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BA, Oxford (First Class) Diplome d’etudes specialisees en droit europeen, Brussels (Grande Distinction)
BA, Oxford (First Class) Diplome d’etudes specialisees en droit europeen, Brussels (Grande Distinction)
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Ranked as a “Star Individual” in Chambers & Partners, Valentina Sloane KC is a leading litigator and advocate across the fields of procurement, VAT and other indirect taxes, trade and customs, commercial, regulatory and public law.
The leading directories have consistently recommended Valentina as a top ranked barrister in her fields of specialist expertise. She has been described as “One of the best advocates of her generation”, “extraordinarily bright”, “incredibly compelling”, “a formidable opponent”, and “a tough, tenacious and brilliant advocate” with “excellent command of the detail and complex litigation work”. She is also “extremely user-friendly and responsive” and “has great client-facing skills”.
Who’s Who Legal recognises Valentina as a Global Leader in a variety of commercial and regulatory fields (Trade & Customs, Government Contracts and Tax Controversy). It describes her as “an impressive and powerful barrister” and “an exceptional advocate who is hugely respected in court”.
Valentina has extensive experience of leading high-value, complex and high-profile litigation. Her recent cases include representing the claimant in a challenge to the Government’s procurement of a £1 billion contract for a supercomputer, one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2022, acting in the Supreme Court on a customs duties case and appearing before the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the EU in a challenge to the validity of VAT legislation for online platforms.
Valentina’s practice encompasses acting for both private entities and public bodies in procurement litigation, VAT, import and customs duties, excise duties, gaming duties, trade remedies, subsidies, anti-dumping duties, commercial, regulatory and public law. Her practice in these areas spans various industry sectors, including rail and transport, health, energy, gaming, IT and finance.
Prior to taking silk, Valentina was a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel and has wide-ranging public law and judicial review expertise.
Valentina is recognised in the directories as one of the top silks in the field of indirect taxes. Who’s Who Legal names her as a Global Leader in Tax Controversy.
Valentina specialises in VAT, customs and excise duties.
Valentina is a contributor to the Tax Journal and De Voil Tax Intelligence.
Tax: Indirect Tax: “A great all-rounder with excellent client-handling skills, who is very good technically and on the strategy.” “Valentina has one of the sharpest VAT minds in the business. Her speedy grasp of complex technical matters is first class.” – Chambers UK, 2021
Tax: corporate and VAT: ‘‘She is a class act.’’ – Legal 500, 2020
Court of Justice of the EU:
Supreme Court/House of Lords:
Court of Appeal:
High Court:
Upper Tribunal:
First Tier Tribunal:
Valentina has extensive experience of public procurement.
She is recommended in the directories as one of the top silks in the field of public procurement. Who’s Who Legal names her as a Global Leader in Government Contracts.
“Gets to the heart of complex issues quickly and provides value in developing strategy.” She has a commanding courtroom presence and her cross-examination has real impact with the judges.” – Chambers UK, 2021
Valentina Sloane KC is “an impressive and powerful barrister” and “an exceptional advocate who is hugely respected in court”. One peer effuses, “She is fiercely intelligent and delivers a more effective message in 15 minutes than many barristers do in two hours.” – Who’s Who Legal, Global Guide 2020, Government Contracts
Public Procurement: “She is extremely intelligent and brilliant in her analysis.” “Valentina is excellent in conferences and is a very strong advocate in court.” “She is professional, knowledgeable and very clear and concise.” – Chambers UK, 2024
Tax: Indirect Tax: “She has a measured style.” “A leading light in the indirect tax world, who is very popular and highly responsive to clients.” “She is the full package.” “She is the queen of strategy and an excellent advocate.” “Valentina is at the top of her game – a leading silk for VAT.” – Chambers UK, 2024
Leading Silk in Public procurement: ‘‘Valentina is a complete star, combining superb intelligence with laser-like legal insight.’ – Legal 500, 2024
Leading Silk in Tax: VAT and excise: ‘‘Valentina is incredibly bright and an excellent advocate in hearings. She is responsive and thinks quickly on her feet and she is incredibly well prepared and insightful.’’ – Legal 500, 2024
Public Procurement: “She is incisive, robust and well-prepared.” “Valentina is a class act.” “Really forceful and clear in her submissions, she’s really liked by judges.” “Brilliant, good with clients and just a great advocate.” – Chambers UK, 2023
