Department profile
Macfarlanes LLP

Tax: Contentious

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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Macfarlanes LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Tax: Contentious - UK-wide

Band 3

What the Team is Known For
Macfarlanes has a robust team of litigators with broad knowledge and experience in a range of complex tax disputes. The firm regularly assists corporate and fund clients with cases concerning the tax treatment of transactions and transfers, tax deductions and reliefs, and the application of anti-avoidance rules. The team has further experience in providing advice on group claims.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Macfarlanes continued to advise Royal Mail on group litigation brought against it by hundreds of claimants who sought VAT invoices for historic commercial postal services.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Macfarlanes offer excellent technical tax and legal expertise, but also valuable strategic advice and understanding of HMRC processes, policies and ways of thinking.

    Tax: Contentious respondentUK

  • The team are proactive, they have brilliant minds and they are a really slick operation.

    Tax: Contentious respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Gideon Sanitt
    Gideon Sanitt

    Gideon Sanitt

    Gideon Sanitt is head of the tax investigations and disputes practice and has a wealth of experience advising companies, investment funds and individuals on direct and indirect tax disputes.

    • Gideon offers very clear and thoughtful analysis.

      Tax: Contentious respondentUK

    • Gideon has an awful lot of experience in disputes work and knows all the best strategic types of calls.

      Tax: Contentious respondentUK

    • Gideon is excellent at navigating potentially complex litigation and giving pragmatic advice.

      Tax: Contentious respondentUK
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  • Kate Ison
    Kate Ison

    Kate Ison

    Kate Ison is called upon by large corporate groups to advise on indirect tax disputes relating to VAT and SDLT. Her practice is broad, and she is also able to work with clients on disputes involving direct taxes.

    • Kate leads her team efficiently. She can break down and summarise complex matters in order to facilitate efficient and prudent decision-making.

      Tax: Contentious respondentUK
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  • Sophie Rhind
    Sophie Rhind

    Sophie Rhind

    Sophie Rhind has an esteemed tax litigation practice with noted strength on matters involving the taxation of individuals and partnerships. Prior to joining Macfarlanes, Rhind worked for HMRC.

    • Sophie has HMRC experience and knows how HMRC thinks - that's quite useful to inform how we approach things.

      Tax: Contentious respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Macfarlanes LLP (3)

UK-wide

Macfarlanes LLP has rankings in the following guides

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