“Incredibly thorough and analytical, but also super client-friendly. He has a great talent for thinking ahead and spotting problems before they crop up.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Simon is very responsive and turns high quality drafted representations around very quickly. He knows the law extremely well and also knows the regulators and those who work within them very well. Go to junior this area.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Simon is an incredibly effective advocate who is meticulous in his preparation for hearings. Perhaps even more impressive is his bedside manner with clients, with Simon having the ability to reassure the most nervous witness and being able to build rappor”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Simon advisory work is second-to-none. His ability to cut through tricky issues and provide straight-forward and intelligent advice is invaluable.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Simon is always meticulous in his preparation for hearing. His cross-examination is consistently thought through and effective.”
Legal 500, 2023
“A super smart, very responsive and incredibly hard-working junior.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Very precise and thorough in his drafting. He has great judgement and always ensures that the team is thoroughly prepared.”
Legal 500, 2022
“He's very persuasive and an excellent advocate.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Very clever and in demand, he is brilliant on technical cases.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Simon is meticulous, affable and an impressive advocate. His attention to detail has always been a strength and he is always incredibly well prepared.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
“His key strength is in providing very clear and digestible legal and strategic advice on those complex factual scenarios.”
Legal 500, 2019
“A very well-rounded advocate who is extremely personable, fiendishly bright and very commercial.”
Legal 500, 2019
“He is exceptionally intelligent and is a fantastic advocate, particularly during cross-examination”
Chambers UK, 2017
“He is a very impressive advocate and is very good at highlighting weaknesses as well as strengths”
Chambers UK, 2017
“Someone who thinks through all the positions and comes up with good answers. He's worth his weight in gold”
Chambers UK, 2017
Simon’s practice covers Financial Services, Commercial, Tax, Employment, Public Law and Human Rights and EU and Competition. He appears regularly in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Tax and Chancery Chamber of the Upper Tribunal, Tax and Chancery Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal, county courts, employment tribunals, social security tribunals, the Competition Appeals Tribunal and before professional regulatory panels (including the RDC (part of the FCA), the interim orders panel of the General Medical Council, sports disciplinary panels including the disciplinary panel of the Rugby Football Union).
Simon is Junior Counsel to the Crown (‘A’ Panel).
Simon is recognised as a leading junior in the latest editions of both the leading legal directories for his expertise in commercial, employment, financial services and tax. Recent comments include:
Simon has a broad financial services practice and regularly advises clients, including the FCA, the PRA, the Bank of England, the HMT, the Jersey Financial Services Commission and the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commissions as well as both private companies and individual investors, in relation to various financial services matters, including variations of permission, collective investment schemes, applications for approvals, interim permissions, regulatory duties, sales standards, capital adequacy requirements, instruments qualifying for core tier 1 capital, enforcement proceedings, market abuse, insider dealing, the FCA’s conduct of business rules and levies imposed by the Pensions Protection Fund. Simon has advised and successfully assisted clients through the FCA’s process for approving individuals to perform controlled functions. In addition, Simon has advised several clients to bring complaints to the FOS and who are the subject of FOS complaints and he has advised the FCA and banks on matters relating to prudential rules and capital adequacy. Simon has also advised in relation to the changes of the financial services framework in the UK. Simon spent several months on secondment at the FSA (now the FCA) and uses the experience he gained in both General Counsel Division and Enforcement Division when advising clients.
Outside of financial services, Simon has considerable experience of prosecuting and defending in disciplinary proceedings in relation to the teaching profession, the medical profession and individuals involved in sport. In addition, Simon has generally advised regulators and professionals generally regarding their duties and functions, including Ofgem and the Bar Council.
Simon acts both for and against regulatory bodies.
Simon is co-author of a chapter on Financial Services Investigations in the Montgomery and Ormerod on Fraud, OUP (2008) and a chapter on appealing to the Upper Tribunal in A Practitioner's Guide to Financial Services Investigations and Enforcement 3rd ed, Sweet & Maxwell.
