We are a full-service international tax practice. Clients come to us for sector knowledge and experience, deep thinking, great service levels and attention to detail on implementation.
We pride ourselves on being commercial in our approach and offering solutions that are tailored to our clients' business needs.
Very knowledgeable and incredibly pragmatic.’
The Legal 500 UK 2025
Areas of expertise:
- Tax structuring and advisory
- Tax investigations and disputes
- Funds, private equity and investment management
- Real estate tax
- M&A transactions
- Financing transactions
- Equity and cash employee incentives
- Employment taxes
- VAT and stamp duties
- Private wealth and family offices
Our Services
We provide clear, accessible structuring advice on complex transactions, ensuring tax-efficient, business-driven solutions. This includes group reorganisations and business restructurings, joint ventures and M&A, capital raisings and financing transactions, real estate transactions, fund formation and secondary transactions, and employee incentivisation arrangements.
Our specialist contentious tax practice guides clients through all aspects of investigations and disputes with HMRC, including tax enquiries and voluntary disclosures, negotiated tax settlements, arbitration processes and litigation through the courts. We advise on all types of tax across all sectors, covering both business and individual tax matters.
For more information, visit our Contentious Tax services page.
We have deep experience advising on the tax aspects of M&A transactions, both public and private, domestic and cross-border. We add value through tax efficient structuring and implementation and ensure our clients are fully protected from exposures to tax risk.
For more information, visit our Mergers & Acquisitions services.
We work hand-in-hand with our top-tier funds and private equity teams, covering all aspects of the taxation of listed and private investment funds and investment management.
For more information, visit our Funds or Private Equity services.
Real estate taxation is a core area of expertise within the tax department. We regularly act for real estate funds (including private and listed REITs), institutional investors, developers and funders through to commercial and residential landlords and tenants.
For more information, visit our Real Estate services.
Alongside our award-winning financing team we provide expert tax advice on the full range of financing transactions.
For more information, visit our Finance page.
Our team is expert at designing bespoke equity incentive and other remuneration structures to meet clients' specific objectives. Offering practical, commercial advice we have a wealth of experience and are valued for our innovative approach.
We work closely with our market-leading private wealth group, acting for wealthy individuals and family offices across the full range of tax issues that affect them and their business and property interests.
For more information, visit our Private Wealth services.
Awards and Recognition
"The tax team are incredibly good at focusing on the issues that really matter and are very focused on getting a good outcome for the client, but with an ability to get the deal over the line."
"The team at SH is both technically able and well-attuned to the commercial needs of their clients. They deal efficiently and sensibly with complex, large-scale litigation."
Latest News & Insights
Stephenson Harwood advises Middlefield Canadian Income fund on groundbreaking ETF transition
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Arbitration - conflict of laws – applicability of arbitration clause – Anti-suit injunction [Shell Petroleum v Sunlink Energies]
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