Exchange Chambers

Senior Government Lawyer joins Exchange Chambers

A senior Government lawyer is leaving the civil service after fifteen years to pursue a career in private practice.

Alison Graham-Wells, senior lawyer in the VAT and Excise Litigation team at HMRC, is joining Exchange Chambers in Manchester.

Called to the Bar in 1992, Alison joined the Government Legal Service (GLS) in July 1994 and has had an interesting and successful career with HMCE and its successor HMRC.

In her current role, she is responsible for advising on complex litigation concerning indirect tax matters brought before the First and Upper-tier Tribunal (Tax Chambers) and higher courts.

Prior to this, Alison established the Missing trader intra-community (MTIC) Civil Litigation Team , recruiting 16 staff in the process.

Commenting on the move, Alison said:

“This is a great opportunity to establish my career in independent practice. I believe that my skill set and the niche area in which I’ve developed these skills will complement the excellent service that Exchange Chambers delivers.

“My background is best suited to developing a practice in commercial law, an area in which Chambers excels.

She added:

“I have had a long and pleasant history of instructing Exchange Chambers and I know that the progressive environment which the set has created is ideally suited to my way of working.”

Said Tom Handley, Director of Chambers at Exchange Chambers:

“This is an exciting appointment for Chambers.

“Alison has won the respect of her seniors and peers, both within the HMRC and outside of it, for her expertise in this area of law and the conduct of her practice.

“Throughout her career she has been involved in the development and implementation of national litigation strategy, including excise fraud strategy at MTIC. She has worked closely with the most senior Policy Advisers to HM Government and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Chambers.”