“Simon is a superstar in this field; he is a go-to for complex financial services cases.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Simon is so intelligent and all over the regulations. He understands how the FCA thinks and how tribunal matters play out.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Simon is responsive, insightful and user-friendly. He has strong expertise in financial services regulatory work and is really fun to work with.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Simon is very responsive and turns high quality drafted representations around very quickly. He knows the law extremely well and also knows the regulators and those who work within them very well. Go to junior this area.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Simon Pritchard is really thoughtful, responsive, easy to work with and has a good appreciation of the client's position. He's hard-working too.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Simon Pritchard is so knowledgeable and has a real eye for detail. He is indispensable on regulatory enforcement matters.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“He is very smart, completely on top of the detail, responsive, works incredibly hard and is a joy to work with.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“He is extremely solid, and the product he produces is really exceptionally good.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“A super smart, very responsive and incredibly hard-working junior.”
Legal 500, 2022
“He is approachable, user-friendly and a real expert.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Emerging as an experienced senior advocate with a wealth of practical knowledge to draw from.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Extremely intelligent and provides concise, easily digestible advice, and excellent written work.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is a hard worker and a strong team player for any counsel team.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Has excellent technical knowledge of FSMA 2000 and other relevant legislation, and is strong on strategy and tactics.”
Legal 500, 2019
“Hard-working, pleasant and intelligent.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“Bright and very user-friendly.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“Highly regarded junior.”
Chambers UK, 2018
“A first-rate junior in the world of financial services”
Legal 500, 2018
“no brief is too big for him to digest.”
Legal 500, 2018
“A very, very bright young lawyer who is very well versed in the regulatory framework.”
Chambers UK, 2017
“Someone who thinks through all the positions and comes up with good answers. He's worth his weight in gold”
Chambers UK, 2017
“He has an excellent financial services practice.”
Legal 500, 2017
“Hard-working, ruthless in cross-examination and someone who pays the most particular attention to detail.”
Chambers UK, 2016
Simon acted for the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in a matter where it imposed a fine of £87 million on Credit Suisse International and Credit Suisse Securities for significant failures in risk management and governance in connection with the firms’ exposures to a client.
It is the highest fine imposed by the PRA to date and the only time a PRA enforcement investigation has established breaches of four PRA Fundamental Rules: Rules 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the PRA Rulebook.
The PRA found that the firms’ risk management oversight and practices fell well below the regulatory standards required. The failings were found to be symptomatic of an unsound risk culture within the business line that failed to balance considerations of risk against commercial reward appropriately. The firms were also found to have failed to learn from past similar experiences and had insufficiently addressed concerns previously raised by the PRA.
Simon appeared before the Dubai Financial Markets Tribunal in 2021 in relation to action taken by the Dubai Financial Services Authority to impose sanctions on former La Tresorerie SEO, Gilles Rollett.
Mr Rollet's appeal was dismissed by the Financial Markets Tribunal in January 2022.
Simon acted for Lloyds Bank in a trial of two preliminary issues arising in a claim against the Bank regarding their review of the sale of interest rate hedging products.
Simon acted for the Bank in this case, where the FCA imposed a fine of £102,163,200 on Standard Chartered Bank for Anti-Money Laundering breaches. The penalty was reduced from £155 million at a contested hearing before the FCA’s Regulatory Decisions Committee, where it was decided that the initial figure was too high.
Simon acted for the FCA in a case where the Upper Tribunal ultimately decided that it was appropriate for the FCA to impose a penalty of £409,300 on Linear Investments Limited for a breach of Principle 3 of the Principles for Businesses.
Acted for the Skilled Person in this case where the High Court set out the approach to take when considering whether to sanction a proposed ring-fencing transfer scheme.
Act for the Commissioners in this appeal concerning time limits for raising post clearance demands under the Customs Code.
Acted for the Claimants in this warranties claim concerning a Share Sale Agreement.
Acted for the Interested Party in this matter concerning a Validation Order that had been made by the FCA in respect of numerous regulated credit agreements.
