CMS‘ disputes team works with the support of the firm’s substantial tax offering, catering to a prestige client base of multinationals, facing a range of complex disputes. The group takes an active role in thought leadership in the area. Stephen Hignett, who co-heads the broader tax team, leads the department. Sam Dames has particular strength in the financial services, infrastructure, and life sciences sectors.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A united team that manages cases efficiently and effectively on an independent basis.’

  • ‘Great attention to detail.’

  • ‘The tax litigation department at CMS is fully resourced and has multidisciplinary capacity and so is able to combine the in depth knowledge of tax law needed to conduct a tax dispute with the practical knowledge of procedure which is nowadays an essential part of fiscal dispute resolution.’

Key clients

  • SSE Generation Limited
  • UK Finance
  • Archax

Work highlights

  • Acted for SSE Generation Limited in its case before the Supreme Court concerning capital allowances claim on £200m of expenditure incurred when constructing the Glendoe hydroelectric power station.
  • Advised representatives of the UK banking and financial services industry on the legality of, and potential methods of challenge against, HMRC financial institution notices.
  • Advised Archax to successfully bring about a change to the “growth market” exemption under stamp tax legislation, as announced at the Autumn Statement 2023.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Stephen Hignett

Other key lawyers

Sam Dames