Tax: Indirect Tax: “Valentina is a great advocate, who gives practical and commercial advice.” “She provides authoritative, clear and unbiased opinions.” “Always gives great written advice and is very effective in court.” – Chambers UK, 2023
Leading Silk in Public procurement: ‘‘Valentina is excellent at complex litigation work.’ – Legal 500, 2023
Leading Silk in Tax: corporate and VAT: ‘‘Valentina is becoming the go-to silk for customs and VAT disputes. With a tireless work ethic and effortless advocacy style, she is a delight to work with.’’ – Legal 500, 2023
Recommended in Government Contracts, Who’s Who Legal Global Guide 2022
‘‘Valentina Sloane QC is a deeply experienced silk who frequently works on major procurement cases for high-profile pharmaceutical and transport companies.” – Government Contracts, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2022
Recommended in Corporate Tax, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2022
Public Procurement: “Gets straight to the point and takes a very commercial view.” “A thoughtful barrister who is meticulous in her preparation and a highly effective advocate.” – Chambers UK, 2022
Tax: Indirect Tax: “A superb advocate who is hard-working and commercial in her approach.” “She presents very well and is friendly and easy to work with.” – Chambers UK, 2022
Leading Silk in Public procurement: ‘‘A fine advocate with a fine analytic legal mind. She had the judge’s ear.’ – Legal 500, 2022
Leading Silk in Tax: corporate and VAT: ‘‘Valentina has a great eye for detail and is collaborative. She is an excellent communicator, thorough and has detailed technical knowledge.’’ – Legal 500, 2022
‘‘One of the best advocates of her generation” report peers, who highlight that that she “is always thoroughly prepared, calm and commercial” – Government Contracts, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2021
Recommended in Corporate Tax, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2021
Public Procurement: “Gets to the heart of complex issues quickly and provides value in developing strategy.” She has a commanding courtroom presence and her cross-examination has real impact with the judges.” – Chambers UK, 2021
Tax: Indirect Tax: “A great all-rounder with excellent client-handling skills, who is very good technically and on the strategy.” “Valentina has one of the sharpest VAT minds in the business. Her speedy grasp of complex technical matters is first class.” – Chambers UK, 2021
New Silk in Public procurement: ‘‘A fine advocate with a fine analytic legal mind. She had the judge’s ear.’ – Legal 500, 2021
New Silk in Tax: corporate and VAT: ‘‘Very user friendly with clients and has a great grasp of the detail when evidence is complex.’’ – Legal 500, 2021
“Secures impressive endorsements from peers for her deep knowledge of EU procurement regimes.” – Government Contracts, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2020
Public Procurement: “Clear and well-directed advocacy, delivered extremely crisply. Very responsive and good to deal with.” “Highly technical advice on public procurement issues.” – Chambers UK, 2020
Tax: Indirect Tax: “Very user-friendly, incredibly bright and very practical.” “She has excellent client-handling skills, and is very good both technically and on the strategy front.” – Chambers UK, 2020
New Silk in Public procurement: ‘‘A star performer, and especially good on funds in public procurement’’ – Legal 500, 2020
New Silk in Tax: corporate and VAT: ‘‘She is a class act.’’ – Legal 500, 2020
“A highly persuasive advocate” say peers who commend her impressive practice. She appears in domestic and international courts on high-value tax disputes” – Corporate Tax, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2019
“Recognised for her considerable experience handling complex public contracts matters relating to EU procurement regimes” – Government Contracts, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2019
Public Procurement: “Provides clear and well-directed advocacy, which is delivered extremely crisply.” She is “responsive, good to deal with, dependable and hard-working.” – Chambers UK, 2019
Tax: Indirect Tax: “Incredibly compelling.” “An intelligent and dynamic advocate with excellent command of the detail.” – Chambers UK, 2019
Leading junior in Public procurement: ‘‘Highly technical advice on public procurement issues’’ – Legal 500, 2018
Leading junior in Tax: corporate and VAT: ‘‘A highly experienced tax barrister’’ – Legal 500, 2018
Public Procurement: “A day-to-day specialist in this area” and “an impressive senior junior who is hard-working, dependable and knowledgeable.” – Chambers UK, 2018
Tax: Indirect Tax: “An excellent junior and a great advocate who is very good with clients.” “Her advice is clear, concise and considered and she really fights your corner.” – Chambers UK, 2018
Valentina studied law at St. John’s College, Oxford where she gained first class honours. She was awarded a Wiener-Anspach scholarship to undertake a year of postgraduate study at the Institut d’Etudes Européennes in Brussels, where she gained a diplôme d’études spécialisées en droit européen (LLM) with a grande distinction. Valentina was a Bedingfield Scholar of Gray’s Inn.