Call 1994 | Silk 2014
"His written work is excellent and he is very kind so clients trust him. He is also very detailed, his drafting is good, and in his advocacy he is very precise with his language and he is very persuasive."
Chambers & Partners
Oliver Duane
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3779
Click here to email
Jamie Thomas
Team Leader Assistant
+44 (0)20 3873 6851
Click here to email
Adam Tolley KC has a wide-ranging practice, specialising in commercial litigation, employment law and tax. His cases often involve issues which require cross-disciplinary expertise, including judicial review.
He appears regularly in a variety of Courts and Tribunals, including the Court of Appeal, the High Court (including the Commercial Court, Technology and Construction Court and Administrative Court), the Employment Appeal Tribunal and Employment Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal and First Tier Tribunal (Tax).
Adam has substantial experience of independent investigations. His report to the Prime Minister of an investigation into the conduct of the then Deputy Prime Minister was published in April 2023. He has carried out numerous confidential investigations in a variety of factual contexts (including legal and media businesses and listed companies).
Adam’s commercial practice covers the whole range of commercial litigation, including particular experience in contractual disputes, banking, financial services and professional negligence. His recent work includes disputes about the provision of higher education and the termination of PFI contracts.
His employment practice encompasses both High Court and Employment Tribunal litigation. He has particular specialisations in issues of post-termination restrictions and confidentiality and, in relation to ET litigation, equal pay, discrimination and whistleblowing claims, as well as statutory rights (especially National Minimum Wage and annual leave) and employee/worker status.
Adam’s tax work covers a variety of areas, including employment, residence/domicile and IPT. He has extensive experience in relation to IR35, employment agencies / businesses and employment status generally. His experience includes judicial review, challenges to tax avoidance arrangements more generally and the operation of the GAAR, claims to recover overpaid tax and double-taxation treaties.
In addition, Adam undertakes work in the fields of privacy and data protection.
Investigation re complaints about the then Deputy Prime Minister
Appointed by the Prime Minister to investigate conduct complaints made against the then Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP. Report published in April 2023.
JSS v Kent Police
Acting for the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner in TCC proceedings arising from the termination of a PFI contract relating to the headquarters of Kent Police. Trial listed for January 2026.
Artcrafts v MOU [2025] FSR 1
Acting for the licensee of ‘Mou’ brand footwear in a KBD contractual dispute with the licensor. Application for interim injunction, declaration and part-summary judgment recently determined in Artcrafts’ favour.
Groom v MCA
Acting for the MCA in an appeal to the Court of Appeal about the ‘worker’ status of volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers. Appeal listed November 2025.
Frederiksen v HMRC [2025] UKFTT 854
Acting for the Appellant in an FTT appeal to recover overpaid IPT arising out of the liquidation of two Danish insurance businesses. Procedural dispute as to redaction of confidential material and operation of ‘collateral use’ principle in FTT.
Latchworth v HSBC
Acting for the claimant in proceedings involving the question of the bank’s responsibility for fraud perpetrated on customer. Settled on confidential terms.
Scarborough Group v Lloyds and BoS
Acting for the claimant in a LIBOR manipulation fraud claim which settled on confidential terms.
Royle v BoS
Acting for the bank in defence of proceedings involving allegations of malicious presentation of a bankruptcy petition. Settled on confidential terms.
Zibandeh–Khoy v RBS
Acting for the bank in defence of claims of race discrimination concerning the closure of bank accounts and the application of the international sanctions regime against Iran. Settled on confidential terms.
BCT v Scotland & Reast [2014] Bus LR 1079
Representing insurer in Court of Appeal decision as to the attribution of responsibility in ‘unfair relationship’ claims under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards
Acting as counsel to the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards, with particular reference to the Sub-Panel on Mis-Selling and Cross-Selling.
JSS v Kent Police
Acting for the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner in TCC proceedings arising from the termination of a PFI contract relating to the headquarters of Kent Police. Trial listed for January 2026.
Artcrafts v MOU [2025] FSR 1
Acting for the licensee of ‘Mou’ brand footwear in a contractual dispute with the licensor. Application for interim injunction, declaration and part-summary judgment recently determined in Artcrafts’ favour.
Bloomsbury Institute v University of Wrexham
Acting for the Bloomsbury Institute in proceedings arising from the termination of a ‘franchise’ contract for the provision of higher education. Claim settled following mediation.
