With a strong presence in the real estate sector, Clarke Willmott LLP's 'excellent' team has outstanding expertise in property structurings, de-enveloping issues, offshore property trading work and capital gains tax. In addition, the firm is well-known for advising clients on share incentive schemes, historic tax liabilities and negotiations with HMRC. Niall Murphy has over 30 years of experience in the field, encompassing the tax aspects of corporate, real estate and employment matters, as well as international tax planning work and tax litigation. Chris Connors, who joined the firm from Addleshaw Goddard in 2021, advises clients on all areas of corporate tax law.
Corporate tax in South East
Clarke Willmott LLP
Practice head(s):
Niall Murphy
Other key lawyers:
Chris Connors
Testimonials
‘Niall Murphy – proactive, clear and practical tax advice.’
‘Excellent taxation skillset.’
Key clients
Addnobe Group AB
Revive A Phone Limited
Panther Logistics
Code A Weld Group Limited
Navigate PR and Helix Media Pte
Wasserman Media Group
Work highlights
- Advised Addnobe on the tax aspects of the purchase of 60% of the shares in Excitech Limited and an option to purchase/sell the remaining 40% of the shares.
- Advised the shareholders of Revive A Phone on the tax aspects of its majority stake sale to Brightstar Corp.
- Advised the management of Panther Logistics on the tax aspects of its sale to US group AIT Worldwide Logistics.
Shoosmiths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP stands out due to its reputation for advising investors and target companies on the tax elements of enterprise investment schemes and venture capital trust compliant investments. It is also well-known for its strong real estate tax offering, which focuses on the tax structuring of acquisitions, disposals and various other transactions underpinning development projects. Tom Wilde , who heads up the firm's enterprise investment scheme and venture capital trusts tax practice, has a wealth of experience in corporate tax structuring work. Daniel Kennedy is also a core member of the team, and is best known for his wealth of experience in real estate tax mandates.
Practice head(s):
Tom Wilde
Other key lawyers:
Daniel Kennedy
Testimonials
‘Incisively commercial and extremely pragmatic with a keen awareness of HMRC developments, facilitating policy insights that many others simply cannot provide.’
‘Tom Wilde – commercial, pragmatic, accessible and just a generally sensible lawyer who we lean on heavily to navigate complex tax rules.’
‘Shoosmiths are by some distance the best we’ve used. This is in respect of both technical knowledge (which is outstanding) as well as their commerciality and ease of use.’
Key clients
INGKA Shopping Centres
Octopus Investments Limited
Shareholders of iSams Limited
Tanglewood Care Services Limited
Octopus Energy Limited
Equites Newlands (Hoyland) Limited
Calculus Capital Limited
Beringea LLP
MML Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Advising INGKA Shopping Centers on the tax and structuring implications of Ikea’s acquisition of the company, which owns Kings Mall Hammersmith.
- Advised Octopus Investments on its investment in Ori Biotech, a leading innovator in cell and gene therapy, as part of a $30m financing round.
- Advised the shareholders of iSams on the sale of iSams Limited, a schools’ management information systems provider, to IRIS Software Group.
Stevens & Bolton LLP
Stevens & Bolton LLP's 'pragmatic and technical' corporate tax department focuses primarily on advising SMEs and entrepreneurs in relation to exit tax planning work and the tax aspects of M&A transactions and equity investments. Kate Schmit is known for advising a broad spectrum of clients, with particular expertise in assisting entrepreneurs with navigating the regulatory regime with respect to tax law. Associate Sarah Balchin is also recommended for her expertise in corporate tax structuring issues and real estate tax. Former partner Jamie Crawford left to join Gateley Plc in February 2021.
Practice head(s):
Kate Schmit
Other key lawyers:
Sarah Balchin
Testimonials
‘Kate Schmit – excellent in all areas of corporate tax – responsive, commercial, cost-effective.’
‘I feel that the key people are direct, responsive, obviously competent, to the point and professional.’
‘In the tax practice I have mostly worked with Sarah Balchin who has embodied the practice strengths of being responsive, to the point and professional. The responsible partner Kate Schmit delegates well but is just as responsive and professional when she needs to be.’
Key clients
Ylem Group Limited
Beyond Corporate Limited
Ignition Law Services Limited
CANCOM UK Limited
Seal Software Limited
Zenitech
Pomodo Limited
Work highlights
- Advised longstanding client Seal Software in connection with its $188m sale to DocuSign.
- Advised the shareholders of Zenitech in relation to a sizeable investment by Sovereign Capital Partners in order to upscale the business.
- Assisted Ignition Law Services Limited with the sale of Mason & Cook to BigHand.
Field Seymour Parkes LLP
Field Seymour Parkes LLP is known for assisting clients with employee remuneration schemes, tax planning issues and negotiating tax indemnities and warranties. Rob Crowther is a go-to name for individuals seeking tax advice in relation to wills, trusts and asset protection matters. Sue Vandersteen also specialises in private wealth tax, and Ben Oliver focuses on tax planning work, specifically in relation to capital gains tax, income tax and inheritance tax.
Practice head(s):
Rob Crowther; Sue Vandersteen
Other key lawyers:
Ben Oliver