Our tax experts offer advice on the full range of tax issues affecting corporates, from large multinationals to smaller growing companies. Core areas of expertise include helping clients, both UK based and overseas, to structure corporate and commercial transactions, navigating the corporation tax, VAT, stamp duty and employment taxes minefield and making the most of available reliefs and incentives.

Bristows’ tax team is fully integrated with the firm’s core practices and sectors. We frequently advise on strategies for businesses whose underpinning value lies in their technology or IP rights. We sit within the corporate team, enabling us to provide seamless tax support on the full range of transactions our clients undertake, alongside providing in-depth, bespoke tax planning advice.

In addition to our core corporate tax skills, the team has extensive experience advising on real estate tax issues, including the direct tax, SDLT, VAT and Construction Industry Scheme consequences of investments, lettings and redevelopments. We also have a well-established practice advising charities and not-for-profit bodies on the multitude of tax issues they face.

Our support to innovative and growing companies extends to the implementation of tax efficient share incentive arrangements and advising on how to attract investment through EIS and VCT tax incentives.

Much of our work involves an international aspect and we have significant experience advising overseas clients, particularly in the US and continental Europe, on cross-border issues.

Tax partner Miranda Cass has also developed a specialism advising on HMRC enquiries and disputes, including taking cases to the Tax Tribunal.

Key contact

Miranda Cass

Contact

Experience

Advising oncology biotech company NuCana PLC on the stamp duty and SDRT aspects of its IPO of American Depositary Shares on NASDAQ.

Advising WPP on the assessment and allocation of tax risks on acquisitions of majority and minority stakes in numerous UK and overseas digital marketing/eCommerce agencies and technology companies.

Supporting Diageo with various complex tax matters connected with its corporate venture capital arm, Distill Ventures.

Assisting Capgemini on the acquisition of Adaptive Labs, including complex share option tax considerations.

Advising Amazon.com on its investments into UK tech companies via its Alexa Accelerator Programme.

Dealing with the complex real estate tax aspects of Blue Diamond’s acquisition of 8 garden centres from Wyevale.

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What others say

“The transaction brought in several legal disciplines. The team operated seamlessly, with all of its members fully up to speed all the way through the transaction which requires both good leadership and great communication between the team members.”

Legal 500 2024

“Hugely user-friendly and hands-on.”

Legal 500 2023

“Particularly strong in the technology and life sciences sector, with aptitude for the full range of domestic and international transactions.”

Legal 500 2023

“Full involvement and very well coordinated team advising us on different legal areas.”

Legal 500 2022

“This team is very responsive and engaged.”

Legal 500 2022

Recent rankings and awards

Corporate Tax – Tier 6

Life Sciences and Healthcare - Tier 1

Life Sciences - Band 1