VAT and indirect tax
With three partners and eight fee-earners in total, Clifford Chance is a market leader in the field of VAT and indirect tax. The ‘proactive and responsive’ team provides a level of service which clients deem ‘very high’. Securitisation and real estate finance matters are recognised strengths. Etienne Wong and David Saleh are highly regarded by peers and clients alike.
Lovells LLP boasts a leading indirect tax practice with particular expertise in contentious matters. It is advising LMUK, which operates the Nectar card loyalty scheme, in a referral to the European Court of Justice which could have wide-reaching implications. Greg Sinfield is ‘business-oriented’ and ‘the perfect adviser’.
Allen & Overy LLP is rated ‘very highly’ by clients who are impressed by its ‘commercial approach’. Securitisation and outsourcing transactions are particular strengths. Highlights include advising Capital International in connection with the VAT treatment of fund management fees. Peter Mendham is recommended.
Despite the departure of Alan Sinyor, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP remains strong in indirect tax matters. Clients include General Motors, National Grid, Reed Elsevier and Rolls-Royce. Robert Kent is recommended.
Herbert Smith LLP’s practice covers the full range of indirect taxes including less well-known duties such as the climate change levy and insurance premium tax. Contentious matters are a particular strength. It advised the Federation of Tour Operators on a challenge to the legality of the changes to air passenger duty. Neil Warriner is highly regarded by clients and peers alike.
With an excellent corporate tax team, Linklaters LLP also has significant indirect tax capability. It advised Visa Europe on its US$18bn IPO, a deal involving difficult indirect tax issues. Martin Lynchehan is well regarded.
Macfarlanes LLP is held ‘in the highest regard’ by clients, who include ING Real Estate, Virgin, Pernod Ricard and E.ON. Mark Baldwin is ‘highly knowledgeable’.
Olswang boasts significant expertise in gambling tax and SDLT as part of a broader indirect practice. It is advising the BBC in connection with VAT issues arising from the implementation of the digital switchover help scheme. MarkJoscelyne is ‘commercial, technically solid and clear’.
Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP continues its aggressive expansion in the tax market with the hire of VAT guru Alan Sinyor from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. The firm is advising Tesco on its ongoing £5bn programme of releasing value from its UK property portfolio. John Overs and Cathryn Vanderspar are praised for their ‘technical knowledge, communication and friendly, open way of working’.
Eversheds LLP strengthened its indirect tax team with the hire of Clive Jones from Clifford Chance. Real estate is a particular strength and the firm is developing an urban regeneration tax practice, including instructions from London Thames Gateway Development Corporation on the regeneration of two key areas of the Thames Gateway. Alan Connell is recommended.
Stephenson Harwood is a market leader in tonnage tax, and also has a significant real estate and financial services practice. It advised St Martins Property Investments on the £400m acquisition of the Willis Building. Practice head Hugo Jenney is the name to note.
Baker & McKenzie LLP’s indirect tax team has particular strength in the technology sector and in cross-border work. Clients say it provides ‘a remarkable service’. Mark Delaney is well regarded.
CMS Cameron McKenna LLP provides clients with an ‘excellent service’. Financial services and property are key sectors, and it is advising Northern Rock on VAT recoveries and strategy for surplus development property. Peter Mason is recommended.
DLA Piper UK LLP has a strong contentious practice, and is also recommended for real estate and international matters. It is acting for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in agreeing the VAT treatment of their services. Richard Woolich is highly thought of.
Dechert LLP has expertise in the funds and property fields, and continues to advise Blackfriars Investments Limited and its clients on a range of property VAT issues. Mark Stapleton is recommended.
Well known for its contentious tax expertise, Dorsey & Whitney ‘provides a high level of service and responsiveness’. Paul Farmer is ‘particularly attentive to the needs of his clients’.
Mayer Brown International LLP offers ‘a good combination of commercial acumen and legal expertise’. Clients include Canary Wharf Group, Unilever, Allied Irish Bank and RBS. Peter Steiner is ‘a great personality, with a great depth of knowledge’.
Strong in all contentious tax matters, McGrigors LLP acted for the respondent in the Court of Appeal in HMRC v Weald Leasing Limited, an important VAT case which has been referred to the ECJ. James Bullock and Jason Collins are the names to note.
Rising a tier, Nabarro LLP has a very good SDLT practice and is developing significant expertise on climate change levy matters. It acted for Climate Change Capital Limited in connection with the launch of its first real estate fund which invests in sustainable real estate and raised £50m. Michael Cant is well regarded.
Peters & Peters’ practice focuses on contentious matters and investigations by HMRC. It acted in an appeal for a number of UK telecoms corporations concerning the HMRC’s refusal to repay more than £30m of VAT arising from the export of mobile phones. Sarah Gabriel and Monty Raphael are praised by clients.
Rising a tier, SJ Berwin LLP provides clients with ‘practical and commercial advice’. Particularly strong in real estate and SDLT, Heather Corben is recommended.
Also rising a tier, Simmons & Simmons ‘fields a strong team of tax lawyers’. It is advising Nationwide Building Society on the VAT issues relating to a new agreement for the supply of cash to its ATM machines in England and Wales. Paul Hale heads the VAT practice, and Nick Cronkshaw is ‘very knowledgeable and sensible’.