header-logo header-logo

14 April 2016 / David Greene
Issue: 7694 / Categories: Opinion , Tax
printer mail-detail

Avoidance or evasion?

001_nlj_7694_greene

David Greene wonders what will flow from the Panama revelations for lawyers?

Many moons ago when I took the Chartered Institute of Taxation exams (never could get my head round VAT) the difference between evasion and avoidance was drummed into you. Strangely, there remains utter confusion over the difference between the two words by people who should be able to differentiate, as each has been called upon to comment upon David Cameron’s financial and fiscal connections with Panama in the past week. As I write, Cameron is standing up in the Commons to defend himself and answer the House’s questions on his affairs. There may be many moral and political questions over his conduct but in law at least he has done nothing wrong.

Canal journey

Home to a one-time errant canoeist, Panama does not otherwise generally feature on the radar of the average Person on the Clapham Omnibus, save to think of the eponymous canal and, perhaps, its recent drug-torn violent history. It’s only 25 years since the US invaded the country to put

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Shakespeare Martineau—David Vaughan

Shakespeare Martineau—David Vaughan

Shakespeare Martineau appoints new London office head as firm continues investment in capital

Browne Jacobson—Kevin Moore

Browne Jacobson—Kevin Moore

Browne Jacobson strengthens All-Island life sciences platform with appointment of leading Galway MedTech lawyer

Clarke Willmott—Latitude Law

Clarke Willmott—Latitude Law

National law firm strengthens commercial offering with acquisition of leading immigration practice

NEWS
Mr Justice Nicklin’s decision to order costs on an indemnity basis may be a ‘significant win’ but it’s still ‘far from game, set and match’ for Associated Newspapers, a former costs judge has said
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners
back-to-top-scroll