Acted for the FCA in this reference by the owner of an IFA advising clients on transferring occupational or personal pension benefits into a self-invested pension scheme. The Tribunal considered amongst other things the regulatory obligations that applied to firms giving such advice.
Represent the Claimant in this judicial review concerning the FOS’ jurisdiction in relation to complaints made about the principal of an appointed representative.
Acting for Scion in relation to a claim concerning various film finance schemes. The claim is, in large part, a general commercial dispute but it includes considerations of difficult tax issues as well as responding to a request for Further Information.
Acted for FCA in this enforcement action concerning its decision to ban the former CEO of a firm operating a national network of almost 400 appointed representatives and 516 registered individuals from performing FCA significant influence functions.
Advised LME in relation to public law issues regarding its Charge Capping framework, and in particular, the challenge and appeals process.
Acted for the FCA in this, the first reference to the Upper Tribunal by a debt counselling company challenging the FCA’s decision to end its interim permission to carry on regulated activities. The case confirmed the Tribunal’s jurisdiction to grant interim relief in such cases and explained the test to be applied when considering whether or not to grant interim relief.
The High Court exercised for the first time its s.129 FSMA powers to impose penalties (totalling £7.5m) for market abuse and granting final injunctions restraining market abuse in respect of “layering and spoofing” conduct. This case was featured in The Times. Javan Herberg QC led Simon, acting for the FCA.
Acted for the Appellant, a financial services company, in this appeal regarding the scope and meaning of Article 25 of the Regulated Activities Order.
A dispute between a principal and an appointed representative. Amongst other things, the Court of Appeal considered the effect of the parties agreeing to describe the term of a contract as a condition. The Court found that, on a proper construction, the parties had agreed that a term of a contract described as a condition was a condition of the contract and therefore breach of the term gave the innocent party the right to terminate the contract. By deciding otherwise at first instance, the Judge erred. Simon acted for Personal Touch on the appeal.
The Upper Tribunal refused Money Matcher’s application to suspend the effect of the Decision Notice refusing its application for full authorisation, with the result that the firm’s interim permission automatically ceased. Simon acted for the FCA.
The first case in which the Upper Tribunal considered the effect of a Decision Notice rejecting an application for full authorisation on a firm’s interim permission. The Upper Tribunal decided that the interim permission ceases automatically upon the giving of the Decision Notice and therefore a firm wishing to continue their interim permission must make an application to the Tribunal to suspend the effect of the Decision Notice. Javan Herberg QC led Simon, acting for the FCA.
The Upper Tribunal found that the applicant’s conduct fell below the standard to be expected of somebody fulfilling a significant function and demonstrated a serious lack of competence. The Upper Tribunal found that the conduct warranted a financial penalty and a partial prohibition. Simon acted for the FCA.
The Upper Tribunal refused the Applicant’s application to refer his case to the Upper Tribunal Tribunal out of time. The case raised unique questions about the impact of a settlement on the reference procedure. Simon acted for the FCA.
The Court of Appeal upheld the Upper Tribunal decision upholding the FSA’s decision to impose a fine of £8m on Swift Trade for market abuse. The Court of Appeal agreed that Swift Trade had committed market abuse by trading contracts for difference and that it sought to conceal the abusive trading from regulators. Furthermore, the Court of Appeal rejected Swift Trade’s argument that the misconduct fell outside the statutory market abuse regime because Swift Trade were dealing in contract for differences and not trading directly in shares. Tim Otty QC led Simon, acting for the FSA.
The Upper Tribunal dismissed the Applicant’s challenge of the FSA’s decision notice prohibiting him from performing any controlled function involving the exercise of significant influence in relation to any regulated activity carried on by any authorised person, exempt person or exempt professional firm. The Applicant, a former managing director of a mortgage broker, was found to have failed to establish adequate systems and controls to prevent financial crime and to have failed to ensure there were robust compliance procedures in place. In reaching its conclusion, the Tribunal rejected the Applicant’s argument that the FSA’s case had an evidential lacuna in relation to matters of competence and capability and that those issues could only be addressed through expert evidence. Simon acted for the FSA.
