Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s contentious tax team works within the firm’s full-service offering and has expertise in the full range of tax disputes. The group is active on behalf of prominent domestic and multinational clients and is experienced in key areas such as tax fraud and negligence. Department head Nick Clayton is a solicitor advocate and CEDR-accredited mediator who acts for financial institutions, corporates, and UHNWIs. Clayton is highly experienced in international tax matters, with expertise in both investigations and disputes. Michael Hunt advises on tax disputes across a range of sectors, including banking, energy, real estate and technology, and has experience at the First-Tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, and Court of Appeal. Senior associate Dawen Gao is described as ‘exceptional’ by clients.

Boutique contentious tax firm Joseph Hage Aaronson LLP is well known for its expertise in complex domestic and cross-border tax disputes, including litigation, arbitration, and investigations. The department is jointly led by founding partners Michael Anderson, a highly experienced litigator with a specialism in the taxation of cryptocurrencies, and Graham Aaronson KC, who has expertise in transfer pricing, oil and gas taxation, and EU law. Also key are Simon Whitehead, who has over 35 years’ litigation experience, Paul Farmer, who has a broad background in European and international tax law, and Iain MacWhannell, who acts for a diverse and high profile client base of individuals, businesses, and trusts. Solicitor and chartered tax advisor Helen McGhee and Daniel Margolin KC are further core team members.

The ‘gold standard in tax litigation’, Slaughter and May is prominent in the full scope of contentious tax, including transfer pricing, diverted profits tax, and tax residence matters. The ‘very strong’ team benefits from a deep relationship with HMRC, significantly aiding in dispute resolution. Richard Jeens, who is experienced in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes, co-leads the department alongside Dominic Robertson, whose practice includes EU tax state aid investigations as well as transfer pricing and DPT enquiries. Ewan Brown co-heads the global investigations group and acts in both litigation and regulatory investigations. Mike Lane advises domestic and international clients on a range of contentious matters. Sarah Osprey made partner in May 2023 and advises major multinational clients in a diverse range of tax matters. Steve Edge retired from the practice in May 2022.

Allen & Overy LLP's large team works alongside the firm's non-contentious offering, and provides comprehensive support in all areas of tax disputes, including pre-litigation advice, negotiations with HMRC, and tax investigations. Chris Harrison co-leads the department alongside Charles Yorke, who regularly acts for financial institutions, major oil companies, and infrastructure groups. Senior partner Lydia Challen advises on supply chain finance, and regularly consults with HMRC on the development of tax legislation. Eve Giles is a key contact for financial crime investigations.

Ashurst‘s disputes practice is active at all levels of the Tax Courts, including the Supreme Court and The Court of Justice of the European Union. The group represents numerous prominent clients, including both public and private groups. Team lead Nicholas Gardner covers both direct and indirect tax litigation, and is described by clients as ‘a deep thinker with unparalleled analytical ability.‘ Paul Miller has expertise in the financial services industry. Senior associate Sara Mardell has experience in VAT and national insurance disputes, in addition to judicial review claims.

Baker McKenzie‘s multidisciplinary team of lawyers, economists, and accountants supports clients through the development of complex multijurisdictional disputes and is regarded as ‘proactive in looking for solutions.’ Jointly leading the team are Jessica Eden, David Jamieson, and Nigel Dolman. Eden leads on corporate tax disputes, and is a CEDR accredited mediator, while Jamieson handles VAT disputes, and Dolman spearheads transfer pricing matters. Also key are Patrick O’Gara, who specialises in the digital, consumer goods, and pharma sectors, and Jukka Karjalainen, who co-leads the transfer pricing practice.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner‘s ‘great, experienced team’ acts for an international client list on a diverse range of matters, including both criminal and civil investigations and defence work. Global tax head Elizabeth Bradley co-leads the group alongside contentious tax specialist Kate Ison, whose experience covers VAT disputes, compliance issues, and corporate internal investigations. Alan Sinyor has expertise in the VAT area and advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Associate Wesley Grimm joined in July 2022 from Webber Wentzel.

