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Notable Cases - Julian Hickey
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JULIAN HICKEY, TAX BARRISTER, DIRECTOR, HICKEY LAW

Julian Hickey was called to the Bar in 1995 and has worked as a partner at several major City and West End law firms.

Julian Hickey

Julian specialises in disputes that arise from any tax or tax-related matters (enquiries, appeals, judicial reviews, trusts, company, partnership, insolvency, intellectual property, real estate, professional negligence), advising clients on the tax implications whilst keeping a good appreciation of the wider issues relevant to them.

Julian was a member of Attorney General’s Panel from 2017 to 2026.

Hickey Law is available to be instructed by both UK and international clients, providing advocacy and advisory services on contentious matters related to tax.

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Julian advises on all aspects of tax appeals (First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber), Upper Tribunal (Tax & Chancery), Court of Appeal) and judicial review (High Court and Court of Appeal); and also acts on tax-related criminal investigations (defence), matters arising from professional negligence (claims and defence). In a regulatory context, he takes appeals before the Taxation Disciplinary Board (CIOT/ATT).

Julian accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers’ practice including corporate, international, employment, private client, VAT, SDLT, Stamp Taxes, and customs and excise duty. For illustrative experience, please refer to Featured Cases.

During Julian’s practice career, first as a solicitor and then as a barrister, he has developed a wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of company, partnership, intellectual property, trusts and insolvency law. This enables him to advise clients with a sound understanding of the wider issues relevant to these cases. Julian’s experience includes advising on corporate take-overs and reconstructions, real estate transactions, review of existing structures or on establishing operations, exit scenarios for investors/management and various schemes of reconstruction, demergers, s.110 liquidations.

Julian was ranked in Chambers and Partners UK and Legal 500 for Tax and rated as “very bright and mixes commercial acumen with the academic rigour required in tax work… His experience as a solicitor gives him a unique insight and marks him out at the Bar.”

Julian is instructed by Solicitors, Accountants, Chartered Tax Advisers, Trust & Estate Practitioners. Julian can also be instructed directly by clients under the Bar Direct Public Access scheme, which allows him, in appropriate cases, to work without an instructing legal or tax professional.

During Julian’s practice career, first as a solicitor and then as a barrister, he has developed a wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of company, partnership, intellectual property, trusts and insolvency law. This enables him to advise clients with a good appreciation of the wider issues relevant to these cases.

Professional experience

Advising and representing clients on:

  • Rectification claims concerning tax planning; allegations of mistake and false representations
  • Professional negligence (claims and defence) relating to tax advice and solicitors’ negligence
  • Defence to allegations of commercial fraud / cheating the public revenue / fraud by false representation
  • Advising on and defence to allegations of contempt of court
  • Insolvency / corporate winding-up
  • Trust disputes: advising on trustee powers and obligations / rights of beneficiaries
  • Advising on shareholder rights / director duties / shareholder disputes
  • Intellectual property licensing
  • Partnership formation and disputes
  • Corporate mergers and acquisition
  • Contract law: scope of obligations and remedies
  • Civil procedure and costs

Professional

  • Barrister (licensed for self-employed practice)
  • Fellow Chartered Institute of Taxation (2012-2024)
  • Solicitor Admitted April 2005, on Roll to 2014
  • Called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in Oct 1995
  • Chancery Bar Association
  • Revenue Bar Association

Education

  • Ph.D (Tax and Intellectual Property), Centre for Commercial Law Studies, University of London. Examiners: Professor John Avery-Jones and Professor John Tiley
  • LLM (Tax) (Merit), London School of Economics
  • Inns of Court School of Law: 1994-95: Gray’s Inn, Very Competent
  • LLM (Corporate) (Merit), Centre for Commercial Law Studies, University of London
  • LLB (Hons), 2.1, Queen Mary, University of London

Professional Experience

  • 2022 – present: Barrister, Old Square Tax Chambers
  • 2020 – 2021: Barrister, Addington Chambers, co-founding member and Joint Head of Chambers
  • 2016 – present: Barrister, St John’s Buildings Chambers
  • 2018 – 2020: Barrister, 9 Stone Buildings Chambers
  • 2014-2018: Barrister, Temple Tax Chambers
  • 2011 – 2013: Partner at Bird & Bird LLP
  • 2010 to 2011: Partner at Lawrence Graham LLP
  • 2006 to 2010: Partner Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
  • 2005 to 2006: Senior Associate at Watson, Farley & Williams LLP
  • 2003 to 2004: Barrister, 3 Temple Gardens Tax Chambers
  • 2000 to 2003: Associate at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP
  • 1996 to 1998: Research Fellow at Centre for Commercial Law Studies, University of London
  • 1996 to 1997: Judicial Assistant to Mr Justice Evans-Lombe, Chancery Division

Julian is a first-generation lawyer. His father and grandfather were engineers who ran the family business, J Hickey & Sons, based in Richmond, London.

