Deploying an international group of tax specialists, DLA Piper has vast expertise across the real estate, insurance and transport industries, routinely advising its domestic and international client base. The practice is highly regarded for its handling of all tax aspects within multi-jurisdictional M&A, whilst demonstrating significant knowledge of the intangible fixed assets UK tax regime. Mark Burgess heads the Birmingham-based team, specialising in assisting institutions, private companies and public bodies on the gamut of corporate and real estate taxation matters, while Nick Hinton focuses on business tax and property transactions.
Corporate tax in West Midlands
DLA Piper
Responsables de la pratique:
Mark Burgess
Autres avocats clés:
Nick Hinton
Principaux clients
John Lewis Partnership Pension Fund
Prologis
MKS Instruments, Inc
NatWest Group
Universities Superannuation Scheme
Dignity plc
Deloitte
Aviva
AXA
Sytner Group
Harrison Street Real Estate
Elliott Advisers
HS2
Principaux dossiers
- Provided multi-jurisdictional structuring advice and on-going advice relating to a £900m portfolio acquisition and disposal programme to Oval Real Estate.
- Advised a global manufacturer and retailer on its on-going global IP transfers, including high street brands and related IP.
DWF
Representing publicly listed companies, public authorities and sporting organisations on the whole spectrum of tax law issues, the DWF practice routinely handles M&A, share schemes and private equity work. The team has vast experience of representing clients in complex tax litigation, spanning from HMRC investigations to BPRA cases. From Birmingham, Jon Stevens leads the outfit, focusing on the taxation elements in cross-border real estate transactions, whilst Tom Rank brings extensive knowledge on share incentives and employment taxes since his arrival from Gowling WLG in July 2023. Alex Tolcher specialises in technical tax drafting relating to property matters, and Tajinder Barring is also highlighted as key.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jon Stevens
Autres avocats clés:
Tom Rank; Tajinder Barring; Alex Tolcher
Les références
‘Jon Stevens – incredibly commercially aware and has a fantastic ability to explain complex tax issues in a way that facilitates understanding. A real leader in his area.’
‘They are a highly specialised tax team and part of a large national firm. Despite the size of the firm, they still provide a highly personal service to their clients. They have the ability to scale up resources where the case demands it and bring in the expertise of other departments within the firm when these are relevant to the tax dispute.’
‘Tajinder Barring is a charismatic solicitor who has a background in criminal fraud. He uses this expertise to proactively pursue non-criminal tax disputes and tribunal work.’
Principaux clients
Whitbread PLC
LXi REIT
Crisp Thinking Group Limited (and its shareholders)
Ares Management
Panattoni Development
BT Group PLC
Shell PLC
Tesco PLC
Downing LLP
Maven Capital Partner
Principaux dossiers
- Appointed to Tesco’s property panel, with the tax team supporting the national retailer with obligations for SDLT, in addition to advising on the tax implications of property acquisitions and disposals.
- Advised the shareholders of Fuel Learning Limited on the sale of Fuel Learning Limited to Fuel Learning Holdings Limited (as part of an investment by Key Capital Partners).
- Assisted West Lindsey District Council with a complex grant funding and re-development arrangement connected to redevelopment with the aim of fostering growth in rural villages in the area.
Parisi Tax LLP
Specialising in tax advice to entrepreneurs, management teams and private companies, the Parisi Tax LLP team consistently covers reorganisations, M&A, and employee share incentives. The practice demonstrates special strength in handling all tax elements of property transactions, spanning from stamp duty to capital allowance. Lisa Stevenson and Becky Rees co-head the group, with the former being an expert in designing and implementing executive share incentive plans, whilst the latter is knowledgeable on debt restructurings and employment related securities. Jon Robinson focuses on private equity work, and Patrick Allan has expertise in property investment and strategic change projects.
Responsables de la pratique:
Lisa Stevenson; Becky Rees
Autres avocats clés:
Jon Robinson; Patrick Allan
Les références
‘Responsive speedy responses with clear explanation.’
‘Parisi are boutique tax specialists with strong backgrounds at large firms, giving them the knowledge and experience to deal with complex transactions. This fills a gap for firms like mine that handle more complicated transactions but do not have a tax department.’
‘Jon Robinson and Patrick Allen are excellent. They are quick and responsive, can jump on calls with clients or the other side on short notice and provide excellent advice which is always delivered with an appreciation for the particular commercial context of a transaction.’
Principaux clients
KPMG LLP
Appsbroker
Dickson Minto
Moodle Pty Limited
Cloud Stratex and its shareholders
Grace Blue Partnership Limited
Education in Motion (through VWV)
Whyaye and its shareholders
Principaux dossiers
- Advised on the option process as well as the shareholders on their personal tax during the sale of Cloud Stratex to US company Brillio.
- Worked with the KPMG legal team on the sale of the Boston Energy group to LDC (private equity backed buyout).
- Advised Moodle on structure and roll out of the share plan for its UK employees.