Clifford Chance LLP has notable strength in international and cross border tax investigations, which draws a client list which includes a range of leading banks. The group is jointly led by Chris Davies, who was formerly the firm’s Global Head of Tax, and David Harkness, who offers over 30 years of experience in the area. David Saleh advises high profile clients on tax disputes, tax compliance, and tax controversies and also has a special focus on real estate tax.

DLA Piper‘s team works alongside the firm’s international network to support clients facing audits and disputes across the globe. The department has experience at all levels of the UK courts. Team lead Jason Collins, who is perceived as ‘a leader in tax dispute resolution‘, has a practice which includes transfer pricing, double tax treaties, and diverted profits tax. Stuart Walsh has particular expertise in VAT matters, frequently working closely in this area with legal director Clara Boyd, who is ‘very knowledgeable and easy to communicate with.’ Senior associate Lauren Redhead is experienced in both direct and indirect tax disputes.

Fieldfisher‘s growing team of ‘excellent’ lawyers covers the full range of contentious tax, including tax disclosures, Tribunal litigation, judicial reviews, and professional negligence. The group is highly international, and contains multiple HMRC-trained practitioners. Team lead George Gillham, who is a former HMRC tax inspector, covers both tax enquiries and litigation. Derek Hill, who is head of the firm’s tax group, has a broad practice which covers both contentious and non-contentious matters. Barrister Philippe Freund has expertise in cross border matters and criminal tax. Matthew Sharp specialises in employment tax disputes. Associate and barrister Christopher Kientzler is a further name to note.

KPMG Law‘s ‘unmatched’ team of tax dispute specialists acts on cutting-edge work for high-profile clients such as HSBC, Lloyds, and the United Grand Lodge of England. Matthew Fleming, who is qualified in both the UK and New Zealand, leads on indirect tax disputes. Angela Savin heads the direct taxes disputes practice and has notable strength in advising taxpayers in main purpose tax disputes with HMRC. The ‘exceptional’ Amanda Brown KC advises and represents clients in a broad range of matters. Director Colette Van Zyl advises on all aspects of indirect tax litigation.

‘One of the most professional and respected tax litigation teams in the market’, the Macfarlanes LLP team provides comprehensive support, with expertise in both direct and indirect tax disputes. Lead partner Gideon Sanitt has experience at all levels of the UK and European Courts and acts for both high-profile individuals and corporate clients. Sanitt is supported by senior counsel Ben Webster, who is a solicitor advocate with experience in disputes with HMRC, judicial review cases, and disputes between taxpayers. Senior associate Sophie Rhind joined the department from HMRC in 2021 and brings key expertise in judicial review matters.

Pinsent Masons LLP fields a team with considerably broad tax expertise, with coverage of areas such as aggregates levy, landfill tax, and oil and gas taxation. Team lead Steven Porter, who works from Manchester, has a contentious practice which covers matters related to both direct and indirect tax. Andrew Sackey leads on tax fraud investigations work and prior to joining the firm was a Case Controller at the UK’s Serious Fraud Office. Jake Landman is highly experienced in tax litigation. Other core team members include legal director Ian Robotham and associate Sam Wardleworth.

PwC LLP covers the full range of direct and indirect tax disputes, with expertise in investigations, litigation, and out-of-court ADR. Highly experienced partners Mark Whitehouse and David Anderson jointly lead the department. Whitehouse has particular expertise in matters of international taxation, including transfer pricing disputes and EU Group Litigation actions. Anderson specialises in indirect tax disputes, and is praised by clients for his ‘great technical ability’. Director Peter Johnson has key strength in disputes involving international corporate tax and financing structures.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP has core strengths in complex tax and financing disputes and has been seeing growth in private client, regulatory, and professional negligence matters. Team lead Liesl Fichardt is regarded as ‘a consummate litigator’ with a long record in tax, finance, and debt-related investigations and disputes. Epaminontas Triantafilou leads on tax arbitration matters and is experienced acting as arbitrator as well as counsel to both private corporations and sovereign governments. Associate Emily Au is lead contact for multiple HNWI and corporate clients.

