England - London • Corporate and commercial
2

VAT and indirect tax

RPC

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RPC has an ‘extremely hard working and disciplined team’ that supports clients across the full range tax disputes, encompassing the whole spectrum of VAT and indirect tax work, including mandates with multi-jurisdictional elements. The group has also witnessed in increase in judicial review cases against HMRC, as well as investigations. Adam Craggs chairs the team with significant experience in tax disputes involving VAT fraud. Robert Waterson is another tax dispute expert, having represented clients before all levels of the UK courts and Tax Tribunals, as well as the CJEU. In team news, senior associate Liam McKay joined the team in June 2022 from HMRC.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘RPC is an absolutely phenomenal firm. It is second-to-none in terms of the full service it can offer to large multinational clients, and small clients alike. It has a broad range of specialisms, particularly in tax, where it can offer value for money.'
  • 'They are an extremely hard working and disciplined team, with an extraordinary ability to achieve great results for their clients, long before a contentious dispute arises. Even when a contentious dispute arises, they are formidable in trying to secure the best result. They have strategic awareness which is second to none.’

  • 'Adam Craggs is a master of technical tax. He is gifted and easy to get along with. He really understands the needs of his clients to help them achieve the best outcome he can.'

  • 'Michelle Sloane provides an absolutely brilliant service in the indirect tax and criminal tax cross-over space. She is a one-stop-shop to ensure that the client's needs are being met, and that they are insulated from any associated criminal proceedings that may be being considered by HMRC. She is feared for her strategic brilliance, and can outmanoeuvre even the most savvy opponent.'
  • 'Alice Kemp is the most enthusiastic and hard working individual that a client could hope to have. She is like a blood hound scouting out forensically important evidence that are game changers for her clients.'

  • ‘Outstanding team with excellent knowledge across VAT and other indirect taxes, alongside a wealth of experience in litigating in the Tax Tribunals and appeal courts.'

  • ‘Robert Waterson is a superb strategist and a client favourite with an eye for overall strategy, as well as being all over the detail.'

  • 'Michelle Sloane is deeply experienced and knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with.'

Key clients

  • Metropolitan International School Ltd
  • TSB plc
  • Universal Cycles

Work highlights

  • Representing TSB in a VAT dispute regarding a transitional services agreement following the bank's split with Lloyds.
  • Acting for the Metropolitan International Schools Ltd in an appeal before the First-tier Tribunal regarding a VAT dispute with HMRC concerning the supply of blended distance learning courses for the VAT periods 2015-2017 – value £10m.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Robert Waterson
RPC
Robert is a highly experienced regulatory disputes lawyer specialising in tax disputes, regulatory investigations and public law challenges. He acts for a broad range of clients from FTSE100 companies and HNW individuals to SMEs and not-for-profit organisations. Practice Areas: Multi-jurisdictional tax investigations and enquiries Group Litigation (High Court and Tribunals) Administrative Law / Judicial Review (claimant and defendant) Anti-Dumping Duty and Customs Disputes VAT and Direct Tax Disputes Tax Related Criminal investigations / Prosecutions Anti-Money Laundering Sanctions Alternative Dispute Resolution / Mediation  Robert has litigated at all levels of the UK courts and tribunals and the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Michelle Sloane
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

Robert Waterson, Keziah Mastin, Michelle Sloane, Constantine Christofi, Harry Smith, Alice Kemp

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Registered company in England & Wales No. 2423756 VAT 324572722

Registered address: 188 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2AG