England - London • Dispute resolution
Fieldfisher
Fieldfisher‘s growing team of ’excellent’ lawyers covers the full range of contentious tax, including tax disclosures, Tribunal litigation, judicial reviews, and professional negligence. The group is highly international, and contains multiple HMRC-trained practitioners. Team lead George Gillham, who is a former HMRC tax inspector, covers both tax enquiries and litigation. Derek Hill, who is head of the firm’s tax group, has a broad practice which covers both contentious and non-contentious matters. Barrister Philippe Freund has expertise in cross border matters and criminal tax. Matthew Sharp specialises in employment tax disputes. Associate and barrister Christopher Kientzler is a further name to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A strong and symbiotic relationship between the members of the team who specialise in tax investigations and dealing directly with the HMRC, on the one hand, and those who are able to handle related litigation with third parties.’
‘Matthew Sharp is an up-and-coming associate who will go far.’
‘George Gillham is a stand-out tax lawyer: hugely knowledgeable, wonderful client manner, and a strong strategic sense of how to resolve disputes.’
‘It is a multijurisdictional team of excellent lawyers qualified for cross-border tax disputes from private clients to EU-law or transfer pricing.’
‘Philippe Freund and Christopher Kienzler are both excellent at analysing the situation, defining the strategy, and negotiating very skilfully. Experience and power in the interest of clients.’
‘George Gilham is excellent in tax investigations cases. He has extensive experience in both criminal and civil cases. He is very knowledgeable and good with clients.’
'This is a team which undoubtedly has strengths in EU related work which set it above its peers, particularly in relation to indirect and direct taxation and duties.'
Key clients
- Alternative Resolution Consultancy LLP and Eclipse Film Partners LLPs
- L Rowland & Co (Retail) Limited (Phoenix Medical)
- Exchequer Solutions Limited
- Sunrise Medical Ltd, TGA Mobility Limited, Drive Devilbiss Healthcare Limited, Electric Mobility Euro Limited, Freerider Luggie Limited
- Sunrise Medical B.V. & Sunrise Medical Logistics B.V.
- Hoegh Capital Partners
- Aramark Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Alternative Resolution Consultancy LLP and Eclipse Film Partners LLPs on obtaining a tax settlement opportunity for HMRC to settle the tax affairs of over 700 partners for around £100m, replacing a dry tax charge of £1.6bn.
- Advised Hoegh Capital Partners on multiple disclosures to HMRC through the Worldwide Disclosure Facility and other channels and a professional negligence claim against former accountants and solicitors who acted for them, worth approximately £25m.
- Advised Rowland & Co in relation to an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against assessments to income tax and national insurance determinations in a dispute over the employment status of locum pharmacists worth approximately £60m.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
George Gillham