Category: Case Law

EIS relief, Enterprise Investment Scheme, HMRC tax appeals, qualifying trade, Upper Tribunal, First-tier Tax Tribunal, tax litigation, York SD Limited, Putney Power, EIS qualifying business activity, tax disputes solicitors, income tax relief withdrawal

York SD Ltd and Others v HMRC: What the Rooftop Solar EIS Appeal Means for Investors and Companies

The Upper Tribunal has granted partial permission to appeal in York SD Limited and Others v HMRC, a case examining whether a single rooftop solar panel installation could satisfy the EIS “qualifying business activity” requirement before six companies scaled up into much larger overseas solar projects. We break down the tribunal’s reasoning, the high bar for challenging findings of fact, and what the decision, read alongside Putney Power v HMRC, means for companies and investors relying on EIS relief.

Preparation for Mediation in UK

Preparation for Mediation in UK

Entering mediation without proper preparation can undermine even the strongest legal position. This article explains why effective preparation is essential to successful mediation, how realistic expectations and a clear strategy can influence settlement discussions, and the practical steps parties should consider before the process begins. Whether you are an individual or a business facing a dispute, understanding how to prepare for mediation can significantly improve your prospects of achieving a timely, cost-effective and commercially sensible resolution.

Drelle v Servis-Terminal: Foreign Judgments & Bankruptcy

Drelle v Servis-Terminal: Foreign Judgments & Bankruptcy

The Supreme Court has settled a question that has troubled cross-border insolvency practitioners for years: whether a creditor can petition for bankruptcy using a foreign judgment that has never been through English recognition proceedings. Drelle v Servis-Terminal LLC [2026] UKSC 29 confirms they can, reshaping the options available to creditors holding judgments from Russia, the US, China and other non-treaty jurisdictions, while leaving debtors’ substantive defences firmly intact. Here’s what changed, and what it means for you.

Legal Precedent, Appeal Process, Law Firm Marketing Content, Justice Symbol, Legal Advice, Lawsuit Reversal.

Winning on Appeal: Reversing Judicial Errors in Coghlan v Lexlaw [2026]

In complex civil litigation, lower courts can commit critical procedural errors, such as deciding an application based on arguments that were never formally pleaded by the parties. As demonstrated by the High Court’s ruling today in Arran Coghlan & Anor v Lexlaw Ltd, an appellate strategy that holds a lower court to the boundaries of civil procedure can successfully reverse an irregular judgment.

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Defeating HMRC’s £1m VAT Assessment

LEXLAW forced HMRC to withdraw a near £1m VAT best judgment assessment after we demonstrated it had been issued against the wrong taxable person. A historic VAT registration error by HMRC lay at the root of the dispute. Our legal investigation with specialist tax counsel secured HMRC’s total defeat before trial.

HMRC Sent Off in £584k Football Referees Tax Battle

In PGMOL v HMRC [2026] UKFTT 00654 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal determined that National Group football referees engaged by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd were not employees, allowing PGMOL’s appeals against Regulation 80 PAYE determinations and Class 1 NIC decisions worth over £583,000. Our specialist tax dispute solicitors and barristers analyse the multifactorial RMC Stage Three assessment, the significance for employment status disputes, and what this means for HMRC investigations into PAYE and National Insurance.

Interest Rate Swap Mis-selling: Do You Still Have a Claim in 2026?

Interest Rate Swap Mis-selling: Do You Still Have a Claim in 2026?

Thousands of UK businesses were mis-sold complex interest rate hedging products (IRHPs) by major banks between 2001 and 2012. While the FCA’s formal review scheme has closed, significant routes to redress remain open in 2026, particularly for victims of hidden swaps, LIBOR manipulation, and professional negligence. This article explains who can still claim, why time is critical, and what a specialist solicitor can recover for you.

Sections 235 and 236 Insolvency Act 1986: Directors’ Duties to Co-operate with Liquidators

Sections 235 and 236 of the Insolvency Act 1986 impose powerful duties on company directors, officers, employees, and even third parties to co-operate with insolvency office-holders such as liquidators and administrators. Failure to assist properly during liquidation, administration, or bankruptcy can result in personal sanctions, court orders, fines, and even director disqualification.