Legal Professional Privilege

A recent case in the Supreme Court has seen the issue of Legal Professional Privilege considered.

The case, R (on the application of Prudential) v Special Commissioner of Income Tax [2013] UKSC1 related to a matter in which the Prudential had refused to hand over documents to HMRC in connection with a marketed tax avoidance scheme. HMRC took exception and issued proceedings and, given the issues, the Law Society and the Bar Council intervened in proceedings.

The outcome was not unanimous but it did make very clear that the principle of legal professional privilege applied only to advice given by qualified lawyers and accountants providing tax advice could not claim such privilege.

Will we see more accountants considering ABSs in an attempt to qualify for such privilege and will it work?

Local firm walks to support

Staff of local law firm, Whatley Weston & Fox, joined over 4000 people on the 7^th July to raise money for local charities at the Free Radio Walk for Kids.

The firm raised around £260 for the charity.

Louise Chipchase, head of Family Law at the firm (pictured left with Karen Roberts and Lisa Mitton) said: “walking the 10.5 miles this year was a challenge made more difficult by the heat but the atmosphere on the day was amazing and we’re proud to have been a part of raising the massive £124,070 for such great charities – we’ll be there next year!”