Tax: Contentious | UK

Baker McKenzie has a respected disputes team that consists of lawyers and non-legal specialists such as accountants. The team has significant experience in transfer pricing and VAT disputes. The firm has additional strength in handling diverted profits tax matters and European state aid investigations. International tax disputes are a particular area of strength, and the team is regularly sought out for advice on complex multi-jurisdictional matters.

Freshfields provides a full-service contentious tax offering with noted experience advising on high-value disputes involving issues such as transfer pricing. Its impressive clientele includes notable global companies, and it is well known for its handling of complex matters in international markets. The team has additional sector expertise within the energy sector and for financial institutions.

Joseph Hage Aaronson has high-quality expertise in UK and EU tax disputes. It has a dedicated team made up of highly regarded specialists in tax litigation, noted for their comprehensive grasp of tax issues, including regular work on group litigation orders. The firm services a number of key clients in the financial services, media, manufacturing and retail sectors. The team is proficient in acting for individuals, as well as high-profile multinational organisations, and has strong overseas expertise in acting for a variety of international companies on cross-border matters including fund disputes and tax fraud.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has a strong tax litigation group that is known for the wide range of issues it tackles for its clients, including cross-border and UK-focused tax disputes. Its lawyers are able to advise on private wealth-related tax disputes, in addition to VAT, SDLT and customs duty disputes. The firm offers clients in-depth commercial knowledge of tax law in the energy, finance and real estate sectors.

KPMG Law has a dedicated team of solicitors and barristers able to provide a full-service tax offering. The team frequently appears at all levels of the court system, from the First-tier Tribunal to the Supreme Court. VAT disputes are a key strength, and the team is equally comfortable advising on litigation touching on double taxation or group relief.

Fieldfisher has a versatile team that offers advice on all areas of contentious tax, including HMRC investigations relating to tax avoidance. The firm represents high-profile clients in courts, in tax tribunals and at a European level. The team advises clients from manufacturing, healthcare, retail and financial services sectors. Its lawyers are experienced in tax matters involving customs duty, VAT and cross-border trust structures.

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.

Stewarts has a broad team of tax litigators supporting corporate and individual clients in both direct and indirect tax disputes. The firm's areas of expertise include litigation relating to tax avoidance schemes, the tax treatment of employee benefits, and VAT.

BCLP represents a range of corporate clients in complex tax disputes. The team is able to provide extensive guidance in cases concerning VAT and corporation tax, as well as on international and cross-border taxes.

Hogan Lovells is home to some impressive contentious tax lawyers, who advise corporate clients on a range of work. The firm is highly capable across an array of areas including VAT.

Kingsley Napley acts for individual taxpayers and corporate clients on tax disputes. The team works on matters pertaining to a range of taxes including VAT and R&D.

Mishcon de Reya is known for its work with both individuals and corporate clients. As well as its work on VAT disputes, the team also advises businesses and individuals on IR35.

Osborne Clarke stands out for its contentious tax work for clients in the technology sector. It has further specialist knowledge when it comes to tax issues faced by clients operating in the gig economy or with a temporary workforce.

Quinn Emanuel is a litigation boutique with a strong tax disputes practice. The firm is known for its work for large international corporates on complex domestic and cross-border matters. The team is equally capable when advising on disputes relating to direct and indirect tax.