Real Estate
United Kingdom
20 August 2025
The Simmons & Simmons VAT and indirect tax practice is well versed in matters involving VAT, landfill tax, customs duties, IPT, and the carbon border adjustment mechanism. At the forefront of the practice is Jo Crookshank, who is an expert in HMRC disputes, especially those involving the financial services, technology, media and telecoms sector. Richard Harvey is a key name for tax controversy, and Katie Oliver is known for her VAT advisory work.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Very technically able and bright team - great to work with, and their clients really like them.’
‘Jo Crookshank is a really first-rate tax partner - extremely knowledgeable with deep expertise. Heather Rowlands has tonnes of experience, in particular in VAT and dispute resolution. Katie Oliver is an extremely able senior associate - really one to watch.’
‘I am very pleased with the support I have been getting from Simmons & Simmons. They are providing us with tax support for a number of new energy projects and their attention to detail, market knowledge, responsiveness and overall willingness to take on complex matters and provide quick turnover is exceptional.’
‘We have been working mostly with Joao Martinho and Jo Crooskshank, and we are very impressed by both. They are always very approachable, easy to work with, very responsive and demonstrate a market knowledge that is above what I would expect from a law firm. They have provided us with sound legal advice but also with innovative solutions.’
Key clients
- UBS
- Augean
- Willis Towers Watson
Work highlights
Advised UBS as the arranger in a carbon finance transaction.
Acting for Augean in ‘test case’ appeals relating to the landfill tax liability of waste from numerous industrial processes.
Practice head
Jo Crookshank
Other key lawyers
Richard Harvey; Katie Oliver; Heather Rowlands; Joao Martinho