Taxation logo taxation mission text

Since 1927 the leading authority on tax law, practice and administration

Rattling the cage

11 October 2011 / James Kessler
Issue: 4325 / Categories: Comment & Analysis , Admin
HMRC skeleton arguments are a valuable resource and should be available to the public. JAMES KESSLER QC explains why

KEY POINTS

  • Value of skeleton arguments.
  • Public access to arguments.
  • National security.

When any case is argued in court or in the tax tribunal each side produces its ‘skeleton argument’. The skeleton argument is a vital document and prepared with great care. The original idea as the name suggests was that a skeleton should be just a short outline ‘stated’ as the practice direction puts it ‘as concisely as the nature of the case allows’.

Skeleton arguments were not intended to become full written briefs. But the practice direction allows some flexibility and most advocates think it better to put a...

If you or your firm subscribes to Taxation.co.uk, please click the login box below:

If you are not a subscriber but are a registered user or have a free trial, please enter your details in the following boxes:

Alternatively, you can register free of charge to read a limited amount of subscriber content per month.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email directing you back to read this item in full.
back to top icon