Tax Dispute Solicitors

Tax disputes are often complex, time consuming and reputationally sensitive. Early, strategic advice can make a decisive difference to outcome, cost and disruption.

Our specialist UK tax disputes solicitors, based in London, advise individuals, families, trustees, businesses and employers on managing and resolving tax disputes efficiently, discreetly and with clear strategic oversight. We act at every stage of the dispute lifecycle, from early risk assessment through to settlement or litigation.

What are tax disputes and how are they resolved?

When we talk about tax disputes, we mean more than tax litigation with HMRC. Our work includes proactive tax reviews and risk assessments, voluntary disclosures, HMRC enquiries and investigations, alternative dispute resolution and settlement, and proceedings before the tax tribunal and courts.

Our tax investigation solicitors also advise on disputes and claims arising from tax-driven decisions, including professional negligence claims, trustee disputes, mistake and rectification claims, and matters where tax risk intersects with confidentiality and reputation management.

We advise on a wide range of domestic and international tax disputes, including HMRC enquiries and investigations, double taxation and foreign tax credit issues, contentious trust and estate matters and high-stakes cases where discretion, coordination and reputational protection are critical.

Why choose Farrer & Co?

Our tax disputes practice brings together expertise from private client, corporate tax, contentious trusts, reputation management and commercial disputes into a single, coordinated team.

As HMRC scrutiny has increased and disputes are more frequently international in nature, this integrated approach allows us to provide joined-up advice and a clear strategy across tax risk, tax litigation and reputational exposure. We regularly project manage complex disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions, acting as a central point of coordination between advisers, tax authorities and counsel in different countries.

We act for:

private individuals and families facing HMRC enquiries, disclosures, or international personal tax disputes;
trustees, fiduciaries and personal representatives in contentious trust and estate matters;
businesses and employers dealing with compliance checks, tax investigations, or employment-related tax issues; and
high-profile individuals, families, and organisations with global interests where discretion and reputation management are paramount.

Our tax disputes solicitors’ expertise

We support clients through every stage of a dispute, including:

Tax risk assessment and early intervention: Identifying exposure to tax authority challenge, assessing reputational and regulatory risk, and implementing strategies to manage or mitigate issues before they escalate.

HMRC and international tax authority enquiries and investigations: Advising on voluntary disclosures, responding to HMRC enquiries and compliance checks, and coordinating responses to parallel investigations by multiple tax authorities.
Contentious trusts, estates, rectification and mistake claims: Advising trustees, beneficiaries and personal representatives on tax-driven trust and estate disputes, including disputes arising from trustee decisions, offshore structures, excluded property and cross-border succession.
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and settlement: Using ADR where appropriate to achieve quicker and more cost-effective outcomes and exploring settlement strategies across jurisdictions to avoid unnecessary litigation.
Tax litigation and tribunal representation: Acting for clients in UK tax litigation and tax tribunal proceedings and advising on foreign tax litigation alongside overseas advisers. We manage litigation risk carefully where proceedings arise in more than one jurisdiction.

Protecting your reputation

Tax disputes can attract unwanted scrutiny from regulators, stakeholders and the media. We work discreetly and proactively to resolve matters efficiently, minimising disruption and reputational risk. Our integrated tax and reputation management expertise ensures sensitive, cross-border disputes are handled with appropriate oversight.

Contact our Tax Disputes team

If you are facing a UK or international tax dispute, HMRC enquiry or investigation, contact our team today to discuss your situation in confidence.

FAQs

What triggers an HMRC investigation or enquiry?

HMRC enquiries can follow returns, data‑matching, third‑party information, or targeted campaigns. Triggers often include inconsistencies, unusual patterns, complex transactions or prior history. Early legal input helps manage scope, ensure accurate responses and prevent unnecessary escalation.

Should I make a voluntary disclosure to HMRC?

Voluntary disclosures can reduce penalties and demonstrate cooperation, but timing and content are critical. We assess exposure, prepare the factual narrative and mitigation, and engage with HMRC to secure the most favourable outcome while protecting legal privilege where available.

When is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) appropriate?

ADR is effective where issues are defined but positions have hardened. A neutral mediator helps parties explore options, narrow issues and reach a practical resolution without the cost and risk of litigation. We assess suitability, draft position papers and represent you throughout.

What happens at the tax tribunal?

The tribunal is an independent forum that determines disputes with HMRC. We manage pleadings, evidence, expert input and advocacy, while exploring settlement opportunities. Clear case strategy, early issue‑narrowing and disciplined evidence handling are key to outcomes and cost control.

How long does a tax dispute take to resolve?

Timeframes vary by complexity, cooperation and chosen route. Some enquiries close within months; ADR can accelerate outcomes; litigation may take longer. Early scoping, strong documentation, and proactive engagement typically shorten the process and reduce cost and uncertainty.

What should I do if HMRC contacts me?

Act promptly, keep correspondence, and seek legal advice before responding substantively. We assess HMRC’s requests, protect your position and manage communications to avoid unnecessary admissions or scope creep, while moving towards a pragmatic resolution.