Herbert Smith Freehills LLP fields ‘an outstanding proactive team’ with a strong reputation acting in tax disputes both domestically and internationally. Areas covered by the department include indirect tax and employment tax disputes, as well as the full scope of direct business tax issues. Nick Clayton, who leads the team, offers expertise in both civil and criminal tax matters, with a record of acting on behalf of UHNWIs, financial institutions, and corporates. Working with Clayton is Michael Hunt, who is dual-qualified as a solicitor and chartered accountant with particular strength in employment tax issues. Dawen Gao is a key name with broad experience across the banking, insurance, and energy sectors, among others.

Joseph Hage Aaronson LLP, a respected tax boutique, offers ‘incomparable experience of litigating major tax cases’, with a strong track record appearing before the First-Tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, High Court, Court of Appeal, and the UK Supreme Court, as well as the CJEU. In addition to its aptitude for litigation, the firm handles arbitration and investigations, representing a diverse range of domestic and international clients in the full spectrum of contentious tax. Graham Aaronson KC, who ‘needs little introduction’, co-leads alongside fellow founding partner Michael Anderson, whose practice covers both civil and criminal tax disputes. Simon Whitehead specialises in direct tax, while Iain MacWhannell is noted for his strength in VAT, in addition to a strong fraud/avoidance/abuse tax practice. Also key are Daniel Margolin KC, who has experience appearing before the Supreme Court, and Helen McGhee, noted for her aptitude in international tax disputes.

Slaughter and May fields ‘one of the best tax teams in the country’, at the forefront of key issues such as partnership tax. The substantial team is equipped to offer full support in matters such as transfer pricing and tax residence issues, with a robust criminal tax offering. Jointly leading the team are Richard Jeens, a notable thought leader with experience in complex multijurisdictional mandates, and Dominic Robertson , whose expertise extends to transfer pricing and DPT issues. ‘Grandee partner’ Ewan Brown specialises in providing advice to financial institutions facing litigation and investigations, while Mike Lane contributes further expertise in VAT. Sarah Osprey, who made partner in May 2023, has experience advising prominent international clients on a range of matters, including state aid.

A&O Shearman‘s robust contentious tax offering aids in litigation, arbitration, and investigations, both within the UK and internationally. Charles Yorke has experience handling high stakes disputes in the financial, energy, and infrastructure sectors, and jointly leads the department alongside Chris Harrison, who serves as the firm’s global head of tax. Eve Giles is an expert in financial crime matters relating to tax, while senior partner Lydia Challen is a key contact for contentious matters relating to structuring issues.

Ashurst fields a 'very knowledgeable' team adept in direct and indirect tax disputes, active for a diverse client roster which includes financial institutions, major funds, and premium corporates. The department is equipped to handle complex international disputes, including transfer pricing and state aid issues. Nicholas Gardner leads the team, and has experience handling tax disputes before all levels of the UK courts. Paul Miller specialises in the financial services industry, and has experience in disputes relating to unallowable purpose. Sara Mardell has strength in indirect tax, and a growing practice advising on judicial review claims.

Baker McKenzie‘s department houses lawyers, economists and accountants, delivering ‘strong technical expertise and awareness of commercial reality’. The group offers comprehensive support in contentious tax, covering indirect tax disputes, transfer pricing, state aid investigations, and corporation tax disputes. David Jamieson co-leads the team alongside Jessica Eden, with Jamieson focusing on contentious VAT matters, while Eden spearheads the corporate tax disputes offering. Patrick O’Gara is particularly adept in issues relating to DPT, with strength in the technology, pharmaceutical, and professional services sectors. Jukka Karjalainen leads on transfer pricing, with varied prior experience, which includes working in-house at a multinational mining corporation.

The ‘good all round team with lots of practical experience’ at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner maintains strong coverage of civil and criminal tax matters, with a strong track record in high profile test cases of national significance. Elizabeth Bradley, who is the firm’s global head of tax, leads the department alongside Kate Ison, praised for her ability to ‘explain issues succinctly and effectively‘. Ison covers both direct tax and VAT, with experience handling HMRC enquiries and investigations. Alan Sinyor  is the resident indirect taxation expert, covering all contentious and non-contentious issues relating to VAT and Customs Duties. Kyle O’Sullivan joined the group from Slaughter and May in April 2024.

DLA Piper‘s ‘highly knowledgeable, experienced, skilful, responsive‘ team works within the firm’s global framework to aid clients facing audits and tax disputes worldwide. The group demonstrates particular aptitude in transfer pricing, aiding multijurisdictional clients with intensive, global investigations. Jason Collins leads the team, and has expertise in all stages of audits, enquiries, and appeals, with areas of particular strength including employment tax, DPT, and transfer pricing. Stuart Walsh specialises in indirect tax, advising numerous prominent multinationals in contentious matters in this area. Randall Fox leads the team’s transfer pricing team. Also key are Clara Boyd, a VAT specialist with experience conducting internal investigations, and Lauren Redhead, who is experienced acting for multinationals.

