Admitted to the Bar 2011
Experience
Chris has over 20 years’ commercial and tax law experience.
In Chambers Asia Pacific 2022 Chris is ranked Band 1 (Tax) and is acknowledged as a “‘very experienced junior’ who combines a hands-one approach with ‘a similar level of experience and expertise to, and a lot of the softer skills of, a QC'”.
Clients say he commands “respect as on one of those barristers ‘who live and breath their profession'” and are comfortable calling him on difficult matters “since he’s done it all” – Chambers Asia Pacific 2021.
Chris’ recent cases include leading decisions on transfer pricing (SingTel), taxation of gains made by foreign residents (Resource Capital Fund IV), the revenue / capital distinction (Healius), residency (Harding – special leave), fringe benefits (Virgin), use of taxpayer information (La Mancha), and stamp duty exemptions for charities (Salvation Army and YWCA). He is currently involved in several high value audits and appeals concerning transfer pricing, Tax Treaties, R&D, Div 7A, PSI, withholding tax, Part IVA, superannuation, residency and stamp duty. He is commonly briefed to appear unled against Silk.
Chris’ career highlights also include acting for:
– News Corporation in its successful claim for an $850 million refund for foreign exchange losses
– The Bell Group (in liq) in its appeal from a $260 million assessment following the successful multi-billion claim against its banking syndicate
– John Holland in its successful appeal to the Full Federal Court for deductibility of travel costs for “Fly-in Fly-out” (FIFO) workers
Additional current and recent clients include Aurizon, Bechtel, Mineralogy, Lehman Bros (in liq), Zip (bnpl), Australian Solar, and Lakes Oil. Chris also acts for a number of high net worth (HNW) private groups in a range of advice, audit and litigious matters.
He is regularly instructed by the Big 4, large international and domestic law firms, and boutique legal and accounting practices.
In addition Chris is briefed in a range of matters for both the Australian Taxation Office, and Screen Australia (tax offsets for film / TV productions).
As to general commercial work, Chris acts for underwriters of financial lines insurance, and also individuals subject to regulatory inquiries, and liquidators examinations. He acted for underwriters of Babcock & Brown’s D&O Policy in relation to suits brought against B&B directors and officers in respect of unsuccessful investments, and also for the Chairman of Trio in relation to its $400 million collapse.
Independent client surveys:-
Chris is ranked as a leading tax junior in all major client surveys: Chambers and Partners (Band 1), Legal 500 (Band 1), Best Lawyers, World Tax (in association with the International Tax Review), Who’s Who Legal, Doyle’s Guide (Preeminent).
Chris’ “broad tax law practice embraces mandates both for taxpayers and for the ATO and incorporates noted expertise in transfer pricing and the taxation of capital and revenue and foreign investments. Interviewees rate him, not only as ‘a good sort of person to have on the team for large matters,’ but also as a ‘very experienced junior barrister’ who combines a hands-on approach with ‘a similar level of experience and expertise to, and a lot of the softer skills of, a QC.'” – Chambers Asia Pacific 2022.
“One of the best senior-juniors in the tax space at the Sydney bar.. approachable and does [a mix of] work for taxpayers and the Commissioner”. …‘an excellent junior, is willing to pull out all the stops’ when tackling tax cases.” – The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 (Tax Bar).
“Chris [commands] respect as one of those barristers ‘who live and breathe their profession’ and for his versatility in acting for both taxpayers and the ATO. Able ‘to deliver a really good product on really complex matters within the time needed,’ he inspires one interviewee to observe: ‘If I have a difficult matter, I feel comfortable calling him since he’s done it all.’” – Chambers Asia Pacific 2021.
“Chris .. is an increasingly prominent senior junior at the tax Bar who is also accomplished in commercial and insurance law. ‘[He] is a standout in terms of engaging in current issues in the tax space, including ethics in tax’ ” – Chambers Asia Pacific 2020 .
“Chris .. is a sought after advocate, with experience appearing at all levels of the Australian court system” – Chambers Asia Pacific 2019.
“Chris … is considered an ‘excellent tax barrister’ by clients and wins praise for ‘fighting for his clients while providing objective advice’ ” – Chambers Asia Pacific 2018