RPC offers a full-service tax disputes practice with expertise in the full range of areas, from dawn raids and criminal investigations to tax litigation and transfer pricing disputes. Department head Adam Craggs has over 30 years’ experience in direct and indirect tax disputes and is an accredited mediator. Robert Waterson‘s practice is focused on multijurisdictional disputes, including those involving issues of public and EU law. Michelle Sloane advises on both civil and criminal tax matters, with experience at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Senior associate Harry Smith has broad sector expertise and advises on both domestic and international tax matters.

Simmons & Simmons‘ multidisciplinary team, which boasts ‘a wealth of experience and expertise’, acts for prominent corporate, institutional, and high net worth clients on a broad range of matters. The department includes a dedicated transfer pricing team. Global contentious tax head Nick Skerrett leads the department, and is described as ‘the expert in the field of VAT litigation.’ Monique van Herksen, who is based between London and Amsterdam, specialises in transfer pricing. Newly promoted partner Heather Rowlands has key expertise in indirect tax and environmental tax matters as well as judicial reviews.

Bird & Bird LLP advises clients on the full spectrum of contentious tax matters, including investigation projects, alternative dispute resolution, civil litigation, and criminal prosecutions. Team lead Andy Brown specialises in tax avoidance, evasion, and allegations of fraud. Senior associate Chris Young advises corporates and private clients in disputes related to money laundering. The department has seen recent growth at the associate level, with Jennifer Southern joining from HMRC in June 2022, and Caitriona Moran moving from William Fry LLP in September 2022.

Ernst & Young LLP‘s tax team has developed a strong reputation for tax litigation, judicial review, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings with HMRC since its establishment in 2016. Boaz Goren, Mitchell Moss and Julian Balson co-lead. Goren, who made partner in 2021, has experience in tax litigation at all levels of the UK tax courts. Moss leads on indirect tax disputes and has over 20 years’ experience in the practice area. Balson has expertise in tax enquiries and investigations, including both civil and criminal matters. Directors Richard Doran and Elyse Waller are further core team members.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has core expertise in indirect tax disputes, including VAT, APD, IPT, and customs duties, and is experienced working with both UK and international tax authorities. Giles Salmond, who is qualified as a barrister and solicitor advocate, specialises in international tax disputes, particularly indirect tax. Salmond leads the team alongside Ben Jones, who is co-head of global tax within the firm. Senior associate Edward Griffiths is praised for his 'extraordinary attention to detail.'

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s tax disputes offering works within the firm’s larger tax team and provides cross-sector services with key strengths in the technology, insurance, and real estate sectors. European tax disputes head Rupert Shiers leads the team. Shiers has broad tax litigation expertise and acts for both domestic and international clients.

Kingsley Napley LLP fields a team of ‘top-of the-range criminal lawyers’, highly experienced in high profile tax fraud cases, with a record of advising both individuals and corporates. The group has made a significant expansion to its civil tax litigation offering with the recruitment of new team lead Waqar Shah. Shah, who joined from Mishcon de Reya LLP in February 2023, is an ‘outstanding advisor and tactician’ with experience in judicial reviews and litigation from the Tax Tribunal to the Supreme Court. David Sleight is a financial crime expert with expertise in tax investigations.

Mishcon de Reya LLP offers a comprehensive tax disputes service for corporate and private clients, with experience in both mediation and litigation. Team lead Robert Hartley covers direct and indirect taxes and handles both personal taxation matters as well as major transfer pricing enquiries. Leslie Allen, who was formerly department head, has over 35 years’ experience in the practice area and is a leading name in indirect tax litigation. Chartered tax adviser Paul Noble advises on cases relating to tax fraud, tax avoidance, and the disclosure of irregularities.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s tax team has key strength in international tax disputes, such as matters related to tax residence, challenges to international group structures, and the interpretation of double tax treaties. Global head of tax Dominic Stuttaford leads the team and advises domestic and international clients on a diverse range of contentious tax matters. Matthew Hodkin, who is head of the London tax team, advises on disputes with tax authorities, in addition to a broad non-contentious practice. Ruth Cowley has notable expertise in conducting external and internal investigations.

