About
Sophie acts on a broad range of contentious tax issues for a variety of clients from high-net-worth individuals to multi-nationals. She has experience litigating tax appeals before the First-tier Tax Tribunal up to the Supreme Court, as well as judicial reviews in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Sophie is a dual-qualified lawyer who has practiced in both New Zealand and England. She gained her tax litigation experience working as an associate at HMRC, where she was focussed on complex and high-value direct tax disputes of strategic importance. Sophie also has expertise in the litigation of public law disputes.
Sophie has a detailed knowledge of HMRC’s powers and processes, and she is able to use this to provide advice to clients who are dealing with HMRC investigations. She works to find effective solutions that reduce the need for litigation where possible.
Experience
- Acting on an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the taxation of partnership remuneration arrangements.
- Acting on an appeal to the Supreme Court with respect to HMRC's approach to the taxation of certain Enterprise Zone arrangements.
- Advising various firms on issues raised by HMRC in relation to the taxation of management fees, the application of salaried member rules and the taxation of remuneration arrangements.
- Acting on an appeal to the Tax Tribunal concerning the tax residence of an investment company over many years.
- Acting on a judicial review and related tax appeal concerning a VAT clearance obtained by a multinational business.
- Advising on a large and complex transfer pricing enquiry into multiple UK companies for a Group in the Global 500
- Advising a FTSE 100 company in relation to a contractual VAT dispute and successfully bringing an application for summary judgment
- Advising high-net-worth individuals in relation to their domicile status, including bringing an appeal before the Tax Tribunal.