Appeared for FSA at hearing of reference to Tribunal from FSA Decision Notice imposing substantial financial penalties and withdrawal of permissions on management of hedge fund (Mercurius).
This case concerned the question of whether a director acted in accordance with his company law duties when transferring occupational and personal pension benefits into a self-invested pension scheme. It also examined whether a financial penalty would be appropriate and if so, whether this would be time barred and at what level it could be imposed.
Simon has been involved with various commercial cases, both on his own and led. His experience includes high value fraud cases (both in the UK and in the Caribbean), professional negligence claims arising from the mis-selling of financial products (both vanilla and sophisticated) and professional negligence claims against surveyors and insurance and reinsurance matters.
In addition, Simon regularly appears before the First Tier Tax Tribunal, the Upper Tribunal and the higher Courts in disputes concerning indirect taxation, customs and excise duties, stamp duty, income and corporation tax and anti-dumping matters.
Simon’s experience includes representing a motor racing team in a Commercial Court dispute concerning car design and advising banks regarding the sales standards of financial products.
Simon is experienced in cases involving injunctions, including freezing and search injunctions, both for the Claimant and the Defendant. In addition, Simon has experience of appearing at committal hearings for contempt.
“He takes the time to get the details right but always with the bigger picture and overall strategic objective in sight.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“He is a very capable senior junior, who is excellent for the most complex of cases.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Simon is an absolute pleasure to work with. In the face of legal complex matters, he is calm, focused and a great team player.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Simon is a complete barrister, who gets on really well with clients and solicitors.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
Simon represented HSBC in the Court of Appeal in a case regarding applications for security for costs and litigation funding, in the context of the ongoing civil claim brought by hundreds of investors in the Ingenious films and games schemes against various defendants, including promoters and banks.
Simon acted for Lloyds Bank in a trial of two preliminary issues arising in a claim against the Bank regarding their review of the sale of interest rate hedging products.
Simon is acting for Rabobank in relation to claims brought by two former employees to recoup the costs of their defence of US criminal proceedings.
Acted for the Skilled Person in this case where the High Court set out the approach to take when considering whether to sanction a proposed ring-fencing transfer scheme.
Acted for the Claimants in this warranties claim concerning a Share Sale Agreement.
Acting for Scion in relation to a claim concerning various film finance schemes. The claim is, in large part, a general commercial dispute but it includes considerations of difficult tax issues as well as responding to a request for Further Information.
Acting for C3P in relation to a claim concerning a scheme that was intended to mitigate stamp duty. The claim is, in large part, a general commercial dispute but it includes considerations of difficult tax issues.
A dispute between a principal and an appointed representative. Amongst other things, the Court of Appeal considered the effect of the parties agreeing to describe the term of a contract as a condition. The Court found that, on a proper construction, the parties had agreed that a term of a contract described as a condition was a condition of the contract and therefore breach of the term gave the innocent party the right to terminate the contract. By deciding otherwise at first instance, the Judge erred. Simon acted for Personal Touch on the appeal.
Simon appeared in the Supreme Court for three of the claimants in the claim relating to the riots.
Simon appeared for HMRC in this appeal by the taxpayer regarding customs classification.
Simon has developed a broad employment law practice, representing and advising clients in the employment tribunals and the EAT. Simon’s experience encompasses unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination and whistle-blowing. Simon has also represented former employers and employees in the High Court in various disputes concerning theft of confidential information and he regularly advises on various aspects of employment law, including redundancies, dismissals, state immunity, TUPE and claims arising out of poor references.
Simon is regularly instructed to appear at trials, pre-hearing reviews and case management conferences in Employment Tribunals throughout the UK.