Julian’s interest in tax developed purely at the suggestion of his law tutor that he might be interested in studying for a PhD in tax and intellectual property (which he completed whilst also being the Judicial Assistant to Mr Justice Evans-Lombe (Chancery Division)). Since that time Julian has acquired over 20 years of tax experience (as an advisor and litigator), both as a solicitor and then as a barrister.

He has twins, a girl and a boy, who ensure that he is constantly involved in learning new things with them. To the extent time permits, he is a keen beekeeper (Hickey Honey) and sailor.

Julian Hickey UK Bar 2026
UK Bar 25
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TESTIMONIALS
Julian Hickey is an excellent advocate who is patient with the client and highly professional in court.
Tax, UK Bar
Julian’s depth of knowledge and sharp analytical skills are second to none, enabling him to tackle complex legal issues with confidence and clarity. His responsiveness and cheerful demeanour make working with him both efficient and enjoyable, fostering a sense of trust and collaboration. Notably, Julian excels in providing top-tier advocacy under pressure, consistently delivering persuasive arguments and maintaining composure in high-stakes environments.
Tax , UK Bar
"Julian is a fantastic barrister displaying great intelligence, agility and strategic thinking on complex tax cases. He always puts the interest of the client first and is successful at creating the best possible outcome in any situation. Highly recommended.”
US based Client Testimonial
“… I want to pass on a big thank you for the complicated tax work Julian Hickey has concluded for me at this stage. … Various tax advisers were used over a number of years with very little movement from HMRC costing huge sums of money in addition to the stress. … I emailed 3 tax barristers including Julian Hickey explaining 8/9 points of dispute … Julian went through in detail all the issues in a simple method that I understood and followed with ease. He called me regularly out of hours, weekends and even worked on my case whilst on holiday. HMRC listened to Julian Hickey agreeing to a number of points substantially reducing the tax exposure by more than 50%. … Julian Hickey's presence in any negotiations will be listened to and respected with his calm and concise nature …"
Client Testimonial
Julian has been patient, insightful and most importantly technically brilliant. Our inhouse team has learnt immensely from Julian’s input into our complex case. Whilst no one wishes for litigation, we know who we will use in any future matters – he is always thoroughly prepared and put our case clearly and robustly
FS - Head of Group Legals & FinanceMulti-national Group of Companies
Julian Hickey is an exceptional advocate. He combines strong written submissions with impressive courtroom skills. He is able to adapt quickly and think on his feet in challenging situations. His technical knowledge in tax litigation is outstanding, particularly in cases involving HMRC disputes. He is also a pleasure to work with—personable, approachable, and highly respected in the sector.
Helen CummingsJurit LLP
Julian Hickey - Exchequer Chambers 'He is an excellent advocate, with a knack of distilling down complex arguments for consumption.'
London Bar
“Julian is a pleasure to work with, responsive and practical in dealing effectively with the issues arising. He has a deep and broad-based technical knowledge, extending to other areas of law relevant when considering tax matters. His thorough and highly professional approach in preparing for litigation is reflected in both the written submissions and well-conceived and fluent advocacy.”
Iain RobertsonTax Consultant
“Julian’s ability to explain complex tax technical arguments in a straightforward way was very beneficial to me and the other advisers. His advocacy skills are first class and he is great to work with.”
CFOUK Corporate Group
“In addition to being very able technically Julian has a good understanding of practical in-house issues. He is a lawyer with great integrity and will not hesitate to advise you that something does not work. In my experience, this is not a quality found in all lawyers!”
Head of Transfer PricingFinancial Institution
“Thanks so much for the detail [in the note of advice], in my 20-year tax career the best email I have ever read.”
Head of TaxListed Company
“I have used Julian as tax counsel for my clients and also as a second review for the tax technical aspects of client work since starting my own, independent tax consultancy. I find Julian highly accessible and user friendly in his role as counsel. His advice is efficient, to the point and includes decisive recommendations of the best way to proceed in any given client scenario. Julian has a wide-ranging knowledge of tax and, often more importantly, general legal issues. This is highly valued by me and my clients alike. My clients are most often engaged in complex transactions. Julian’s advice is always commercially-focused and this is essential for my client base. His personable approach also ensures my clients like him as well as his advice.”
Kevin HindleyPartner, AndersentTax
“I worked with Julian on a number of projects and his analysis was both of a very high technical standard and commercially astute.”
Jonathan Peacock QC11 New Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London
“Julian is a hugely capable and experienced tax lawyer, besides being charming and great fun to work with.”
David Southern QCTax Barrister at Temple Tax Chambers
“Having appeared in Court against Julian, I can say he is an excellent solicitor-advocate, and knows his tax law inside out. I would be very happy to recommend him for tax advisory and litigation work.”
Sam Grodzinski QCBarrister at Blackstone Chambers