[ezcol_3quarter]Imran read Law at Oxford as an undergraduate and postgraduate, coming top of the university on both occasions. He studied tax as part of both his BA and BCL degrees, winning prizes in all the tax exams he sat. He was called to the Bar in 2008. In 2014 he founded Field Court Tax Chambers with three colleagues, having previously practised in another set of tax chambers.
Since commencing practice Imran has been involved in a range of domestic and international matters, acting for companies, private-clients and tax authorities. In addition to advisory work he is regularly involved in litigation. Indeed he first made oral submissions, shortly after commencing practice, before the Privy Council in Mauritius. In 2012 he was appointed to the Attorney-General’s C Panel, in 2017 to the B Panel, and in 2022 to the A Panel.
Imran is often instructed in high-profile and high-value matters. By way of example, he has: (1) advised in relation to a multi-billion dollar settlement; (2) assisted a foreign company in a matter involving over £1 billion; (3) acted for an oil company in a foreign dispute; (4) appeared for HMRC in the “Littlewoods” compound interest litigation; and (5) been instructed by HMRC in relation to various partnership loss appeals (e.g. the “Icebreaker” litigation).
From 2007-13 he taught tax part-time at the LSE, and from 2013-15 he was one of the tutors on the MA in Taxation at the IALS. Outside of work his interests include travelling, politics, reading, and cars. He is a Trustee at the Royal Grammar School (High Wycombe).
A selection of Imran’s cases can be found HERE
RECOMMENDATIONS
Chambers & Partners High Net Worth, Tax: Private Client (2019)
- Imran Afzal often handles avoidance scheme cases, and many of his cases involve international tax questions. An instructing solicitor says he is an “exceptionally bright junior, very hard-working, and can be trusted to really get involved in the detail. I’m sure he will have a very glittering career as a junior. He seems to be involved in a lot of interesting ongoing cases – some for the tax man but most for the taxpayer.”
- Ranked: Band 2
Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Tax (2019)
- Has an established reputation for his handling of a range of domestic and international tax matters including those relating to double tax treaties and transfer pricing. He represents a wide array of clients including tax authorities, companies and private clients, and acts in both contentious and non-contentious cases.
- Strengths: “An exceptionally bright junior who is very hard-working and can be trusted to really get involved in the detail of a case.”
- Recent work: Acted for the Revenue in Ingenious Games LLP and Others v HMRC, which related to a large film finance scheme.
- Ranked: Band 2
Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Tax: Private Client (2019)
- In demand from both HMRC and taxpayers for the most high-profile and complex matters, Afzal is a particularly fine choice of counsel for tax scheme litigation and questions of residence and domicile. He is well known among private client tax specialists for his work on the ‘Icebreaker’ partnership scheme litigation, where he acted on behalf of the Revenue.
- Strengths: “Extremely helpful and professional, he is patient and takes time to make sure that you understand the process and the arguments. His work is very detailed, well researched and extremely thorough.” “An exceptionally bright junior who is very hard-working and can be trusted to really get involved in the detail.”
- Recent work: Acted for the taxpayer in Arron Banks v HMRC, a case concerning whether the absence of tax relief for donations to UKIP was a breach of human rights and/or a breach of European law.
- Ranked: Band 2
Chambers & Partners Global, Private Wealth: Tax-UK (2019)
- Best known among private client tax specialists for his work on the ‘Icebreaker’ partnership scheme litigation, where he acted on behalf of the Revenue. He also has a strong taxpayer-side practice on residence and domicile matters, and on tax scheme litigation.
- Strengths: “He’s excellent to work with.” “He is undoubtedly very clever.”
- Recent work: Represented a taxpayer against HMRC in a case concerning whether or not particular documents constitute accounts and whether or not an accounting date was changed successfully for tax purposes.
- Ranked: Band 3
Legal 500, Tax: corporate (2019)
- “His intelligence and knowledge of UK tax matters is demonstrated on each engagement.”
- Ranked: Band 2
Legal 500, Private Client: Personal Tax (2019)
- “A clever junior of note.”
- Ranked: Band 3
Chambers & Partners, Tax: Private Client (2018)
- Best known among private client tax specialists for his work on the ‘Icebreaker’ partnership scheme litigation, where he acted on behalf of the Revenue. He also has a strong taxpayer-side practice on residence and domicile matters, and on tax scheme litigation.
- Strengths: “A very, very clever man, with a razor-sharp brain. He puts the rest of us to shame; he is destined for great things. He is also extremely clear in his analysis.”
- Ranked: Band 3
Chambers & Partners, Tax (2018)
- Has a growing reputation for his handling of a range of domestic and international tax issues. He represents a wide array of clients including tax authorities, companies and private clients. He acts in litigation proceedings and also has a robust advisory practice.
- Strengths: “He gives good, clever advice and is very detailed and thorough.” “Really clever and very assiduous.”
- Ranked: Band 3
Legal 500, Tax: corporate (2017)
- “Very proactive and commercial in his approach, and also a pleasure to work with.”
- Ranked: Band 2
Legal 500, Private Client: Personal Tax (2017)
- “Hugely knowledgeable on UK taxation and outstanding in his written work.”
- Ranked: Band 3
Chambers & Partners High Net Worth, Tax: Private Client (2017)
- Imran Afzal is best known among private client tax specialists for his work on the ‘Icebreaker’ partnership scheme litigation, where he acted on behalf of the Revenue. He also has a strong taxpayer-side practice on residence and domicile matters, and on tax scheme litigation. Afzal is a “very, very clever man, with a razor-sharp brain. He puts the rest of us to shame, he is destined for great things,” enthuses a source, adding: “He is also extremely clear in his analysis.”