“He is a pleasure to work with and has excellent attention to detail.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Simon is meticulous in his case preparation and is an absolute natural with clients, always putting them at ease.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Simon is quick to understand strategy, incredibly user-friendly and forward-thinking in the way he deals with things.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Simon is also excellent with clients, putting them at ease, and explaining complicated legal concepts in an easy-to-understand manner.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Simon is always meticulous in his preparation for hearing. His cross-examination is consistently thought through and effective.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He is very much in demand. He is incredibly quick to appreciate the nuances of the relationship with the employer and the employee; he is technically very strong and cuts straight to the point.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“Simon always gets on well with the clients and witnesses. His case preparation is impressive, always thorough, and focuses on the key aspects very quickly.”
Legal 500, 2022
“He's commercial and provides great client service.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“He's very persuasive and an excellent advocate.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Very client friendly, highly intelligent, committed and excellent all-round.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He's a brilliant barrister who is thoughtful and understands the regulatory environment.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
“Simon is meticulous, affable and an impressive advocate. His attention to detail has always been a strength and he is always incredibly well prepared.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
“A very well-rounded advocate who is extremely personable, fiendishly bright and very commercial.”
Legal 500, 2019
“Very commercial and pragmatic with an impressive eye for detail.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“He is personable and able to explain things to clients in a way they understand.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“a strong advocate who is always extremely well prepared.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“An incredibly able and technical barrister who establishes a good rapport with clients.”
Chambers UK, 2018
“He is exceptionally intelligent and is a fantastic advocate, particularly during cross-examination”
Chambers UK, 2017
“He is a very impressive advocate and is very good at highlighting weaknesses as well as strengths”
Chambers UK, 2017
“Tactically astute.”
Chambers UK, 2016
Simon is acting for Rabobank in relation to claims brought by two former employees to recoup the costs of their defence of US criminal proceedings.
Represented the respondent in this 3 day unfair dismissal and breach of contract claim.
Represented the respondent in this 4 day unfair dismissal and breach of contract claim.
As Junior Counsel to the Crown (‘A’ Panel), Simon regularly appears on behalf of Treasury Solicitors in variety of public law disputes including those with a particular financial services or tax emphasis, as well as more general public law claims. He has also acted for and against various professional regulators, including the General Medical Council and the General Teaching Council.
Simon is a qualified volunteer representative for the Free Representation Unit and has advised and has successfully represented clients in a range of appeals, including claims for Criminal Injury Compensation, Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance.
Simon has advised on various matters concerning public law and regulatory matters, including disciplinary matters, proposed changes to the state pension system, the power to operate as a pharmacy and the vires of public bodies’ contracts. In addition, Simon has advised in a case concerning the preservation of a deceased partner’s sperm.
“Very precise and thorough in his drafting. He has great judgement and always ensures that the team is thoroughly prepared.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Very clever and in demand, he is brilliant on technical cases.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He can deliver a salvo of oral punches at speed and before anyone has time to react.”
Legal 500, 2019
“He has deep expertise in public law and financial services regulation.”
Legal 500, 2018
“He provides sensible and commercial advice based on substantial experience.”
Legal 500, 2017
“He has genuine expertise and a very good understanding of judicial reviews in a financial services context”
Legal 500, 2016
“A keen and able junior; easy to work with and very responsive.”
Legal 500, 2015
Simon acted for the SFO in a case concerning their ability to issue extraterritorial information notices. The decision will impact the practice of other regulators and public bodies, such as the FCA and HMRC, when issuing information requirements.
Simon appeared as junior counsel for the Secretary of State in this case where a panel of 7 judges of the Supreme Court considered the appropriate approach to the proportionality test when dealing with claims of unlawful discrimination in breach of Article 14 ECHR and the role of Article 3.1 of the UNCRC.
Acted for the Commissioners in this appeal concerning the application of the time limit for raising a tax assessment. The Court found that the knowledge required under section 12(4)(b) of the Finance Act 1994 was actual knowledge of evidence of facts sufficient to justify the making of an assessment requiring payment of unpaid duty, and not constructive knowledge.
Act for the Commissioners in this appeal concerning corresponding deficiency relief. Also acted for the Commissioners in a connected judicial review which predated the tax appeal.
Act for the Commissioners in this appeal concerning time limits for raising post clearance demands under the Customs Code.
