Jivaan Bennett
Jivaan accepts instructions across all areas of Chambers’ expertise with a particular focus on international tax law issues, tax-related corporate disputes (such as tax warranty and indemnity claims and other post-completion claims) and tax issues arising in the sports and entertainment industries. Jivaan is recognised for combining technical rigour with a strong commercial focus. He works seamlessly with those instructing him, leveraging his tax advisor and solicitor background to anticipate client needs, coordinate strategy, and deliver practical, outcome-driven advice.
Jivaan began his career with PwC Trinidad and Tobago (where he managed a regional tax disputes portfolio) before moving to London and joining Band-1 rated boutique tax disputes firm Joseph Hage Aaronson. He later qualified as a solicitor at Linklaters, where he spent almost a decade advising on tax issues in high-value M&A and corporate finance transactions as well as advising on corporate and tax disputes.
He offers a rare combination of almost 15 years’ experience, gained both in the UK and internationally, advising on the tax aspects of corporate and commercial transactions, tax disputes and tax-related corporate disputes (both litigation and arbitration). His background as a tax advisor, a solicitor at a Magic Circle firm and now as a barrister makes him particularly effective at working in partnership with instructing solicitors, in-house counsel and tax advisors on high-stakes matters.
As a solicitor, Jivaan has advised on:
• Commercial and Tax litigation, investigations and arbitration – acting on disputes arising from tax assessments, warranties and indemnity claims, and regulatory investigations.
• Major corporate transactions – including M&A, reorganisations and financings with significant tax implications.
Notably, he was part of the team of solicitors that represented Scottish Power throughout its multi-stage appeal (FTT, UT and Court of Appeal) against corporation tax assessments linked to settlement payments made in the context of a regulatory investigation. This and other matters showcase his ability to navigate disputes from first principles through to appellate courts.
Beyond his UK practice, Jivaan has extensive experience across the Commonwealth Caribbean. At Linklaters, he founded and led the firm’s Caribbean Group. He has experience advising corporates on tax structuring of their investments into the Caribbean and assisting with the resolution of tax investigations by Caribbean tax authorities. Separate to his corporate and private client work, Jivaan has previously advised the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and various Government departments in the Caribbean on tax and legal policy as well as the drafting of legislation. This gives him a breadth of commercial and tax expertise that is particularly valuable where matters cut across multiple jurisdictions as well as a clear understanding of the issues under current scrutiny by Caribbean tax authorities.
Thought Leadership
Jivaan regularly publishes and speaks on contentious tax, commercial disputes, and cross-border tax issues in the UK and the Commonwealth Caribbean and is involved in judicial training on selected commercial law matters in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jivaan has been a visiting lecturer on the LLM International Tax Law programme at King’s College London since 2016. He frequently participates in public panel debates, lectures, as well client-focused internal roundtable sessions. He is available to deliver client seminars on request.
Availability
Jivaan welcomes enquiries from solicitors and tax advisors on both contentious and non-contentious tax and corporate matters. He is open to an initial no-fee discussion to scope potential instructions.
Additional Information
Privacy Notice
View All Members >