Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP hosts a wealth of contentious tax expertise, with its experience spanning disputes regarding personal tax, employment tax, indirect tax, direct business tax, international tax and commercial tax. Its team is knowledgeable of an array on sectors, notably energy, financial services, real estate and TMT. Nick Clayton is responsible for overseeing the practice and has ample experience handling large tax disputes for UHNWIs, financial institutions and corporates. Michael Hunt is a standout member of the team and is experienced at handling contentious matters relating to worker status and the tax implications of internationally mobile employees. Dawen Gao is also a highly regarded member of the team and brings extensive knowledge of tax disputes across the banking, insurance, energy, real estate and TMT sectors to the practice.

Boutique tax firm Joseph Hage Aaronson & Bremen LLP is respected in the market for its ability to handle large tax disputes and group litigation in the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, High Court, Court of Appeal, UK Supreme Court and CJEU. The team is spearheaded by Graham Aaronson KC, who is relied on by a full spectrum of taxpayers, from industrial corporations and financial service businesses to entrepreneurs and HNWIs; and Michael Anderson, who has established experience in tax litigation at all levels of the UK’s Tax Tribunals, domestic courts and European Court. Iain MacWhannell enjoys a market leading presence in cases involving HMRC’s investigative powers, tax fraud, tax evasion and tax abuse. Daniel Margolin KC is well versed in HMRC litigation, and Helen McGhee has strong credentials in COP9 investigations. Simon Whitehead retired from the firm in January 2025.

Possessing ‘strategic thinking and tactical nous’, Slaughter and May is routinely at the head of significant issues in the market, notably those pertaining to partnership tax, the UK-US double tax treaty, and VAT groups. Richard Jeens and Dominic Robertson form the duo that leads the team. Jeens has a high level of experience in multijurisdictional mandates which overlap practice areas. Robertson is noted for his capabilities in statutory interpretation and cross-border matters. Mike Lane brings in-depth knowledge of financial services disputes and international tax treaty matters to the group. Ewan Brown has notable specialism in financial services tax litigation and partnership tax issues.

The tax disputes practice at Ashurst is recognised for its ability to handle VAT litigation, indirect tax, employment taxes and EU State Aid and other EU tax-related contentious matters. The team routinely undertakes work within the firm’s priority industry sectors, notably financial institutions, funds, natural resources, and infrastructure. Nicholas Gardner heads up the group and has experience in tax litigation before all levels of the UK courts. Paul Miller‘s expertise has a notable emphasis on the financial services industry. Sara Mardell‘s strengths lie in litigation against HMRC before the tax tribunals and higher courts.

Clients praise the contentious tax team at Baker McKenzie for ‘always looking for solutions to tax disputes with HMRC’. The group’s expertise is particularly sought out by clients with disputes in the financial institutions, healthcare, TMT and FMCG sectors. Co-heads David Jamieson and Jessica Eden both take responsibility for steering the practice. Jamieson is a reputed VAT lawyer and fields a wealth of knowledge in VAT disputes stemming from the financial services, telecoms and e-commerce sectors. Eden provides the corporate tax expertise, seeing her frequently advise on HMRC investigations into international structures. Jukka Karjalainen leads on the transfer pricing front.

Harnessing ‘deep litigation experience’, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is able to advise on disputes across a range of direct and indirect taxes. The group has developed particular expertise in corporate tax disputes, VAT disputes and SDLT disputes. The practice is jointly headed by Elizabeth Bradley and Kate Ison, whose expertise in HMRC enquiries and criminal investigations is an asset to the team. Alan Sinyor is a standout feature of the team and heads the firm’s indirect tax offering, with specialist knowledge in contentious VAT and customs duties matters.

Ernst & Young LLP‘s tax disputes team is familiar with complex disputes before the FTT up to the supreme court, as well as with public law judicial review cases. Its clients range from UHNWIs to large corporates, especially those from the oil and gas and energy sectors. The capable quartet jointly leading the group is formed of Boaz Goren, whose strengths lie in tax litigation and arbitration; Mitchell Moss, who heads the indirect tax offering; Julian Balson, who excels in VAT, customs and excise duty fraud litigation and investigations; and Elyse Waller, who is the go-to for direct tax disputes involving corporate taxpayers. Dan White is also a name to note.