Advised LME in relation to public law issues regarding its Charge Capping framework, and in particular, the challenge and appeals process.
Represent the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in this challenge of revisions to the ‘benefit cap’.
Represented the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in this challenge against the removal of the spare room subsidy (also known as the ‘benefit cap’). This appeal, heard by seven Supreme Court Judges, confirmed the “manifestly without reasonable foundation” justification test that is applicable in cases of discrimination in the sphere of economic and social policy.
Simon (led by James Eadie QC and Gemma White QC), represented the Secretary of State in this case concerning the removal of the spare room subsidy.
Represented the SFO in this judicial review to the SFO’s use of its investigatory powers and, in particular, a request for mutual assistance that it made to the Monegasque authorities. The SFO is investigating allegations of corruption and bribery, with details of the matters under investigation forming the basis of BBC Panorama programme in late October 2016.
Represent the Claimant in this judicial review concerning the FOS’ jurisdiction in relation to complaints made about the principal of an appointed representative.
Simon (led by James Eadie QC at first instance), represented the Secretary of State in this case concerning the benefit cap.
Simon acted for the Secretary of State in this judicial review regarding the availability of release on temporary licence to prisoners serving indeterminate prison sentences.
Simon (led by Michael Beloff QC), represented the London Metal Exchange in this case concerning the scope of the duty to consult.
Simon (led by Kieron Beal QC) acted for HMRC in defence of challenge to the retrospective treatment of certain stamp duty land tax avoidance schemes.
Simon, led by James Eadie QC, represented HMRC in this case concerning Air Passenger Duty.
Simon acted for the claimants in this claim for judicial review regarding care homes.
Eady J rejected the Claimants’ argument that the Secretary of State’s policy regarding the settlement of adult dependants of former Gurkhas is flawed for uncertainty or fails to reflect its underlying purpose. Furthermore, Eady J rejected the argument that the policy had been applied irrationally to the four Claimants. Simon represented the Secretary of State.
The court examined the extent to which the Serious Fraud Office could extraterritorially exercise powers conferred upon it by the Criminal Justice Act 1987 in order to request material from outside of the UK held by a foreign company. In an unprecedented judgment, the court held that the compulsory document production powers must necessarily have extraterritorial application in order to preserve their effectiveness.
As Junior Counsel to the Crown (‘A’ Panel), Simon regularly appears on behalf of Treasury Solicitors in variety of disputes concerning civil liberties and human rights.
Simon has advised in relation to the compatibility of various proposed statutory instruments with ECHR. He has also acted in claims in the European Court of Human Rights.
“Very clear and concise. Always makes the key points brilliantly.”
Legal 500, 2023
Simon (led by James Eadie QC and Gemma White QC), represented the Secretary of State in this case concerning the removal of the spare room subsidy.
Simon (led by James Eadie QC at first instance), represented the Secretary of State in this case concerning the benefit cap.
Simon acted for the Secretary of State in this judicial review regarding the availability of release on temporary licence to prisoners serving indeterminate prison sentences.
Simon (led by Michael Beloff QC), represented the London Metal Exchange in this case concerning the scope of the duty to consult.
Simon (led by Kieron Beal QC) acted for HMRC in defence of challenge to the retrospective treatment of certain stamp duty land tax avoidance schemes.
Simon, led by Tim Otty QC, acts for the Claimant in this claim against Greece invoking Articles 3, 6, 13 and 14 of the ECHR.
Simon regularly appears before the Court of Appeal, Upper Tribunal and First-tier Tribunal in cases concerning indirect and direct tax, both on his own and led. Such cases often involve issues of EU law.
“A gracious but tenacious opponent.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Incredibly thorough and analytical, but also super client-friendly. He has a great talent for thinking ahead and spotting problems before they crop up.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“So knowledgeable and has a real eye for detail.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Simon is a junior who always provides fantastic support and can always be relied upon to consider an issue thoroughly and imaginatively.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He is a hard worker and a strong team player for any counsel team.”
Legal 500, 2021
“His key strength is in providing very clear and digestible legal and strategic advice on those complex factual scenarios.”
