Our HMRC investigation lawyers have an impressive track record for our work in HMRC investigations into tax fraud and money laundering.

We have advised and defended in some of the largest, most complex and novel investigations and prosecutions into tax fraud. In every case, we consider whether a criminal case can be diverted away from prosecution to a civil settlement. We work closely with forensic accountants who are expert in reconstructing historic tax liabilities.

We also have expertise of acting for professional clients and businesses caught up in investigations by HMRC or the Revenue and Customs division of the CPS. For example, our lawyers have advised both individuals and institutions in the financial services sector who have been compelled by statutory powers to provide information to HMRC.

We also advise businesses and business people about investigations by HMRC into breaches of the money laundering regulations and money laundering.

Our tax fraud lawyers have recently advised on the following matters:

• Conducting an internal investigation into a group company in which several of the executives had been accused of tax fraud. The outcome of our investigation caused the criminal investigation to be dropped.
• Advising a suspect in  film tax credit scheme investigations in which we persuaded HMRC not to bring any criminal charges in return for a financial settlement.
• An employer in a multi-million-pound case concerning the alleged underpayment of the taxes of building workers on a major construction project.
• Representing a client in the first negotiated plea agreement with the CPS under the Attorney General’s Guidelines for Plea Discussions in Serious Fraud cases involving over £1.5 million of VAT reclaims.
• Advising former Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone in the fraud prosecution brought by HMRC against him as a result of a previous Code of Practice 9 (COP9) investigation. Following successful plea discussions, the case concluded with Mr Ecclestone receiving a suspended sentence and agreeing a civil settlement to resolve his tax affairs.
• Representing a former Magic Circle partner charged with conspiracy to defraud arising from his participation in tax avoidance schemes. All charges were subsequently dismissed or discontinued and the client received a six-figure costs award as a result of the prosecution’s conduct.
• Advising an entrepreneur under HMRC investigation for VAT fraud. Although the client had been under criminal investigation for some time, the team were able to steer the case back to a civil resolution.
• Representing a senior director of a global financial institution in a criminal investigation conducted by a European tax authority concerning alleged fraud on the part of his employer.
• Advising a number of high-profile HNWI in HMRC fraud investigations arising from disclosures made to HMRC by various overseas tax authorities.
• Representing several individual clients in respect of the ‘cum-ex’ investigations related to dividend withholding tax in Germany, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. Our involvement has variously included criminal investigations in Germany, an internal investigation by a financial institution and Mutual Legal Assistance investigations carried out by HMRC on behalf of overseas authorities.

Our lawyers are members of the Tax Investigators Practitioners Group.