Taxation logo taxation mission text

Since 1927 the leading authority on tax law, practice and administration

Adding Pepper

03 November 2009 / Ximena Montes Manzano
Issue: 4230 / Categories: Comment & Analysis , Admin , Income Tax
You don’t agree with HMRC’s interpretation of the tax law? XIMENA MONTES MANZANO explains when the principle that was established in Pepper v Hart can be applied

KEY POINTS

  • The facts of the Pepper v Hart case.
  • The Lords’ examination of the Finance Bill debates.
  • Three underlying principles that must exist for Hansard material to be relevant.
  • The restrictions on the decision.
  • The principle can also apply ‘out of court’.

The tax case of Pepper v Hart [1992] STC 898 made legal history by overturning a former rule of law that was made by judges and probably dated back to 1769 which prohibited the reference to parliamentary debates as an aid to statutory interpretation or construction.

This rule was known as the ‘exclusionary rule’ and prevented the courts from looking into discussions about a particular bill of law before it was passed in order to interpret ambiguous wording in favour of any party to litigation.

This article revisits the...

If you or your firm subscribes to Taxation.co.uk, please click the login box below:

If you are not a subscriber but are a registered user or have a free trial, please enter your details in the following boxes:

Alternatively, you can register free of charge to read a limited amount of subscriber content per month.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email directing you back to read this item in full.

Please reach out to customer services at +44 (0) 330 161 1234 or 'customer.services@lexisnexis.co.uk' for further assistance.

back to top icon