The Business & Property Taxes Litigation Team handles complex, novel and high value litigation before the First-tier (Tax) Tribunal, appeals to the higher courts (Upper Tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court), as well as judicial review claims.
The work of the team is often novel, involving substantial sums of money.
SOLS Office and the litigation function within SOLS has ongoing transformation as part of ensuring that we meet SOLS and HMRC strategic objectives, provide a professional and modern working environment and continuously improve. The role holder will be expected to play their full part in this and the wider leadership of the Litigation Directorate and SOLS as part of the leadership team. This will include a focus on our use of data, insight, technology, knowledge management, legal skills, and career development.
This role leads the Business & Property Taxes Litigation team. The team's work entails complex and high value litigation concerning:
* Corporation Tax
* Business Income Tax
* Business International & Stamps
* Capital Gains Tax
* Inheritance Tax
* Trusts & Charities.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
* To lead and deliver effective and efficient litigation and legal services to HMRC to support HMRC’s vision, objectives, and priorities within the areas of the Business & Property Taxes Litigation Team.
* Provide strategic direction and input to support the delivery of high-quality, timely, efficient, risk-based litigation, providing personal input (particularly to senior colleagues) where required and ensuring that lawyers within the team provide creative, practical legal solutions that add value, share knowledge, and that all litigation meets our quality standards.
* To provide strong enterprise leadership of the wider Litigation Directorate, and wider SOLS and HMRC, delivering on SOLS and HMRC strategic priorities, particularly focusing on data, insight, technology, knowledge management, the management of legal and fiscal risks, and ensuring that SOLS is a great place to work.
* Provide inspiring, confident, and empowering leadership that is open and inclusive of all, supports staff to improve their skills and performance, and offers support to career development.
* Develop and maintain highly effective working relationships with key stakeholders in HMRC, other Government Departments and externally.
Key Interactions
* Management of a team of 24 lawyers, and matrix management of paralegals and administrative support staff, currently based across four locations (Stratford, Croydon, Bristol and Manchester)
* Direct line management of four senior lawyer managers
* SOLS Senior Leadership Team
* Colleagues in wider HMRC
* Government Legal Department
* Counsel, courts and tribunals
* Other Government Departments
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
* Experience of leading the delivery of high quality litigation services within the public sector
* Demonstration of excellent legal professional skills, knowledge of public law, the ability to brief senior colleagues and officials, and the ability to think creatively and give authoritative risk-based legal direction that facilitates practical solutions
* An engaging, inspiring and collaborative leader, with the experience of managing a geographically disparate team to deliver excellent legal services and which embeds a positive and inclusive culture that supports wellbeing
* The ability to work collaboratively to lead and manage ongoing transformation across the Directorate to meet HMRC and SOLS vision
* Excellent stakeholder management skills, showing the ability to work collaboratively with senior leaders across SOLS, HMRC, GLD and external stakeholders
Essential Qualification:
* Must be qualified as a Solicitor or Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive and able to practice in England and Wales.
Desirable experience:
* Knowledge of tax and law within areas that align with the team’s work.
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