In a surprising turn of events, Robert Venables KC, a distinguished tax barrister and senior member of Old Square Tax Chambers, is currently facing prosecution by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for allegedly evading tax over a period of nine years. This case has garnered significant attention, not only because of Venables' esteemed reputation in the legal community but also due to the serious nature of the charges.
Background and Career
Robert Venables KC has had a long and illustrious career in tax law. Called to the Bar in 1973, he was appointed as a Queen's Counsel (now King's Counsel) in 1990. Venables has authored several books on tax law, particularly focusing on offshore and inheritance tax issues. He has also served as the chairman of the Revenue Bar Association and is a council member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
The Charges
Venables is facing two counts of "cheating the public revenue," a criminal offense that involves dishonestly evading tax. The charges relate to his personal tax returns for two distinct periods: from 2013 to 2022 and from 2018 to 2022. This is believed to be the first case of its kind involving a King's Counsel.
Venables' Response
In response to the charges, Venables has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Through a statement issued by his chambers, he expressed confidence that he has paid all tax lawfully due and emphasized that the charges pertain solely to his personal tax position, not to any of his clients. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Venables continues to practice and has the full support of his chambers.
Implications and Reactions
The prosecution of a high-profile barrister like Venables raises critical questions about ethics and integrity within the legal profession. It underscores the importance of legal professionals maintaining the highest standards of compliance and transparency in their personal tax affairs. The legal community is closely watching the case, as its outcome could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
Conclusion
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case against Robert Venables KC will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications. It serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between legal expertise and personal responsibility. The legal profession is founded on trust, and incidents like this challenge that foundation. Venables' assertions of compliance with tax laws will be tested in court, and the legal community, along with the public, will be watching closely.
The next hearing is set for 11 May 2025.
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The Chsncellor has just announced measures to deal with covid corruption, will she also do something to address HMRC corruption? 🤔
ReplyDeleteChancellor has just announced recruitment in Compliance and Debt jobs at HMRC. Wasn't it the last Labour government that started the rot that lost the department tens of thousands of skilled and experienced such staff?
ReplyDeleteYour memory is correct. HMRC closed hundreds of local offices UK-wide and retreated to regional hubs well away from any real contact with the taxpaying public.
DeleteWhat local skill and knowledge does HMRC have now? Field Force?? Pathetic, unemployable, low IQ people who are frightened of their own shadow and are worse than useless at collecting debt.
He should have moved to Dubai, with the occasional visit to the UK.
ReplyDeleteWhen Trump gets in next week, he'll do away with income tax, using tariffs to generate income.
UK won't be very far behind.
Goodbye HMRC
And goodbye to healthcare.
DeleteGoodbye to state education.
Goodbye to social care.
Goodbye to state pensions.
Goodbye to infrastructure.
I can hardly wait.
But some civil servants will lose their job, so it's okay.
It will not happen. Not in the USA. And definitely not in the UK.
DeleteSo with Trump winning tye election does this change your view?
DeleteHMRC will do what they always do. Apologize, lessons learned, let the top dogs going out of the door take the heat.
ReplyDeleteMove along, nothing to see here.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/income/hmrc-review-over-loan-charge-linked-to-suicides/
Apologising is not enough. These people need to be investigated for Misconduct in Public Office - follow the evidence. I fear the conduct of HMRC is contributing to the awful sense of law and order being eroded. Public officials who have committed offences must be made an example of.
DeleteI joined the Inland Revenue in 1977 and share your concern. I don't think I'm looking back with rose tinted spectacles, but the calibre of staff, committed and decent, was just different then compared to now.
DeleteThe issue here is that employees these days do not stay with an employer for long-in any industry. When I started work in 1975, older colleagues had been there for over 30 years. When I left in 2020, there were few who had been there for more than 10 years. They keep moving on, each move a tick to add to their CV. No such thing as a job for life or company loyalty today-anywhere.
DeleteDoes that explain the lack of decency?