PA(GI) v CISEL [2023] EHWC 1370 (Comm)
Acted for the defendant in a Commercial Court claim based on contractual indemnities in the context of PPI mis-selling.
AB v XY
Acting for the claimant in an action for breach of fiduciary duty and bribery to recover commissions obtained by defendant energy broker from energy suppliers. Settled on confidential terms (including as to publication of the names of the parties).
Adam has been described in Chambers & Partners’ UK Bar Guide as “an encyclopaedia of employment law.”
Investigation re complaints about the then Deputy Prime Minister
Appointed by the Prime Minister to investigate conduct complaints made against the then Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP. Report published in April 2023.
Groom v MCA
Acting for the MCA in an appeal to the Court of Appeal about the ‘worker’ status of volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers. Appeal listed November 2025.
Fiat Republic v Parody Studios
Acted for the defendants in a claim concerning allegations of breach of post-termination restrictions and misuse of confidential information. Settled before speedy trial.
Clark v Chief Constables and Home Secretary [2024] ICR 1147 CA
Acted for the Home Secretary in an appeal to the Court of Appeal about alleged disability discrimination arising from a work-related injury benefit scheme.
Mojela v Canmart [2023] EWHC 2668 (Ch)
Acting for defendants in contractual High Court claims arising from ‘with cause’ termination of claimant’s position of director/employee. Summary judgment application successfully resisted.
Atholl House v HMRC [2022] ICR 1059 CA
Acted for HMRC in leading case as to the test for employment status and the application of IR35, in the context of a well-known radio presenter.
Greene King v HMRC
Acted for a business in a successful challenge to National Minimum Wage enforcement notices, and the scope of the ‘living accommodation’ exception.
Lock v British Gas [2016] ICR 503
Acted on behalf of central government in litigation about commission and holiday pay.
Day v HRH The Prince of Wales
Acted for the respondent in the successful defence of tribunal proceedings alleging race and sex discrimination.
Aziz v Forte, St James’s Place, DWFM Beckman
Acting for the claimant in claims against former financial advisers and solicitors arising out of investment advice following receipt of divorce settlement.
Hardinge v St James’s Place
Acted for the claimant in proceedings concerned with obtaining enhanced protection for the lifetime allowance in relation to pensions.
Bindley v Cripps
Acted for the claimant in a claim against solicitors for negligent drafting of company articles, leading to loss of value of shares on termination of employment.
Isaacs v Marks
Acted for the defendant in a claim arising out of advice concerning participation in a tax avoidance scheme.
Zeon Consulting v PIFC
Acted for the defendant in a claim concerning management of a pension scheme.
Frederiksen v HMRC [2025] UKFTT 854
Acting for the Appellant in an FTT appeal to recover overpaid IPT. Procedural dispute as to redaction of confidential material and operation of ‘collateral use’ principle in FTT.
Bilfinger; Aramark; Odfjell; Wood v HMRC
Acting for HMRC in appeal concerned with a tax avoidance scheme to provide tax-free benefits to director-employees. Issues included the first FTT consideration of the GAAR. Judgment pending.
Exchequer Solutions v HMRC [2024] STC 271
Acted for HMRC in UT appeal about deductibility of travel and subsistence expenses. Issue as to existence of overarching contract of employment of series of individual assignments.
Wired Orthodontics v HMRC [2023] STI 96
Acted for HMRC in appeal concerned with a tax avoidance scheme to provide tax-free benefits to director-employees. Issues included the first FTT consideration of the GAAR.
Atholl House v HMRC [2022] 4 All ER 461 CA
Acted for HMRC in leading case as to the application of IR35, in the context of a well-known radio presenter.
Tax Returned v HMRC
Acting for HMRC in judicial review proceedings relating to HMRC’s dealings with High Volume Repayment Agents.
Reed Employment v HMRC [2015] STC 2518 - CA
Acted (with Malcolm Gammie KC) in appeal to Court of Appeal regarding salary sacrifice and deductibility of home-to-work travel expenses for temporary employees.
Fountain Court congratulates Adam Tolley KC on his shortlisting for Senior Counsel…
The report of Adam Tolley KC to the Prime Minister on formal…
Adam Tolley KC has been appointed by the Prime Minister to investigate…
Oliver Duane
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3779
Click here to email
Jamie Thomas
Team Leader Assistant
+44 (0)20 3873 6851
Click here to email
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