Alun James
Alun aims to help businesses achieve their commercial objectives in the most tax efficient manner. His professional clients are for the most part accountants and the work business-orientated:
* transactional work
* corporate reorganisations
* share buy-backs and returning capital
* debt restructuring
* buy-outs
* transactions in securities and clearance work
* employment-related securities, EMI schemes, EIS/VCT issues and so on
He advises on all direct taxes in a business context, as well as SDLT and VAT.
Much of his practice is advisory, whether planning, transaction-based or assisting in relation to disputes with HMRC. Typically instructions come by email and are discussed in conference or by phone. He then settles a note of the advice given.
Litigation is also undertaken, usually at FTT/UT level.
Alun seeks always to develop a good working relationship with his clients. Many are in contact on a regular basis, sometimes just to talk a possible matter through, as well as for specific advice. Alun believes that the better our professional clients understand what we do, and the benefits we can provide, the better the end product.
Publications
He has been one of the editors of Bramwell’s Taxation of Companies and Company Reconstructions since 1992.
Directories - Professional Recommendations
Alun consistently features in both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.
"He has helped us to move forward a number of transactions that could otherwise have hit various roadblocks. His breadth of experience and commercial outlook are outstanding.""He is hugely capable and outstandingly good with clients." - Chambers UK 2024
"Alun is a joy to work with, flexible, pragmatic, always willing to discuss points in as much detail as necessary, engages in genuine dialogue with the person instructing, and is equally good with lay clients.’ - Legal 500 2024
"Alun is able to quickly relate to the commercial considerations as well as the tax issues in a case.""Very flexible and highly responsive, he's able to deal with complex issues in a very practical way." - Chambers and Partners 2023: Tax
"Alun James is head of chambers, and in addition to a strong advisory practice, acts on litigation at the first and upper tribunal" "Great communicator and very skilled. Always helpful. A pleasure to deal with."
- Legal 500 2023
"Accessible, always open to discussion and pragmatic in his approach." "He is good at making complicated things easy to understand."
- Chambers and Partners 2022: Tax
"Alun is very easy to work with and is flexible and pragmatic in his approach. He has a thorough technical approach and is good with lay clients if they are involved in meetings." Legal 500 2022: Tax Corporate
"Technically very good but also aware of the commercial dynamics of transactions." "He is a very clear thinker and a solutions person who has excellent knowledge of the tax legislation." - Chambers and Partners 2021: Tax
‘Courteous and efficient, he gets on well with clients.’- Legal 500 2021: Tax Corporate
"A very good advocate who's knowledgeable, clear and persuasive." "A leading expert in corporate tax law, he adopts a strong commercial approach when giving advice." - Chambers and Partners 2020: Tax
"Well prepared, prompt advice and easily accessible; well-liked by his clients." - Legal 500 2020: Tax Corporate
"Has a great grasp of the issues and is very good with clients". "He is very down-to-earth and quick-witted. He listens carefully to his clients, thinks widely, and encourages you to challenge him. In addition, he articulates clearly, and has the emotional intelligence to adapt and act appropriately when faced with changing scenarios." - Chambers and Partners 2019: Tax
Other Experience
He has been in practice since 1988 and is also a member of Exchange Chambers in Liverpool and Manchester.
Additional Information
He lectures in his areas of particular interest across the UK, and often participates in clients’ in-house discussion sessions on topical tax issues.
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