Stewarts Law LLP utilises a broad range of dispute resolution techniques on behalf of clients, including mediation, ADR, and litigation. The group has broad tax expertise, with areas of strength including corporate residence, domicile, and transactions in securities legislation. David Pickstone leads the team and specialises in direct tax, environmental tax, and commercial tax litigation. Matthew Greene joined from Osborne Clarke LLP in June 2023, and has experience representing both corporate and individual clients. Tax director Lisa Vanderheide is a further key name.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP handles a broad range of tax disputes, including international and cross-border matters. Leading the department are private equity expert Oliver Walker, Jenny Doak, who has key experience in indirect tax, Jamie Maples, whose areas of strength include the media, technology, and energy sectors, and solicitor advocate Christopher Marks.

Bark&co is a leading name in criminal tax matters, providing ‘an absolutely gold star service‘ on a broad range of high-profile and high-value fraud cases. The department also has strength in civil litigation, including VAT and excise duty cases. Firm founder and 'brilliant strategist' Giles Bark-Jones handles both criminal and civil matters. Peter Finbow‘s practice is focused on white-collar crime, including a broad range of fraud. Senior solicitor Maria Stalbow is experienced in complex and high profile corruption and fraud cases.

BCL Solicitors LLP has key strength at the intersection of fraud law and tax law, with a record of acting on complex and high-stakes matters. Lead partner Harry Travers, ‘one of the smartest lawyers in his field’, has a sophisticated fraud practice in addition to a long record in tax avoidance litigation. Firm founder Ian Burton and ‘expert in financial and tax crime’ John Binns are core team members. Senior associate Greg Mailer is also a name to note.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP has strength in a range of areas, including tax-related professional negligence matters as well as trust and commercial disputes. The group acts for both corporate and private clients, both in the UK and offshore. Lead partner Hugh Gunson, described as ‘technically great, but also tactically astute’, has experience litigating tax at all levels.

'One of the best white collar crime boutiques’, Corker Binning acts for clients facing major criminal tax charges, including those involving complex and international elements. Practice head Jessica Parker represents individuals, financial institutions, and other entities in both civil and criminal matters. Andrew Smith is an expert in AML matters.

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP fields a team with both civil and criminal tax expertise, including a key aptitude in advising clients on the disclosure of funds held in offshore jurisdictions. Team lead Robert Levy is known internationally for his strength representing individuals facing tax investigations, including those involving serious fraud. Paul Bricknell is a key contact for tax disclosure work, while consultant Wendi Bussin covers regulatory and business crime.

Osborne Clarke LLP‘s tax disputes team is particularly active in the technology sector, and handles a variety of employment tax matters. ‘First-class’ practice head Ian Hyde has over 30 years’ experience in the practice area, and advises clients on all aspects of tax litigation, including both civil and criminal matters. Consultant Frances Lewis specialises in tax risks related to off-payroll workforces. Associate director Katherine King covers professional tax negligence claims.

Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP is experienced in handling parallel civil and criminal tax investigations, including cases with complex multijurisdictional elements. Practice head Neil Swift specialises in criminal tax fraud and civil cases involving a risk of criminal sanctions. Maria Cronin advises on FCA and money laundering cases. Of counsel Rachel Cook specialises in criminal tax litigation.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP‘s tax controversy team works across Europe and the US on complex cross-border disputes, including EU-wide tax audits, transfer pricing matters, and major commercial disputes between private parties. James Anderson, who is head of the firm’s European tax practice, co-leads the team alongside international arbitration expert David Kavanagh KC. Kate Davies KC and Alex Jupp are further key names.