Legal 500, 2019
“Extensive tax court experience.”
Legal 500, 2018
“An able and conscientious junior, with a growing reputation in the tax space.”
Legal 500, 2017
“An able and conscientious junior with a growing indirect tax practice”
Legal 500, 2016
Simon acted for HMRC in a trial concerning the tax consequences of a costly refurbishment of a stately home.
Simon successfully acted for HMRC in this Supreme Court appeal in a case concerning the applicable time limits for communicating customs debts.
Simon successfully acted for the HMRC in an appeal from the Upper Tribunal concerning the operation of the “corresponding deficiency relief” (CDR) regime in the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005.
Acted for the Commissioners in this appeal concerning the application of the time limit for raising a tax assessment. The Court found that the knowledge required under section 12(4)(b) of the Finance Act 1994 was actual knowledge of evidence of facts sufficient to justify the making of an assessment requiring payment of unpaid duty, and not constructive knowledge.
Act for the Commissioners in this appeal concerning corresponding deficiency relief. Also acted for the Commissioners in a connected judicial review which predated the tax appeal.
Act for the Commissioners in this appeal concerning inward processing relief .
Simon, led by James Eadie QC, represented HMRC in this case concerning Air Passenger Duty.
Act for HMRC in this customs classification case regarding the duty payable on a plastic strap to the Apple Watch.
Act for HMRC in this dispute regarding the VAT treatment of gift vouchers distributed by the Daily Mail as part of a marketing campaign.
Acting for Scion in relation to a claim concerning various film finance schemes. The claim is, in large part, a general commercial dispute but it includes considerations of difficult tax issues as well as responding to a request for Further Information.
Acting for C3P in relation to a claim concerning a scheme that was intended to mitigate stamp duty. The claim is, in large part, a general commercial dispute but it includes considerations of difficult tax issues.
Act for HMRC in this dispute regarding the jurisdiction of the First Tier Tribunal in this appeal concerning excise duty in relation to goods that have been seized and condemned.
Acting for HMRC in this dispute regarding excise duty. The appeal relates to the date of HMRC’s knowledge for the purposes of determining whether an assessment for excise duty has been made within the relevant one-year time limit. The UT held that HMRC would only have knowledge of the “evidence of facts” sufficient to make an assessment when it had acquired knowledge of the evidence itself. That required it to have an opportunity to examine the evidence, rather than merely becoming aware of the existence of such evidence.
Act for HMRC in this dispute regarding the customs classification of artificial turf that is designed to be used on golf courses.
Simon, led by Kieron Beal QC, acts for HMRC in this case concerning the legality of certain provisions in the Finance Act 2014 governing oil and gas drilling contractors. The High Court has referred a series of questions to the CJEU.
Simon, led by Kieron Beal QC, represented HMRC in this case concerning valuation of goods for customs purposes.
Simon represented HMRC in this dispute concerning anti-dumping duties.
Simon represented HMRC in this dispute concerning customs classification.
Simon represented HMRC in this dispute concerning customs classification.
Simon, led by Kieron Beal, represented HMRC in this dispute concerning out of time appeals.
Simon has acted in various claims involving media and entertainment clients. In particular, Simon has acted in cases concerning copyright in musical compositions, infringement of image rights, breach of privacy claims and breaches of management agreements.
Simon has represented and advised clients in a number of sports related disputes, including potential claims against local football associations and he has advised the FA, led by Adam Lewis QC. In addition, Simon has acted as prosecutor for the Rugby Football Union in disciplinary matters and represented a motor racing team in a Commercial Court dispute concerning car design.
MChem (Oxon) First Class; Bar Vocational Course (BPP, London) Outstanding; Diploma in Law (Oxford Brookes) Distinction.
Simon received a scholarship from Lincoln’s Inn to spend time visiting the European Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg and the International Court of Justice, The Hague.
Dorset Police 2001-2005 (various roles)
VAT registration number: 922671035
Barristers regulated by the Bar Standards Board
Derek Sutton
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