The Legal 500 UK praised us for our "responsive and proactive" approach and we apply this philosophy across all international, structuring and tax advisory work we do.

We cover the full range from business and company sales and group restructurings, through to real estate and financing transactions, funds, private wealth and tax disputes. 

Our tax practice:

• M&A and tax structuring
• Funds, private equity and investment management
• Real estate tax
• Corporate and asset finance
• Tax disputes
• VAT and cross border tax planning
• Employment tax and share schemes
• Private wealth and family office

We are a very international tax practice and are used to coordinating tax advice in multiple jurisdictions.

"They provide sensible, pragmatic and commercial solutions, which is what you really want."
Chambers UK 2021

Acadia Healthcare

Advised on the £1.3+ billion public takeover of the Priory Group by US healthcare group Acadia. The tax group regularly advises on public markets transactions including takeovers, IPOs, secondary fund raisings and schemes of reconstruction.

HC-One

Advised on £300 million acquisition of 122 care homes from Bupa, drawing on our in-depth knowledge of the health care sector and expertise across all corporate taxes, VAT and stamp duties.

Engie

Advised on £330 million acquisition of the Keepmoat regeneration business from private equity sellers Sun Capital and TDR. We advised on all tax aspects of this major acquisition for long-standing client Engie.

Bowmark Capital

Advised this private equity group on numerous transactions including the acquisition of insurance brokers Lark Group and the acquisition of internet solutions provider Ask4.

Transport for London – Crossrail

Advised on the structuring and tax aspects of the £15 billion Crossrail infrastructure project, including corporation tax, capital allowances, SDLT and VAT.

Lloyds and RBS

Advised on all tax aspects of the sale of a large portfolio of leased rolling stock to Beacon UK Rail Leasing. This was a significant transaction that allowed us to leverage our specialist knowledge in the transportation and leasing sectors, across both direct and indirect taxes.

An International Shipping Group

Advised on optimum ownership and financing structure for UK shipping operations within the tonnage tax regime. Our tax department and the wider firm are acknowledged as market leaders in the shipping sector.

The Langham Estate

We advised this long-standing client on a £540 million property refinancing and wider group structuring and group tax matters. We regularly advise on high value corporate and real estate financing arrangements as well as group tax planning.

SEA Holdings Limited

Advised this Hong Kong listed group on its £258 million acquisition of 33 Old Broad Street, a prime London commercial property that was held through a Jersey corporate structure. We also advised on subsequent group restructuring steps.

Lasalle Investment Management

Advised Lasalle on behalf of two pension fund investors on their £148 million acquisition of an interest in a new joint venture with intu (a UK REIT) in relation to the intu Chapelfield shopping centre.

Schroder-managed property funds

We regularly act for Schroder-managed property funds in relation to both real estate and fund level tax matters. We acted for Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust on its conversion to a UK REIT, Schroder UK Real Estate Fund on its £153 million acquisition of Hammersmith Kings Mall Shopping Centre and three Schroder-managed funds on the structuring of a joint venture acquisition of City Tower, Manchester for £132 million.

LXI Reit plc

Advised on the launch of this UK REIT, as well as numerous property transactions and a group restructuring drawing on our expertise across real estate, corporate and funds taxation.

Henderson investment trusts

Advised three Henderson-managed investment trusts on a liquidation scheme of arrangement allowing investors of the liquidating fund to choose to roll their investment in an efficient manner into two other investment trusts.

P2P Global Investments

Structuring and launch of the first UK investment trust specialising in investments in the peer to peer lending sector. We have a market-leading funds practice and a deep knowledge of fund related tax matters.

SQN Asset Finance Income Fund

We advised on the structuring and launch of this investment fund specialising in asset finance and leasing investments. We regularly advise on the direct and indirect tax aspects of new investments for the fund, drawing on the tax group's breadth of experience in relation to leasing and asset finance.

High net worth individuals

Our international private wealth team regularly advises high net worth individuals and family offices in relation to personal tax and private wealth matters, residence, succession planning, real estate structures, trusts, foundations and similar arrangements.

Complex estate administration

Obtained probate and advised on the administration of a high value and complex estate involving multi-jurisdictional issues. Our advice covered the implications of the EU Succession Regulation and renvoi on the succession law which governed devolution of the intestate estate and the resulting inheritance tax position.

High net worth family resident in the UK and US

Advised on the termination of a family trust based in Jersey with beneficiaries in the UK and the US, in the most tax efficient manner for both jurisdictions, maximising the amount received by each beneficiary.

Family Office

Advised a family office on the establishment of English and Hong Kong charities and the tax aspects of a US$100+ million charitable donation.

Share schemes and employee remuneration

We provide specialist advice to listed and private companies on the implementation and ongoing operation of employee share schemes and remuneration structures, including all tax, regulatory and corporate aspects.

Tax litigation

We regularly advise in relation to high value and complex tax disputes with HMRC including managing large-scale HMRC interventions, negotiating settlements and litigation. This has included complex leasing and structured finance arrangements, cross-border tax issues, offshore trusts and assets as well as VAT and SDLT enquiries. Our experienced team is able to manage the process from start to finish in order to achieve the best outcomes for our clients.