For fifteen years, Rupert has navigated complex HMRC discussions and tax litigation for corporates, individuals and pension funds, and is the leader of our Tax Disputes team in the UK and Europe.
Beyond navigation, Rupert provides technical knowledge in areas many group tax functions have not needed to develop themselves: taxpayer rights and HMRC powers, tax statutory interpretation, tax public law, tax-related evidence and procedure. His commercial approach has made him a valuable extension to in-house tax teams on a wide-range of projects.
He is one of a small handful of UK advisers with experience of challenging tax which discriminates against cross-border structures (a breach of EU law). He also helps eliminate tax charges on unintended events or where the documents do not tell the full story, advising taxpayers and persuading HMRC. As well as astute advice on disputes in tax, Rupert deals with tax in disputes, helping commercial claimants and defendants understand and minimize the impact of tax on their litigation.
Rupert has worked full-time in HMRC disputes since before it became a real discipline, and has been recognized for many years as a leader in his field. He worked for many years with ex-HMRC officers and chartered tax advisers in a Big 4 environment before returning to practice in an international law firm.
Education and admissions
Education
Bachelor of Civil Law (First), University of Oxford, 1996
MA, Law (First), University of Cambridge, 1994
CEDR, Accredited Mediator
Memberships
Chartered Institute of Taxation, EU & Human Rights sub-committee
Chartered Institute of Taxation, Management of Taxes sub-committee
Confédération Fiscale Européene, UK delegate
UK delegate Confederation Fiscale Europeene