Tom Karnik

I advise clients on professional negligence claims against former advisers due to failed tax planning and/or structuring and commercial litigation where the subject matter is tax related. My work spans direct and indirect disputes for both companies and private individuals, with many of my cases involving overseas tax elements and structures across multiple jurisdictions. I work closely with the wider Contentious Tax team and colleagues across the firm to provide a global solution to a client's tax issues that includes both resolving their tax position, but also seeking redress where available to compensate their losses. Much of my litigation work is carried out in parallel to a client resolving their tax position against HMRC.

I provide pragmatic and commercially-focused advice to recommend the best commercial solution to matters.  

Recent cases in my practice include:

• Multiple professional negligence claims on behalf of both ultra high net worth individuals and companies against former solicitors and tax advisers for negligent tax advice. Many of my cases also involve an element of fraud.
• Acting in a tax fraud criminal investigation together with an associated negligence claim.
• Successfully claiming under a Tax Covenant to a Share Purchase Agreement for a large capital markets technology company in relation to R&D tax credits regime.
• Acting for Defendants in commercial litigation related to a failed tax avoidance scheme.
• Assisting clients in making voluntary disclosures to HMRC of historic tax liabilities.