Tax: Contentious
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(0)330 460 7000Chambers Review
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.
Work Highlights
- Fieldfisher advised L Rowland on challenging HMRC's decision to reclassify self-employed pharmacists as employed persons.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They explain complicated tax issues in a simple way, with commercially focused advice, and are excellent when put in front of C-suite executives on these issues."
"They dive deep to achieve a total grasp of the facts and have the ability to mobilise to handle a high volume of individual settlements and to build and utilise a solid relationship with HMRC."
"They explain complicated tax issues in a simple way, with commercially focused advice, and are excellent when put in front of C-suite executives on these issues."
"They dive deep to achieve a total grasp of the facts and have the ability to mobilise to handle a high volume of individual settlements and to build and utilise a solid relationship with HMRC."
Notable Practitioners
George Gillham is head of contentious tax at Fieldfisher. He advises on a range of contentious tax matters including income tax and National Insurance.
"George is very thorough and doesn't take anything for granted."
"Rarely if ever have clients been so well served by their lawyers as we have been by George."
Philippe Freund is a barrister with a wealth of experience guiding clients through HMRC investigations and disputes. His client base includes high net worth individuals, and he regularly advises them on tax issues relating to trusts.
"Philippe knew what tone he needed and when, and could communicate with a whole host of people; he was really amazing."
"Philippe has deep knowledge and is so easy to get along with."
"Philippe has a detailed understanding of German and French tax litigation and I would recommend him for cross-border work."
Derek Hill is a partner at Fieldfisher. He advises corporate clients and high-profile individuals on tax disputes.
"Derek's leadership and mastery of our dispute was exemplary. He has a huge number of very grateful clients ever in his debt."
Matthew Sharp is a contentious tax specialist who stands out for his work on matters involving taxes related to employment.
"Matthew is technically astute on tax issues, but more importantly, his advice is commercially focused and always solution-driven."
"Matthew is a real rising star. He has real expertise in employment tax and understands technical legal resources. He is very personable on long cases."
"He has got a deep knowledge of his subject and will explain things to me that I don't know."
Ben Webster regularly advises clients on disputes with HMRC. He works with both individuals and corporations.
"Ben is fantastic to work with, as well as being very good at his job. He is very friendly, approachable and a real pleasure to work with."
"Ben was always really good and is a smart lawyer."
Ranked Lawyers at
Fieldfisher
UK-wide