Department profile
Freshfields

Tax

Europe Guide 2026 : UK

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Freshfields

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About

Provided by Freshfields

Please visit the Freshfields website for more details about our work in this category: http://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/what-we-do/services/tax/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Tax - UK

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Freshfields is renowned as a key player in major tax matters on behalf of its impressive client base. It provides a full suite of services in areas including finance, TMT, real estate and energy. The team is noted for its corporate tax expertise as well as for its work in the private equity sphere. It stands out for its ability to advise on cross-border tax issues.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Freshfields advised Cinven on the tax aspects of its majority investment in Grant Thornton.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The tax department of Freshfields has always provided a high-quality service. Their outstanding engagement and 24/7 responsiveness were astonishing.

    Tax respondentEurope

  • Freshfields provided excellent support. They were relentless in moving the transaction forward and exceptionally committed to delivering progress on the deal.

    Tax respondentEurope

  • The team are extremely technical.

    Tax respondentEurope

  • They are technically very good and very responsive. The team is proactive in driving projects forward and trying to provide commercially focused legal advice.

    Tax respondentEurope

  • Freshfields provide amazing and clear communication.

    Tax respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jill Gatehouse
    Jill Gatehouse

    Jill Gatehouse

    Jill Gatehouse is the head of Freshfields' global tax practice and assists clients with complex tax aspects of large-scale corporate and finance transactions. Her areas of expertise include private equity transactions, public M&A and IPOs.

    • Jill has an incredible depth of knowledge and a great approach to us as a client.

      Tax respondentEurope

    • Jill is always tremendous. She has intellectual rigour and thought, and offers top-of-the market advice.

      Tax respondentEurope
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  • May Smith
    May Smith

    May Smith

    May Smith has a broad practice providing guidance to clients on the tax aspects of corporate transactions, among other areas.

    • Her knowledge and sophistication are always outstanding..

      Tax respondentEurope

    • May is a superstar.

      Tax respondentEurope

    • In addition to her tax expertise, May demonstrates great interpersonal skills, which make interactions with her and her team very pleasant even during challenging negotiations.

      Tax respondentEurope
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  • Paul Davison
    Paul Davison

    Paul Davison

    Paul Davison leads Freshfields' finance tax team. He frequently counsels clients on the tax aspects of M&A, restructuring and insolvency, and the structuring of complex financial instruments.

    • Paul is a very good lawyer.

      Tax respondentEurope

    • Paul is terrifyingly bright and solution-orientated. He is a very good lawyer.

      Tax respondentEurope
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  • Peter Clements
    Peter Clements

    Peter Clements

    Peter Clements is known for providing extensive support and guidance on M&A structuring and tax planning. He is particularly adept at advising on cross-border matters.

    • Peter is an amazing communicator and is highly knowledgeable in the field of tax. He ensures his advice adds value.

      Tax respondentEurope

    • Peter has an ability to prioritise risk levels and articulate where the issues are without using loads of technical jargon. He communicates very clearly.

      Tax respondentEurope

    • Peter is pleasant, pragmatic and smart.

      Tax respondentEurope

    • Peter knows his stuff and is very nice to work with too.

      Tax respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at Freshfields (4)

UK

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