Ernst & Young LLP's growing team is experienced at all levels of the UK tax courts, with aptitude in judicial review cases. The group benefits from the substantial support of the larger firm, equipping the group with strength in VAT, landfill tax, income and corporation tax, and EU disputes. Boaz Goren heads the team alongside Mitchell Moss and Julian Balson. Goren has significant experience in both litigation and ADR. Moss leads on indirect tax disputes, while Balson is noted for his strength advising on enquiries and investigations. Elyse Waller and Dan White are key names in the team.

Fieldfisher boasts 'total domain expertise', with coverage of enquiries, litigation, arbitration, appeals, and judicial review, in addition to professional negligence and lobbying services in the tax sphere. Team lead George Gillham is highly experienced in both civil and criminal tax disputes, and has prior experience working within HMRC as a tax inspector. Philippe Freund is particularly adept in international and cross-border matters. Matthew Sharp covers matters relating to employment tax, with a robust professional negligence practice. Siobhan Gillespie is active for both individuals and corporates in a range of matters. Barrister Christopher Kientzler has experience in litigation relating to the taxation of umbrella companies.

KPMG acts for a prestigious spread of clients, including numerous prominent multinational groups. The group is highly active on behalf of major financial institutions, with further strength across the industrial, gaming, and energy sectors. Jointly leading the department are Angela Savin, a specialist in direct taxes active for both corporates and high-net-worth individuals, and Matthew Fleming, who leads on indirect tax, including VAT, customs duty, and excise. Colette Van Zyl shares indirect tax as an area of specialism, with particular emphasis on VAT matters. Barrister and accredited mediator Lee Ellis is highly experienced in both domestic and international disputes.

Macfarlanes LLP is ‘a high quality tax litigation outfit with excellence at every level’, adept in direct and indirect tax disputes, in addition to risk management advice. Gideon Sanitt heads the team, and is described as ‘excellent, very clever, and commercial’. Sanitt is active for both individuals and corporate clients, and has significant experience in litigation and investigations. Sophie Rhind has strength in partnership taxation, and provides key expertise in ADR.

PwC LLP‘s client base includes FTSE 100 groups, Premier League football clubs, and high-net-worth individuals, with the team experienced in the full range of sensitive and complex tax disputes. Mark Whitehouse heads the direct tax practice, co-leading the department alongside David Anderson, who leads on indirect tax. Whitehouse counts transfer pricing and group litigation actions among his key strengths, while Anderson is noted for his aptitude in VAT. Peter Johnson is experienced in multidisciplinary tax disputes, and has a strong track record in litigation.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is a leading name in private client tax disputes, with a prestige client base of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, including those facing complex multijurisdictional proceedings. The group additionally acts for corporate groups facing a range of direct and indirect tax disputes. Liesl Fichardt leads the team, and is highly experienced in complex tax disputes, with expertise in both litigation and arbitration. Epaminontas Triantafilou is noted for his record in international arbitration, as is Justin Michaelson, whose practice additionally covers white collar crime. Emily Au covers litigation and investigations, and conducts advocacy before the UK tax tribunals.

RPC covers tax investigations, litigation, and judicial review cases, with a strong ADR offering. The group benefits from including multiple former HMRC members, lending expertise in the full range of civil and criminal tax procedures. Adam Craggs leads, and has longstanding experience in direct and indirect tax disputes. Craggs is highly active as a thought leader, lecturing and writing extensively on tax matters. Michelle Sloane has key strength in criminal tax matters, and is active on behalf of both individuals and corporates. Harry Smith brings experience working within HMRC, and has broad sector expertise.

Simmons & Simmons has core strength advising clients in the financial services, asset management, and environmental sectors, and benefit from the firm's broader full service offering. Heather Rowlands leads the team, and is praised by clients for her 'encyclopaedic knowledge of the trickiest elements of tax law'. Rowlands is dual qualified as a solicitor and Chartered Tax Adviser, and has a practice which includes offshore litigation and indirect tax. 'Star in the making' Craig Kirkham-Wilson covers both civil and criminal tax disputes, and is qualified as a solicitor advocate.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is particularly adept in indirect tax disputes, representing prominent clients in the full range of VAT and customs matters. The group has additional strength in international tax, benefiting from the firm’s global network in its handling of multijurisdictional and cross-border matters. Ben Jones leads, and maintains both a contentious and non-contentious practice. Edward Griffiths is a key name, with experience in judicial review claims.

Kingsley Napley LLP‘s contentious tax team offers support in both civil and criminal tax matters, and is composed of ‘experienced, skilful practitioners’. Leading the team is Waqar Shah, ‘undoubtedly one of the most dynamic tax litigation partners in the industry’, who has experience representing individuals and corporate clients in both litigation and ADR. Criminal tax specialist David Sleight‘s practice includes matters relating to fraud, tax evasion, and overseas corruption. Krishna Mahajan joined the team from Stewarts in January 2024.

Norton Rose Fulbright has strength in international tax disputes, covering a diverse range of issues including tax residence, main purpose tests, and disputes relating to the correct interpretation of double tax treaties. Global head of tax Dominic Stuttaford, who ‘has a brain the size of a planet’, co-leads the department alongside Matthew Hodkin, noted for his strength in the energy, infrastructure, and transport sectors. Ruth Cowley is a key name.

