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Melanie Hall QC: What the Directories say

Chambers UK, 2010 states that "Melanie Hall QC is pre-eminent in the field of VAT and customs duties, having represented numerous high-profile clients in courts up to and including the House of Lords and the ECJ. Her tenacious courtroom style places her in high demand, with clients noting that she is "a particularly effective cross-examiner." She also earns praise for her "ability to present complex arguments in a way that non-experts can understand.""

Melanie Hall QC is 'one of the most respected and able counsel in the field of VAT advice and advocacy' and highly regarded accordingly. - The Legal 500, 2009

"Renowned for her "prodigious strength in court," Hall has a reputation as a "tenacious fighter and cross-examiner." She has made numerous appearances in the High Court and VAT Tribunal for prestigious clients on major cases including JPMorgan v HMRC, Boots plc v HMRC, Vodafone v HMRC and HMRC v Weald Leasing." - Chambers UK, 2009 

Melanie is in the top tier of leading silks at the Bar for VAT in The Legal 500, 2008: "... ' Fearsome cross-examiner' and ' stamp duty expert' Melanie Hall QC is 'exceptionally sound on EU law and its implications in the context of VAT. She is easy to work with, pragmatic, and has a thorough, commercial approach'. She has recently been engaged on matters involving Boots Opticians and Dollond & Aitchison." 

"...“Aggressive” is a description used by some, while others prefer “assertive,” either way, Melanie Hall QC has established a “formidable” reputation as a trial lawyer. “Versatile and effective,” her clients include banks, accountants and retailers, who appreciate her “incredibly hard work and thorough preparation.”..."  - Chambers UK, 2008

"...“Sensational litigator” Melanie Hall QC advises on VAT law and undertakes work mainly for the private sector and cases for the Commissioners. Many of her clients are household names in the retail sector but she is also instructed by accountancy firms, banks and telecoms companies. Solicitor interviewees were impressed by the fact that she “is outstanding on evidence, tactics and dealing with cases with a high factual content.” Others pointed to her reassuring manner with clients: “She can take the sting out of a case, which gives her clients great confidence.”..." - Chambers UK, 2007

"Melanie Hall QC acts for HMRC and an impressive list of private sector clients." - The Legal 500, 2007

"The impressive Melanie Hall QC frequently represents the Commissioners in significant cases, and also acts for high-profile household names." - The Legal 500, 2006

"Melanie Hall QC makes her first appearance in the tax tables and is a VAT and EU law specialist. She acts for the commissioners and the private sector and was involved in Mirror Group and Kretztechnik, regarding the VAT treatment of share issues." - Chambers UK, 2006 

"The tenacious Melanie Hall QC is one of the most reputed VAT practitioners at the Bar, acting for both companies and the Commissioners from tribunal level through to the ECJ." - Legal 500, 2005 

"Monckton Chambers... have the greatest concentration of VAT expertise. ... our equal ranking this year reflects the considerable strength Monckton Chambers' members gain from excellent EC practices, and the importance of the experience its members have from acting for the government. ...Melanie Hall QC has built a solid reputation for clarity and tenacious cross-examination, supported by 'extremely thorough' preparation. Hall's significant cases include Wellcome, Midland Bank, Abbey National, and EDS." - Legal 500, 2004

"...Melanie Hall QC also combines an in-depth knowledge of EU law with a specialism in VAT and customs matters built on major cases like EDS (the VAT treatment of call centres)..." - Legal 500, 2003