Browne Jacobson LLP
Providing structuring and transactional tax advice in corporate M&A and property dealings, the Browne Jacobson LLP practice follows a ‘clear and friendly approach’ when assisting clients across the financial services, public and real estate sectors. The ‘excellent’ Andrew Noble spearheads the practice, primarily focusing on tax-efficient structuring, Beth Dowson specialises in property tax and employee share schemes and Rebecca Burge has expertise in stamp duty land tax. Christian Burchardt is a corporate tax expert, whilst Craig Thomas is also highlighted as key.
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Noble
Autres avocats clés:
Beth Dowson; Rebecca Burge; Christian Burchardt; Samuel Moore; Craig Thomas
Les références
‘I use the Browne Jacobson tax team to support me on corporate transactions, particularly where the other party has a tax team acting on the transaction. The Browne Jacobson tax team are excellent and able to match the expertise and experience of the tax teams from the largest firms. I have not come across another firm’s tax team that provides corporate support for other lawyers. We have worked together for 17 years.’
‘Andrew Noble is excellent. He has the highest levels of experience and expertise and still manages to put difficult and complex tax matters into language that even a corporate lawyer can understand.’
‘Browne Jacobson have a good approach to all projects, every person I speak to has the same clear and friendly approach. They listen, give clear quotes and when things change are up front about costs, which helps when budgeted for advice.’
Principaux clients
Apiary Capital LLP
NTT Data Business Solutions AG
Ace Fire and Security Systems
London Borough of Enfield
Santander UK
Clydesdale Bank
Lloyds Development Capital (Holdings) Ltd
Database Service Provider Global Ltd
RCapital Partners LLP
MSQ Partners Limited
Higgs LLP
Headed by Susheel Gupta, the Brierly Hill-based Higgs LLP full-service tax team caters for all types of corporates and individuals, primarily focusing on incentive arrangements for employees, property tax planning measures and group restructurings. Gupta specialises in complex corporate taxation matters, Richard Ferguson is an expert on property taxes, whilst both Johnathan Hunter and George Hinchmore are both highlighted as key contacts.
Responsables de la pratique:
Susheel Gupta
Autres avocats clés:
Richard Ferguson; Johnathan Hunter; George Hinchmore
Les références
‘Susheel Gupta very strong on finding solutions. Experienced tax team in a firm this size is rare, if not unique. ’
‘The Higgs corporate tax team is excellent – they are competitive and provide clarity on fees. Most importantly, their technical tax knowledge is excellent and they give clear advice that can be relied on.’
‘I have worked with Susheel Gupta for many years. Susheel cares about clients, he provides options, solutions and gives an honest opinion on the best way to structure a transaction.’
Principaux clients
La Maison Bleue/Old Station Nursery
Allpack Group Limited
Weaver Investments Limited
Cope Technologies Limited
Bond Wolfe Finance Limited
United Care Group Limited
Shareholders of Marine Space Limited
Hockley Mint
Argus Security Holdings Limited
YSA Supply Limited
EFTI Decorating Contractors Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised on the major group reorganisation on AllGroup Holdings Limited.
- Advised on the purchase of Cope Technology Limited by an employee ownership trust.
- Advise Old Station Nursery on all various UK tax aspects relating to their acquisitions and UK group structure.
Irwin Mitchell
Sitting within the wider corporate and finance team, Irwin Mitchell’s tax practice has extensive experience in drafting tax covenants and warranties, alongside advising clients on the tax aspects of major acquisitions. Jennie Newton is a stamp taxes expert, consistently structuring transactions. James Arnold is knowledgeable on employee share schemes, and Eve Williams is also noted as key.
Autres avocats clés:
Jennie Newton; James Arnold; Eve Williams; Jade Williamson
Les références
‘The team are both responsive and practical, working alongside them on transactions is always straightforward and they deliver great output.’
Principaux clients
Phenna Group Holdings
Praxis
Birmingham Sports Holdings Limited
Reconomy
ThreeTwoFour
Top Tubes Ltd
BK Plus
National chain of supermarkets
High net worth individual
Investment firm
Large national housebuilder
Vulcain Engineering
Principaux dossiers
- Supported our national corporate team on the transactional tax aspects of Phenna Group’s acquisition of Trident Water Solutions, drafting and negotiating tax covenants, warranties, other tax provisions and handling the stamp duty submission to HMRC.
- Advised in relation to tax aspects of the investment by Shelby Companies Limited in Birmingham City Football Club and Birmingham City Women’s Football Club, including cross-border aspects.
- Advised Reconomy on the transactional tax aspects of their acquisition of UK Waste Solutions Limited (a.k.a. Novati), including the drafting and negotiating of the tax covenant, warranties and other protections for the client in the SPA, managing the process of various managers exercising tax-advantaged EMI share options as part of the transaction to ensure that no tax liabilities arose, and calculating and dealing with the stamp duty submission for HMRC.