Fieldfisher‘s ‘excellent litigation experience’ in the contentious tax domain spans tax disclosures, enquiries, lobbying, ADR, tribunal litigation, appeals, judicial reviews, restitution and rectification claims and EU litigation. George Gillham sits at the head of the practice and is highly regarded for his skills in managing tax enquiries, disclosures and litigation following his time as a former IR tax inspector. Philippe Freund is routinely instructed on international tax enquiries, and Siobhan Gillespie regularly gets involved in disputes involving both direct and indirect taxes. Matthew Sharp departed to Brown Rudnick LLP in March 2024

KPMG Law‘s wide-ranging tax disputes and investigations practice encompasses VAT, corporation tax, customs and excise duties, judicial review and income tax expertise. Angela Savin and Matthew Fleming jointly take on the role of practice heads. Savin specialises in the direct tax work and particularly excels in advising taxpayers in ‘main purpose’ disputes with HMRC. Fleming is the go-to for indirect taxes and is especially knowledgeable of VAT, customs duty, excise, gaming duty, and environmental taxes. Colette Van Zyl is an asset to the practice and is well versed in complex VAT disputes. Lee Ellis is also an active member of the group.

The ‘world class’ tax litigation practice at Macfarlanes LLP is well-equipped to advise on a full spectrum of contentious tax matters, including tax risk management, judicial review, transfer pricing, settlements, insured tax risks, tax administration and private client tax matters. Gideon Sanitt leads the team with a ‘wealth of experience of HMRC behaviour and negotiation’. Sophie Rhind is a key feature of the team and brings expertise in judicial review matters.

PwC LLP‘s well established client base includes FTSE 100 groups, large multinationals, private businesses, and high-net-worth individuals. Mark Whitehouse and David Anderson jointly oversee the practice. Whitehouse draws on extensive contentious tax knowledge, notably in tax planning challenges, corporate tax appeals and international transfer pricing disputes. Anderson is a dedicated indirect tax disputes lawyer, with exceptional VAT expertise. Peter Johnson excels in disputes involving international corporate tax and financial structures.

Distinguished by its ‘unrivaled experience of high profile and high value tax litigation matters’, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is a popular choice for ultra-high-net-worth tax disputes. The group is also noted for its tax knowledge in the media sector. Highly regarded Liesl Fichardt leads and is regularly called upon by corporates, multinationals and HNWIs to handle tax disputes. Epaminontas Triantafilou is a point of reference for his experience in international arbitration. Justin Michaelson also draws on significant experience in international commercial disputes and is regularly before arbitral tribunals. Emily Au is experienced in regulatory enquiries, investigations, voluntary disclosures and ADR.

The tax disputes and investigations group at RPC is routinely instructed in large tax litigation cases, group litigations and group association cases. Its expertise also extends to HMRC investigations for HNWIs and judicial review proceedings for both corporates and individuals. Adam Craggs sits at the head of the practice and draws on extensive direct and indirect tax disputes resolution expertise, notably in HMRC’s ADR process. Michelle Sloane is a highly regarded member of the team for her knowledge of VAT and customs and excise duty disputes.

The contentious tax offering at A&O Shearman is praised for its thoroughness, covering HMRC negotiations and settlements, tribunal and court proceedings, commercial litigation proceedings and tax investigations. Jointly overseeing the practice is Christopher Harrison, who is well versed in tax investigations, administrative controversies and tax litigation; and Charles Yorke, who is routinely instructed by financial institutions, major oil companies and infrastructure groups. Eve Giles brings significant experience in financial crime investigations involving tax to the practice. Lydia Challen provides a well-rounded understanding of contentious issues regarding corporate tax and structuring matters.

The tax disputes practice at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP offers a breadth of expertise spanning VAT, customs duties and tax investigations by UK and international tax authorities. Robert Waterson is in charge of leading the practice and brings experience in customs disputes and criminal investigations. Ben Jones is a key figure in the team and is skilled in both contentious and non-contentious tax matters. Edward Griffiths is a name to note for his indirect tax expertise, notably VAT, IPT and customs duties matters.

Drawing on the firm’s wider expertise in dispute resolution, criminal ligation and private client, Kingsley Napley LLP creates a formidable tax disputes and investigations offering. Waqar Shah is responsible for leading the practice and ‘is particularly well versed in matters concerning VAT disputes, or tax investigations’. David Sleight is an active member of the team and also a go-to for tax fraud related issues. Krishna Mahajan is a highly appreciated member of the team for her knowledge of tax fraud, voluntary and promoted disclosure and indirect tax.

Norton Rose Fulbright is well versed in tax disputes before the UK courts and tribunals, as well as in tax authority investigations and negotiations with tax authorities. Dominic Stuttaford and Matthew Hodkin are the duo who oversee the team. Stuttaford is the global head of tax and is regularly litigating before all levels of the UK courts, tribunals and ECJ. Hodkin brings extensive knowledge of the energy, infrastructure and transport sectors to the practice. Ruth Cowley is also an active member of the team.

The tax controversy practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is well versed in an array on cross-border tax controversies, including transfer pricing and CA matters, as well as in disputes arising from global and regional business transactions. The practice is jointly headed by James Anderson, who is an expert in the energy sector, and Patrick O’Gara, who was welcomed to the firm in November 2024 from Baker McKenzie LLP. Kate Davies KC is also a key name in the team and is lauded for her arbitration expertise.

