We will always try to help you resolve any business issues you may have. The examples below are just some of the ways we have helped our clients...
Example 1 - Tax assignment for a law firm
The dispute management team at a law firm were attempting to reverse a bankruptcy ruling against a client. The client had been investigated by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) in relation to purchases and sales of land in the UK by a non-UK resident trust with which the client was connected. The client was a UK individual and had received an assessment in excess of £1 million Capital Gains Tax (“CGT”). He had appealed against the assessment and applied for the postponement of all the tax charged. HRMC had refused the postponement application and the dispute was referred to the General Commissioners (an independent tribunal) who decided in favour of HMRC. HMRC then demanded payment of the tax, issued a Statutory Demand which was not paid and continued the proceedings to the point where the client was declared bankrupt.
A member of the Vantis Tax team reviewed the case and identified a technical argument which, if successful, would result in there being no liability for tax in the UK in respect of the land sales. The technical argument was not accepted by HMRC and the postponement application was again referred to the General Commissioners. The Commissioners are required to reconsider a postponement application only if “there is a change in the circumstances of the case” as a result of which there should be an adjustment to the amount of tax postponed. It was therefore necessary to persuade the General Commissioners that the fact that a different, and by definition more competent, tax specialist had reached a different conclusion about the underlying tax liability was “a change in the circumstances of the case”. This inevitably involved explaining why we believed that neither the client in the UK nor the trust outside the UK had any liability to UK tax in respect of the land transactions.
The General Commissioners found in favour of the client and postponed the whole amount of tax charged in the assessment. This enabled the law firm to have the bankruptcy annulled (not merely rescinded) which prevented the client from forfeiting participation in a profitable joint venture.
The dispute regarding the underlying tax liability is still not settled, and we are putting forward some good arguments to reduce it substantially.
Example 2 -Training courses for Solicitors run by the Legal Group
"Superb" Victoria S., Partner - Boodle Hatfield
"Geoff introduced some invaluable techniques for developing client relationships" Edward F., Dorman Joseph Wachtel
"Great! Very helpful and will definately use the tips" Jessica J., Cripps Harries Hall
“Very interesting & informative” Graham M., Partner – Moon Beever
“I particularly enjoyed having the chance to practise” Agatha L., Spearing Waite
“Very good. Kept the subject informative and interesting” Jin T., Paris Smith & Randall
“Very useful for giving a choice of language and approach” Avril W., Bishop & Sewell
“Really friendly and helpful. Easy to adapt to. Good stuff!” Ross M., Devereux Chambers
“Very informative and helpful ” Sade B., Landau Zeferrit Weir
“The course structure was very good, the trainer was easy to understand and very helpful” Chris W., Winkworth Sherwood
“Very comprehensive, made sure each area was fully understood” Jennifer F., RFB Solicitors
"Friendly and engaging style" David M., Davenport Lyons
"Very useful and entertaining course" Sikin A., Partner - Glovers
If you have a business issue that you would benefit from advice on please contact our Legal Group and we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss how we can help.