DeleteTo 1 November 2024 @13:15
DeleteIf your employer treated you like shit and bullied, ad happens to many in the current day HMRC, would you have remained committed?
HMRC should include interest charges on the repayment. They have withheld money.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/02/edinburgh-fringe-artists-owed-up-to-16k-each-amid-venues-dispute-with-hmrc
These people make me sick. It's time to drain the swamp.
Delete@13.56
DeleteThis has nothing to do with HMRC. It is the owners of the venue who owe the money to the artists.
@13:06 and @16:07
DeletePardon me for butting in, but as an accountant who actually deals with HMRC, they make me sick whatever.
Feel free to butt in.
DeleteIf your work leaves you feeling sick you could always try getting a proper job.
@11:06 What's a proper job? You'd been in a funny place without my money. Those benefits don't pay for themselves.
Delete@12:07 True. But the idle socialists will never be grateful for their handouts. Entitled, embittered people
DeleteNever claimed a benefit in my life, my dear old gammon thing.
Delete"You'd been in a funny place" - all that money Daddy spent on your private education seems to have been somewhat wasted.
@12:38 I thought you were the ex Customs/HMRC little chappie who frequently comments on this site. Those places are, in essence, benefits for the otherwise unemployable.
DeleteYou mean former employees of HMRC post on a site about HMRC.
ReplyDeleteWow, my mind is blown!
Yes, I'm sure all the people on the graduate entry scheme are "otherwise unemployable". Just like everyone who went to state school has a low IQ and is clinically obese.
Please promise never to stop posting on here, you're absolute comic gold.
I am disgusted by HMRC. No integrity.
ReplyDeleteIn what way? Please expand instead of making a sweeping statement that implies no one has any integrity at all. Are you Joe Biden?
DeleteI agree. HMRC have no shame. I expect there'll be the usual HMRC apologist along soon...
DeleteTo be honest, they make me sick. I hate paying them so much tax money just to waste. Horrid people
DeleteOnly a tiny amount of the tax you pay goes directly to HMRC.
DeleteHMRC is not responsible for government expenditure.
Another great post!
I think they might be trying to say that's there's A LOT of mentally sick and corrupt HMRC people inflicting misery on others inside and outside HMRC
ReplyDeleteMentally sick, blah, blah, blah.
DeleteCorrupt, blah, blah, blah.
Inflicting misery, blah, blah, blah.
Change the bleeding record you whiney snowflake.
It might all be "blah" to you, but as an accountant who actually has to deal with those insufferable people, I'm concerned to read comments such as the above. It chimes with my own experiences and those of the majority of others in my profession.
DeleteIf you don't think it's all 'blah' then you'll have no problem giving us actual examples of the mental sickness and corruption.
DeleteNo hype, no deflection, no blah, blah, blah - actual examples.
They certainly don't make IT systems like they used too. Yet another apology.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/hmrc-issues-apology-customers-closes-30354542
I wonder why. They don't have the staff or the expertise I imagine. Christmas comes early if you're a serious tax avoider. Easier to just go after Pete The Plumber isn't it and waffle on about investing 50 million into compliance recruitment. Staff that take years to train to a competent level.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cityam.com/hmrc-probes-into-serious-tax-fraud-and-avoidance-fall-to-lowest-level-in-six-years/
The reps concerned might have other jobs now, they've got bills to pay. Would you be an unpaid rep in Benton Park View?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce89engkp93o
They're putting settlement on 'pause', that's good of them. Anyone would think that HMRC don't want the bad press. I'm sure that'll bring relief to the families of the people that have took their own lives because of it as well, having to spend another Christmas without them.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.computerweekly.com/news/366615543/HMRC-puts-Loan-Charge-settlements-on-pause-by-request-until-independent-review-concludes
I'm more concerned that the staff in Portsmouth have some stability about their jobs, than back slapping HMRC PR statements. What's it been now, almost ten years of this bullshit?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.constructionenquirer.com/2024/11/15/green-light-for-new-45m-tax-office-in-portsmouth/