His advice helped J.K. Rowling to maximise her £820 million fortune, but literary agent Neil Blair is now involved in a High Court battle over advice he received.
I can disclose that Blair is suing a law firm for £2 million, alleging it advised him to invest in a tax avoidance scheme even though it should have known it would later fall foul of Government rules.
Fieldfisher claims that he was able to offset losses from income under the Ingenious tax avoidance scheme, created by the investment management firm Ingenious. Ingenious is also Fieldfisher’s client.
His advice helped J.K. Rowling (pictured) to maximise her £820 million fortune, but literary agent Neil Blair is suing law firm Fieldfisher for £2 million over advice he received
HMRC, along with other well-known figures like David Beckham, decided that these schemes were tax evasion. This led to large tax bills for hundreds.
Fieldfisher was deemed to have failed to demonstrate the competence, skill, and diligence that reasonable solicitors would expect.
The company added: “It negligently and in violation of its contractual or common law obligations’ to the business, Blair Partnership.
Blair was Rowling’s agent when she left Christopher Little (her long-term business partner) in 2011.
Blair, pictured November 2016, alleges that Fieldfisher told him to put his money into a tax-evasion scheme even though he should have known it would be in violation of government rules
Blair quit Little’s firm to create his agency.
It was recently revealed that Little, who died earlier this year aged 79, was paid £10 million compensation after he was forced out of the Harry Potter franchise.
According to a spokesperson for Blair Partnership, he said that it was suggested at the time that Mr Blair could invest in this way.
All tax due was paid. J.K. Rowling has not been involved.
FOOTWEAR Awarded NICKY IS A SHOE INSIDE
Nicky Hilton, the hotel heiress and pro at putting her best foot forward is no joke.
Invited to the ‘Shoe Oscars’, she made sure everyone noticed her £907 silver Mach & Mach pumps by wearing a daring thigh-split dress by Prabal Gurung that cost £3,000.
Invited to the ‘Shoe Oscars’, Nicky Hilton (pictured with her husband James) made sure everyone noticed her £907 silver Mach & Mach pumps by wearing a daring thigh-split dress
“Tis the season for sparkle,” Nicky (38), said. She was there to support Kathy who won the Icon prize at the Footwear News Achievement Awards.
James Rothschild, a British bank scion and Nicky’s husband was also there.
Five years ago, George Michael was the last Christmas singer. He still adds festive cheer to his neighborhood.
Wham! The Wham!
And Chris Underhill, whose estate agent firm is organising this year’s £16,000 lights, says: ‘George Michael was our secret benefactor for many years, and he loved the Christmas lights.
“Fortunately, his estate continues support us even after he dies.”
SANTA SOPHIE SPREADING CHRISTMAS CHEER
The The Royal Family might seem to be in trouble at the moment but the Countess de Wessex wants to cheer up Advent.
Yesterday, Sophie was dressed in a Father Christmas red hairband and party blewer at a Surrey Disability Initiative.
The Royal Family may seem beset with problems, but the Countess of Wessex was determined to spread some Advent cheer during her visit to a Disability Initiative in Surrey yesterday
Sophie was dressed in a Father Christmas red hairband. Sophie shared a joke in Camberley with the clients.
Prince Edward, 56 years old, was dressed in a navy blue sweater with a white ruffled top underneath. His wife also joined in making chocolate wreaths and sculptures.
BERCOW THE FEMINIST ICON
You thought you had heard all of John Bercow, the Brexit-hating ex-Commons Speaker?
He’s now being promoted as a feminist spokesman.
Deborah Frances White, also known as The Guilty Feminist, and ‘The Squeaker,’ as he was called by critics will present a podcast together.
Bercow is going to teach her “how to use power for the good”. It’s interesting to see what the Commons staff thinks of this.
Following an alleged bullying campaign, he is accused of having left his female secretary with PTSD. Bercow denied any allegations of bullying.
BIGGINS’S DAMECAREER? IT’S BEHIND YOUR HEART
These are Are panto dames doomed to failure in this politically correct era? Yes they are. Veteran Christopher Biggins says so.
Grove Square Galleries, London, held a charity auction to sell a portrait of Marchioness of Bath.
Christopher Biggins (pictured), who plays a dame in Jack And The Beanstalk, said panto dames are doomed as there will come a time when a dame will ‘have to be played by a woman’
An actress used to play the principal boy in pantomimes, but this tradition is largely overthrown.
Biggins, 72 years old, said that Jack And The Beanstalk is a ridiculous story.
Benedict Cumberbatch says, “I love cats but it’s like living with supermodels.” They are beautiful, and I find them fascinating.
‘There’s a little bit of fear involved — whereas dogs are a bit more dopey.’
Playing Wain (19th-century painter, known for large-eyed cat paintings), is clearly an issue for Sherlock.