Review of the year 2023:
The Chambers of Julian Hunt has represented many local taxpayers and landlords over the past year.
We have had three cases reported and several other Tribunal and Valuation Tribunal decisions along with continuing our very large advisory practice.
As ever some cases settle before trial. Some taxpayers seek advice and some landlords, especially large HMO /student / corporate landlords, seek our continuing advice on an ad hoc basis.
Themes we have seen over the past year include the repeated pitiable understanding by Councils over the actual council tax rules they administer, entirely unjustified decisions not to suspend recovery pending appeals and a complete lack of any actual analysis or engagement in trying to come to a reasonable settlement or worse still no response at all.
We are also seeing more holiday let business rate / council tax cases coming to us for advice along with vast numbers of Civil Penalty Notice cases and RRO cases. As property licensing marches onwards we continue to expect to advise in this area on breaches, compliance and terms of licences.
We maintain a criminal and regulatory practice and been instructed in a number serious trials this year in cases ranging from sex to dangerous driving allegations with horrific implications if convicted. We are always advising on criminal and regulatory 2 breaches and are proud of our record. We also advise on arrest record deletions and for many years have represented motorist in road traffic cases.
We continue to represent in another niche. We represent students in appeals and misconduct hearings. Matters range from failed exams appeals to serious sexual allegations. This is hard work which we have done for many years, We have had clients from all over the world and many are now not based in the UK but come to us through word of mouth for counsel.
The Chambers is managed by the indispensable Josh Hill, a SOAS First Class Law graduate, who helps with paralegal work and general administration. Zane Cohen must also be thanked for his great help in the financial management of the business. As you can tell we really don’t have a fancy marketing budget but who needs that anyway?
Julian Hunt, Chambers head, says:
“This year we celebrated ten years in business. Where did it go? Ten years assisting and helping the community as best as we can. We are proud of our work and wish you a merry Christmas. We really don’t care who you are or what you’ve done. We give advice. We represent. That’s all, folks!