RPC acts for a range of clients, from SMEs to PLCs, on regulatory and compliance matters, as well as contentious issues, such as civil and criminal HMRC investigations, and litigation. Adam Craggs heads the practice with over 30 years’ experience in both direct and indirect tax dispute resolution mandates, including customs and excise disputes and is supported by Michelle Sloane, who has represented clients before the Tax Tribunals, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and CJEU; she acts for corporates and high-net-worth individuals. Robert Waterson is another contact for tax disputes, including those with multi-jurisdictional aspects, and the team was recently bolstered at the junior level with the arrival of Liam McKay, who joined as senior associate from HMRC Solicitor’s Office in May 2022.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'An outstanding team with a deep knowledge of customs and excise’

  • ‘Robert Waterson - a superb strategist with excellent client skills and remarkable attention to detail.'

  • 'Michelle Sloane - one of the few lawyers who can truly claim specialist expertise in customs and excise matters, she is a fount of knowledge’

Key clients

  • Frasers Group PLC (Sports Direct)
  • Universal Cycles Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advising a PLC on a high-value excise duty dispute concerning alcohol exports.
  • Representing Universal Cycles in a high-value dispute regarding Anti-Dumping Duty, Customs Duty and VAT.
  • Advising members of the Bonded Warehousekeepers Association on customs and excise duty issues.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
RPC
Partner. Michelle Sloane specialises in the resolution of tax disputes and white collar crime. She advises both corporates and individuals on complex tax enquiries, tax assessments and criminal investigations. Michelle has particular expertise in relation to VAT, and customs and excise duty disputes. Michelle has in-depth experience of high value appeals at all levels including before the Tax Tribunals, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Court of Justice of the European Union. Her expertise includes Judicial Review proceedings scrutinising HMRC’s conduct. She also advises those facing HMRC criminal investigations, allegations of participating in missing trader intra-community fraud and assists clients manage urgent issues such as HMRC "dawn raids". Before moving to the UK in 2006, Michelle worked for the New Zealand government as a tax investigator and legal adviser to the tax investigations team where she gained valuable insight into the decision making process of revenue authorities.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Adam Craggs

Other key lawyers

Michelle Sloane, Robert Waterson, Liam McKay