Tax: Contentious
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
Contact number
(020) 7054 2500About
Provided by Pinsent Masons
Our contentious tax team is widely considered pre-eminent. Among the team's many awards, the team has won 'Best Tax Team in a Law Firm' at the Taxation Awards 2015 and 'Best Indirect Tax Team in a Law Firm' 2016. The team boasts 60 fee earners, an exceptionally large team for a law firm, and is unique in its composition, including solicitors, accountants, chartered tax advisers, and former officers from HMRC. This range of perspectives within a single team gives us a powerful viewpoint from every angle.
The team is highly experienced in advising on both direct and indirect tax risk and have dealt with some of the most complex, and often cross-border, tax disputes and investigations. Our lawyers have acted for some of the world's biggest companies, yet are equally at home in acting for mid-market businesses and high net worth individuals. We have unparalleled experience in litigating across all taxes, and have acted on cases in the Tax Tribunal and higher courts, including the Supreme Court.
In addition to our client work, we have proven ourselves leaders in our field with an extensive programme of client seminars and conferences, including our renowned Annual Tax Risk Conference. We are frequently asked to speak at industry conferences and comment on tax issues in tax journals and the press. We also produce fortnightly editions of our own tax journal PM-Tax, which has a distribution of c.2000, to keep our clients up to date with the latest developments in the tax world.
Chambers Review
Pinsent Masons has a strong team that advises a number of large international clients on their disputes with HMRC. The firm has deep expertise in domestic and international tax legislation and is regarded highly for its ability to discreetly resolve conflicts before trial. Its lawyers frequently handle matters for clients within the financial, retail, energy and technology industries.
Work Highlights
- Pinsent Masons represents Centrica Overseas Holdings in the Supreme Court in a case concerning Section 1219 of the Corporation Tax Act, specifically how to identify expenses of management that are tax deductible.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Pinsent Masons have demonstrated a breadth of knowledge on multiple topics."
"Pinsent Masons have been massively helpful in obtaining an advantageous position for us in our dispute."
"The team is very experienced and gives clear guidance on the tribunal procedures and the technical issues involved with the appeals."
"Pinsent Masons have demonstrated a breadth of knowledge on multiple topics."
"Pinsent Masons have been massively helpful in obtaining an advantageous position for us in our dispute."
"The team is very experienced and gives clear guidance on the tribunal procedures and the technical issues involved with the appeals."
Notable Practitioners
Jake Landman works with corporate clients in disputes with tax authorities. His recent work includes advice on both direct and indirect tax litigation.
"Jake has very good client service and is insightful and willing to challenge the client."
"Jake tackles the most complex cases confidently and expertly."
Steven Porter is head of tax disputes and investigations at Pinsent Masons. He works with large corporates and individuals who are in dispute with HMRC.
"Steven is a very intellectually driven lawyer with a fantastic grasp of the pragmatic benefits to the client."