Tax disputes can be disruptive, time-consuming, and business critical. Shoosmiths’ contentious tax team helps clients navigate these challenges with confidence — from the first HMRC enquiry to tribunal hearings and negotiated settlements.

We act for corporates, high-net-worth individuals, and other organisations on direct and indirect tax matters. Our team includes chartered tax advisers, litigators, and accredited mediators, offering a seamless service across compliance checks, information notices, penalty mitigation, and appeals.

We also handle tax-related professional negligence claims and disputes over tax warranties or covenants. Where tax issues intersect with insolvency, regulation, or commercial litigation, we collaborate with our specialists to deliver joined-up advice.

Whether you’re already working with accountants or in-house finance teams, we add legal firepower and strategic clarity — helping set the right tone with HMRC and ensuring statutory powers are not overstepped. Our goal is always to resolve disputes efficiently, pragmatically, and in line with your wider business objectives.

• defending Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claims following HMRC challenge

• resolving a dispute as to whether transfer of a business as a going concern (TOGC) treatment had been correctly applied to a property sale

• handling claims for professional negligence against tax advisers, reaching satisfactory settlement at mediation without proceedings being issued

• making a successful hardship application and appealing to the tax tribunal in respect of VAT and customs duties

• mitigating penalty assessments and agreeing penalty suspension conditions with HMRC for a client with multiple historic tax mistakes

• acting for Ingenious Media (producer of major films such as Life of Pi and Avatar) in relation to one of the most high-profile and complex tax cases ever litigated in England.