Tax: Contentious
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7851 8888About
Provided by Joseph Hage Aaronson LLP
JHA's tax team is led by Graham Aaronson KC, Simon Whitehead, Paul Farmer, Michael Anderson, Iain McWhannell, Helen McGhee and Richard Doran. All are supported by in-house lawyers who combine the best qualities of the bar and a law firm to deliver a cohesive approach to advising and representing clients through all stages of a dispute.
Our lawyers have experience across all the domestic courts and tribunal system, from the First-tier Tribunal to the Supreme Court. We also represent clients in references to the European Court of Justice and high-value tax disputes in foreign jurisdictions.
JHA are lead and test-case solicitors in almost all corporation tax GLOs, which bring together High Court claims made by multinational corporations. These ground-breaking claims challenge various elements of UK tax legislation and are at the forefront of the development of law in the post-Brexit environment.
JHA has a strong reputation for our tax fraud/abuse and tax investigations work, including our role as lead and test case solicitors in the largest VAT Group Litigation that has ever taken place in the Tax Tribunal.
Our team has been active in the highest-profile and value disputes of recent years, notably those involving Diverted Profits tax, and are proficient at reaching settlements, including significant penalty reductions.
JHA also represents entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses on sensitive or complex tax disputes and individuals facing enquiries and criminal investigations.
Chambers Review
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.
Work Highlights
- Joseph Hage Aaronson represented British American Tobacco in the lead test case in the long-running Franked Investment Income Group Litigation.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team are extremely thorough, well organised and able to communicate complex points of law very well."
"Joseph Hage Aaronson is the leading tax practice in the country."
"They are superstars."
"They have a very deep knowledge of the complex area of tax legislation and long-running litigation."
"Their ability to explain the situation is superb. JHA makes a very complex and stressful situation easy to understand. The team are absolutely superb; they are very helpful and knowledgeable."
"The team are extremely thorough, well organised and able to communicate complex points of law very well."
"Joseph Hage Aaronson is the leading tax practice in the country."
"They are superstars."
"They have a very deep knowledge of the complex area of tax legislation and long-running litigation."
"Their ability to explain the situation is superb. JHA makes a very complex and stressful situation easy to understand. The team are absolutely superb; they are very helpful and knowledgeable."
Notable Practitioners
Paul Farmer is highly respected for his deep knowledge of international tax disputes and ability to advise on investigations by international tax agencies. He has experience acting before UK courts and the CJEU, and is considered a specialist in EU law.
"Paul continually delivers sophisticated solutions to complex problems."
"Paul farmer is an absolute expert on EU tax matters and has an uncanny ability to make sense of difficult case law."
Graham Aaronson KC is widely seen as one of the foremost contentious tax practitioners in the market. He expertly handles significant EU law-based tax claims and group litigation.
"Graham's ability to deliver complex arguments simply in court is outstanding."
"Graham is hugely experienced and an expert in his technical knowledge, and his expertise is second to none. He is very considered in his approach."
Simon Whitehead is a highly respected litigator who is able to advise on actions against UK and European tax authorities. Group litigation is a key strength, and he regularly works for corporates on GLOs.
"Simon is an authority on the tax legislation affecting our claims and I would consider him the leading expert in this area."
"Simon's litigation management is outstanding."
Michael Anderson frequently represents clients in individual actions and group litigation orders, challenging unlawful taxation and tax recovery matters. He works on cases at both the domestic and European levels.
"Michael is very organised and good with the team."
Iain MacWhannell advises clients on a broad range of tax disputes but is best known for his work on large-scale group litigation.
"Iain is a brilliant and approachable lawyer who always provides a well-measured comment."
"Iain delivers a faultless level of service and is extremely personable while being steadfast in his commitment to achieving the correct result for his clients."
"Words do no justice to the level of knowledge, service and quality Iain brings to the table."
"Iain is very flexible in his approach to working. He is super responsive and emphasises the commerciality of a matter."
Ranked Lawyers at
Joseph Hage Aaronson LLP
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Joseph Hage Aaronson LLP
Daniel Margolin KC
Emma Chamberlain OBE
Grace Webster
Helen McGhee
Joe Irwin
John Hayton
Julia Glukhikh
Lynnette Bober
Megan Durnford
Ray McCann
Richard Doran
Steve Bousher
Thomas Hemming