Georgia’s areas of practice are employment, tax, and sports law. She regularly appears in the Employment Tribunal, First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber), EAT and Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber).
Georgia is an accomplished advocate, the quality of which is reflected in the numerous prizes she has received from her Inns of Court and elsewhere, including the James Hunt prize for best advocate in her year. She often receives plaudits for her thorough preparation and attention to detail.
In 2017 she was appointed to the Attorney General's Panel of Counsel (C Panel).
Possesses a thorough understanding of a broad array of employment law issues. She is an expert in claims of discrimination or unfair dismissal, as well as cases with tax elements. "She is thorough, has a quick and excellent grasp of the issues and a great manner with clients." Successfully acted for the respondent in Guray v William Hill, a case of automatic unfair dismissal and pregnancy and maternity discrimination. - Employment, Chambers UK Bar 2021
A rising junior with strong expertise in employment taxes. She frequently represents clients in the sports and media industry in matters involving income tax, IR35 and NI contributions. Hicks is also experienced in acting for the Revenue. "Bright and really capable." "She is very articulate." Acted in Christa Ackroyd Media v HMRC, an IR35 tax case. - Tax, Chambers UK Bar 2021
‘Really hardworking, well prepared and persuasive. Doesn't leave a stone unturned.’ - Employment, Legal 500 2021
‘A very articulate advocate in court.’ - Tax: VAT, Legal 500 2021
"She is adept at getting her head around complex multifaceted claims and in distilling the issues in a case." Acted for the taxpayer in Professional Game Match Officials Ltd v HMRC, which concerned the tax treatment and employment status of football referees. - Tax, Chambers UK 2020
‘She makes a real contribution to a case team and is highly rated as an advocate.’ - Tax: VAT, Legal 500 2020
"She is becoming a notable practitioner in tax litigation." - Tax: VAT, Legal 500 2020
Georgia has a strong practice in tax litigation, regularly receiving instructions from both HMRC and the taxpayer, in First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal as well as in JR cases. Her main areas of specialism are employment tax, residency and domicile - she is particularly strong in the employment / tax cross-over and the IR35 intermediaries legislation.
IR35
Taxation of Employees
DOTAS Cases
Judicial Review (Tax)
Residency / Domicile
Georgia is regularly instructed in domicile and residency cases, including the following:
Indirect Tax
Georgia has a strong and diverse practice in employment law. She has significant experience representing clients in Employment Tribunals, including multiple-day hearings in whistleblowing and discrimination claims, as well as in the EAT. Georgia represents both claimants and respondents from both the private side (including some well-known brands) and the public side, regularly appearing for the Treasury Solicitors and the Metropolitan Police. In addition to her advocacy work, Georgia also has extensive advisory experience, developing a particular specialism in employment status– an area in which her experience in the tax field is invaluable.
Georgia assisted with the most recent edition of Discrimination Law (Bloomsbury Professional), contributing to chapters on Discrimination in Education, Discrimination in the Provision of Goods and Services, Discrimination in the Provision of Premises and Housing, Discrimination in Clubs and Associations, and Exemptions. She is appointed to the Attorney General's Panel of Counsel (C Panel).
Tribunal cases include:-
EAT
Employment Status
Discrimination and Harassment
Breach of Contract
Unfair Dismissal
Whistleblowing
Unlawful Deduction of Wages and Human Trafficking
Redundancy and Unfair Dismissal
Georgia is forging a practice in sports law and accepts instructions in all aspects, including taxation, disciplinary matters, discrimination, employment, personal injury, and contractual disputes. She has led cases in her own right, including advising a firm of solicitors on how to issue proceedings abroad against a footballer, based in the Netherlands, now playing for a Russian club.
Georgia has appeared in a number of important and high-profile employment tax cases in the sports sector. She was led by Jolyon Maugham QC in Tottenham Hotspur v HMRC (FTT and UT), which determined that payments made to players on their transfer to Stoke City FC were not “from employment” within the meaning of s.62 Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003. She represented a sports radio host in his successful IR35 appeal (Kickabout Productions Ltd v HMRC). And she represented the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd in their appeal against assessments for income tax and national insurance contributions (also led), successfully persuading the FTT that referees were not employees (PGMOL v HMRC). HMRC's appeal to the Upper Tribunal is due to be heard in 2020.
Georgia is gaining a reputation as one of the leading juniors in matters relating to employment status and IR35.
Recent cases include:
Georgia is ranked as an ‘Up and Coming’ tax junior in Chambers UK 2020: "She is adept at getting her head around complex multifaceted claims and in distilling the issues in a case." "She is becoming a notable practitioner in tax litigation." - Legal 500 2019
ELA, FRU, ELBA, COMBAR, RBA, PNBA, PIBA, IFS
James Hunt Scholar (Advocacy) - Gray’s Inn
Ede and Ravenscroft Scholar (Advocacy) - Gray’s Inn
Birkenhead Scholar (Academic) - Gray’s Inn
David Karmel Scholar (Academic) - Gray’s Inn
The Norman Tapp Memorial Prize for Excellence in Mooting - Gray’s Inn
LawWorks & Attorney General Student Award, Best New Student Pro Bono Activity for Vocalise
Appointed to the Attorney General's Panel of Counsel (C Panel) in 2017
University of Oxford, BA (Hons) English Language and Literature (First Class)
City University GDL (Distinction)
City University London BPTC (Very Competent)