- Ranked: Band 3
Chambers & Partners, Tax: Private Client (2017)
- Possesses knowledge on international and domestic tax matters. He represents high-profile clients on litigious matters, and has appeared before domestic and foreign courts.
- Strengths: “He is a very bright man. He is wise beyond his years in terms of knowledge of the law, judgement and how to take particular matters forward.” “He is a very talented lawyer and very clever.”
- Recent work: Represented HMRC in the Icebreaker case and on whether partnership members could claim tax relief as a result of partnership losses.
- Ranked: Band 3
Chambers & Partners, Tax (2017)
- Has a growing reputation for his handling of a range of domestic and international tax issues. He represents a wide array of clients in litigation and also has a robust advisory practice.
- Strengths: “Incredibly thorough and really on the ball.”
- Recent work: Led in a case concerning whether or not individual members of a partnership could claim tax relief in respect of disputed losses.
- Ranked: Up-and-coming
Legal 500, Tax: corporate and VAT (2016)
- Imran Afzal is instructed by HMRC to appear in the upcoming Supreme Court hearing of the Littlewoods VAT case.
- “His work includes partnership and international cases.”
- Ranked: Band 2
Legal 500, Private Client: Personal Tax (2016)
- Imran Afzal successfully represented HMRC in Acornwood LLP and others v HMRC, in which the First Tier Tribunal found against the “Icebreaker” tax avoidance scheme.
- “He represents taxpayers and the Revenue in a range of matters.”
- Ranked: Band 3
Chambers & Partners, Tax: Private Client (2016)
- Maintains a well-regarded private client practice advising both domestic and international clients. His capabilities stretch broadly across the practice area and he regularly acts in high-value and high-profile cases.
- “He is very sharp, and able to consume and digest a lot of material quickly and accurately.”
- “He’s very clear in his written expression and a pleasure to work with.”
- Ranked: Band 3
Chambers & Partners, Tax: Private Client (2015)
- A genuine tax all-rounder, with experience of acting for clients across the Tax Bar. He is comfortable handling both advisory and dispute resolution work in both the domestic and international contexts.
- Expertise: “He grasps the nettle thoroughly and is able to cut through the law.”
- Ranked: Band 3
Chambers & Partners, Tax: Private Client (2014)
- Focuses on private client representation as part of a broad corporate and personal tax practice. He handles both advisory work and dispute resolution.
- Ranked as “Up and Coming”
Chambers & Partners, Tax: Private Client (2013)
- Imran Afzal is listed as an up-and-comer this year, after impressing in a series of high-profile cases: “He is extremely impressive, and a very clever man. He deals with things swiftly and to a high level. Afzal is wise beyond his years.”
- Ranked as “Up and Coming”
Legal 500, Tax: corporate and VAT (2012)
- “One of the best young juniors at the tax Bar”
EDUCATION
BPP LAW SCHOOL, LONDON (2007-08)
Bar Vocational Course: Outstanding
- Awarded Mansfield Scholarship, Hardwicke Scholarship, Buchanan Prize and Megarry Scholarship (for pupillage) by Lincoln’s Inn
MERTON COLLEGE, OXFORD UNIVERSITY (2003-07)
BCL (2006-07): Distinction (Class Rank: 1st in the university)
- Awarded a scholarship by the Arts & Humanities Research Council
- Highest marks in all four papers (all first class)
- Vinerian Scholarship for best performance in the university
- Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers Prize for best performance in Personal Taxation
- KPMG Prize for best performance in Corporate & Business Taxation
- Allen & Overy Prize for best performance in Corporate Insolvency Law
- Book Prize from Merton College
MA Jurisprudence (2003-06): First (Class Rank: 1st in the university)
- Only student with first class marks in all nine Finals papers
- Martin Wronker Prize for best performance in Finals in the university
- Top Gibbs Prize for best overall performance in Contract, Tort, Trusts and Land Law in Finals
- 3 Verulam Buildings Prize for best performance in Commercial Law in Finals
- McGrigors Prize for best performance in Taxation Law in Finals
- Norton Rose Prize for best performance in College in Law Mods
- Various College Prizes
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
Further information
Imran usually charges for work on a fixed fee or hourly rate basis. Occasionally Imran may charge on the basis of a daily rate (that will typically be the case if Imran is required to go abroad). Professional and licensed access clients may contact either Imran directly (ia@fieldtax.com), or one of the Practice Managers (chambers@fieldtax.com), to obtain a quotation for legal services. Additional contact details can be found on the “Contact Us” page.
If requested, Imran is happy to provide you with an indication of how long a particular piece of work is likely to take. If you have a particular deadline Imran can let you know in advance whether that is feasible. He will always endeavour to meet a client’s timescale, but his ability to do so will depend on the amount of work involved and his pre-existing commitments (in particular if he is involved in tribunal/court proceedings).
Imran wants to give you the best possible service. However, if at any point you become unhappy or concerned about the service provided to you, then you should inform us as soon as possible. Details of our complaints procedure, together with details about making complaints to the Legal Ombudsman, can be found here.
Imran is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). The Barrister’s Register on the BSB’s website can be found here.
VAT number: 976 1603 02
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“One of the best young juniors at the Tax Bar”
“He is very sharp, and able to consume and digest a lot of material quickly and accurately.”
“Focuses on private client representation as part of a broad corporate and personal tax practice. He handles both advisory work and dispute resolution.”
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