk of his generation”, “known for his excellent advocacy skills”, and as “superb – a stand out individual”.

AWARDS