The Arctic judgment is 'common sense', an adviser closely associated with the Arctic Systems case has said.

Speaking outside the House of Lords, where a judgment in the Joneses favour was delivered this morning, Anne Redston of the CIoT, who has been following the case more closely than almost any other adviser, said she was 'delighted': 'The Lords have seen common sense, and good judgment has prevailed. The only disappointment is that it has taken so long and created so much uncertainty.'

Keith Gordon, who represented the Joneses, said: 'The judgment is clearly good news for the Joneses and the hundreds of thousands of couples who work in family owned businesses.

'At each stage Mr and Mrs Jones could have just paid the tax demanded and thrown in the towel. However, they decided to stick to their guns and stood up for family owned companies.'

Further reading:

Taxpayers celebrate epic Arctic Systems victory