Considered by clients as ‘one of the best tax litigation teams around’, Stewarts Law LLP is regularly involved in disputes with HMRC about primary tax liability, as well as disputes with commercial parties to claim back losses. David Pickstone sits at the head of the practice and specialises in direct tax, environmental taxes and commercial tax litigation. Giles Salmond is well known for VAT, customs duties and other indirect tax disputes against HMRC. Matthew Greene is experienced in litigation before the tax tribunal and higher courts, as well as in negotiating settlements with HMRC.

Bark&co is chosen by clients for its ability to ‘deal with investigations and pre-charge matters as well as disputes’. The group particularly excels in criminal tax fraud and civil tax disputes involving VAT and excise duty. Giles Bark-Jones leads the group which benefits from his extensive experience in major international fraud and corruption cases. Peter Finbow and Maria Stalbow are names to highlight in the team.

Aptly described as ‘London’s premier tax controversy, tax dispute, and elevated tax risk, legal practice’, BCL Solicitors LLP is a key point of reference for criminal and civil tax matters. Harry Travers leads the team and is extremely experienced in tax avoidance litigation. Ian Burton is the key contact for significant tax investigations, and John Binns excels in tax fraud and evasion matters.

Distinguished as a ‘strong team combining commercial and private tax expertise’, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP excels in HMRC enquiries and investigations for both private and corporate clients. Equipped with a ‘deep knowledge of tax and of tax investigation’, practice head Hugh Gunson excels in technical tax litigation.

The tax disputes and investigations team at CMS has a varied practice, with its key work being tax litigation before the tribunals and courts, ADR, HMRC enquiries, tax offences and voluntary tax disclosures. The trio of practice heads is formed of Nicola Hine, who focuses her practice solely on complex tax dispute resolution, and Aaron Fairhurst and Lauren Alder, who both also co-head the wider tax team.

Boutique law firm Corker Binning dedicates its practice entirely to business crime and fraud, including criminal tax offences. Jessica Parker sits at the head of the practice and is an expert in proceedings brought by HMRC in relation to allegations of tax fraud. Andrew Smith is an active member of the group and excels in major HMRC investigations.

Kennedys‘ tax disputes and investigations practice is entirely dedicated to tax dispute resolution, from handling complex investigation, disclosures and litigation to transfer pricing and diverted profits matters. Andy Brown heads up the practice and is well known for his work in high-profile tax litigation involving voluntary disclosure. Chris Young and Jennifer Southern are both also names to note.

Equipped with ‘strength and depth of experience and knowledge’, Kuit Steinart Levy LLP is well versed in HMRC investigations, voluntary disclosure, fraud, criminal tax prosecution, offshore tax compliance and tax notices. Robert Levy heads up the practice and is a leading practitioner in contentious tax matters, notably those of suspected serious fraud. Paul Bricknell excels in tax disclosure and investigation work, and Wendi Bussin specialises in regulatory and business crime.

The tax disputes and investigation team at Mishcon de Reya LLP brings together expertise in indirect tax, employment-related tax, corporate tax and enforcement by HMRC to provide a thorough offering to its clients. Leading the team is Robert Hartley, who brings strengths in direct tax involved in private client and corporate tax matters, as well as transfer pricing expertise.

Noted by clients for being ‘particularly strong for investigations in sport’, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP also offers expertise in HMRC investigations, HMRC disclosures, disputed tax liabilities, tax compliance and professional negligence claims in respect of tax matters. The practice is jointly led by the following group of co-heads, Kamran Rehman, Michael Brown, Richard Marshall, James d’Aquino and Alex Fox.

Pinsent Masons LLP has a reputation among its clients for ‘tackling the most complex tax disputes effectively and easily’. The team has ample experience handling large-scale litigation before the higher courts. Jake Landman is an asset to the team and is typically instructed by large corporates in the energy, FS and consume products sectors. Bryn Reynolds serves as the team’s indirect tax expert.

The tax group at Stephenson Harwood is well versed in contentious tax matters, including investigations, enquiries, pre-litigation settlements with HMRC, professional negligence claims and court litigation. The group is noted for its expertise in matters involving private equity and funds, as well as real estate tax. John Meehan leads the team, which is ably supported by Shofiq Miah, who has deep expertise in tax enquiries, investigations and disputes.

Home to a roster of high-profile clients including FTSE 350 companies, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP is experienced in a variety of large tax litigation matters. The trio at the head of the practice is formed of Oliver Walker, who specialises in private equity; Jenny Doak, who is an expert in the energy, TMT and infrastructure sectors; and Jamie Maples, who is experienced in litigation, arbitration and investigations. Christopher Marks is also a name to highlight in the team.