Pinsent Masons LLP covers all aspects of direct and indirect taxation, with a strong record in high profile and large scale litigation, including multiple cases before the Supreme Court. Team lead Steven Porter acts for both private individuals and corporate clients facing high-stakes tax disputes, and has a ‘fantastic legal mind and grasp of subject matter’. Key names within the team include Jake Landman, who has particular strength in the financial services sector, and Bryn Reynolds, an expert in indirect tax disputes who joined the group from Simmons & Simmons in November 2023.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP specialises in high value tax disputes of a highly complex, international nature. Transfer pricing and matters relating to state aid are within the team’s scope, which provides full support in litigation and ADR procedures. James Anderson, who leads the firm’s European tax practice, jointly heads the department alongside Kate Davies KC, noted for her skill in arbitration. Alex Jupp is experienced advising clients facing audits.

Stewarts Law LLP represents individuals and corporate clients in the full range of tax disputes, including professional negligence claims. The group is praised for its ‘second to none technical expertise’, which it utilises across the financial services, transport, and consumer goods sectors, among others. David Pickstone leads the team, and has significant experience in both litigation and out-of-court negotiations. Additions to the team over the course of 2023 include Giles Salmond, an expert in indirect tax who joined from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, and Matthew Greene, formerly of Osborne Clarke LLP.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP acts for a prestige client base of high profile clients, with experience advising on complex multijurisdictional disputes. The department is jointly led by Oliver Walker, Jenny Doak, and Jamie Maples. Walker has expertise in private equity, Doak covers judicial review cases and contractual disputes in addition to litigation, and Maples brings experience in arbitration and investigations. Solicitor advocate Christopher Marks is a key name.

Bark&co fields a 'very well regarded and experienced team' with a growing reputation in civil litigation and investigations, in particular VAT and excise duty cases. The group additionally boasts core strength in criminal tax matters, including high profile tax fraud. Giles Bark-Jones leads the team, with a strong reputation in international tax fraud and corruption. White collar crime expert Peter Finbow and fraud specialist Maria Stalbow are core team members.

BCL Solicitors LLP is particularly active on behalf of high-net-worth individuals, and provides support in both civil and criminal tax matters. Harry Travers, who leads the team, has expertise in tax investigations and white collar crime. Ian Burton and John Binns cover tax fraud, including on behalf of both individuals and prominent organisations. Greg Mailer made partner in September 2023.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP advises on HMRC enquiries and investigations, as well as tax litigation, acting on behalf of both private clients and corporates. The group additionally offers support in tax-related professional negligence matters. Team lead Hugh Gunson is 'technically brilliant but with a keen eye on strategy', and covers a broad range of disputes.

CMS‘ disputes team works with the support of the firm’s substantial tax offering, catering to a prestige client base of multinationals, facing a range of complex disputes. The group takes an active role in thought leadership in the area. Stephen Hignett, who co-heads the broader tax team, leads the department. Sam Dames has particular strength in the financial services, infrastructure, and life sciences sectors.

Corker Binning, the 'pre-eminent boutique firm for criminal law issues', acts for individuals facing highly complex tax disputes, including major criminal investigations. The group is experienced handling international matters, coordinating across multiple jurisdictions. Jessica Parker leads the team, and has experience acting in civil and criminal tax matters. Andrew Smith is a key name, with a strong track record in international matters.

Kennedys fields a rapidly growing team, with established expertise in indirect tax disputes, in addition to a range of criminal tax matters. ‘Tactically astute’ Andy Brown leads the team, with experience in litigation and ADR. Brown joined the team in 2023 from Bird & Bird, alongside Chris Young, an expert in investigations, and Jennifer Southern.

Praised by clients for its 'integrity, responsiveness, and professionalism', Kuit Steinart Levy LLP boasts a team skilled in both civil and criminal tax matters, with a particular strength in advising clients on the disclosure of offshore-held funds. The team is led by the 'impressive' Robert Levy, renowned internationally for his expertise in representing individuals under investigation for tax-related issues, including serious fraud. Paul Bricknell plays a key role in tax disclosure cases, while dispute resolution consultant Wendi Bussin - noted for her 'great legal knowledge' and 'excellent client skills' - focuses on regulatory issues and business crime.

Mishcon de Reya LLP‘s practice works within the firm’s larger dispute resolution offering, with the support of the fraud, insolvency, and white-collar crime teams. The group is particularly active in ADR and mediation. Robert Hartley leads the team, and covers both direct and indirect tax disputes.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is active for domestic and international clients facing tax litigation, investigations, and enquiries. Kamran Rehman leads the group alongside James d’Aquino, who specialises in advising UHNWI in complex tax matters. Richard Marshall is a key name, with particular expertise in international tax matters.

Stephenson Harwood is active for corporate clients and individuals facing high value tax disputes, frequently with an international element. The group regularly provides tax risk advice, aiding clients with complex multijurisdictional tax planning. John Meehan leads the team. Shofiq Miah is a key name, advising on a broad range of corporate and indirect tax disputes.