Tax Law and International Tax Law

For eligible companies, EMI options and growth shares each offer distinct advantages in employee equity incentives. But what happens when you combine them? This analysis explores how EMI can wrap contingent growth-share interests, the valuation principles that must be respected, and why the hurdle, exercise price and performance conditions need to be designed together to avoid accidentally over-gearing management's participation.

The UK real estate investment trust market has evolved significantly since its inception nearly twenty years ago, transitioning from a landscape dominated by major listed property companies to one embracing a new private REIT regime. This shift, implemented in 2022, has opened opportunities for parties to access REIT benefits without the burden of public listing requirements, fundamentally changing the market dynamics.

The Government's draft legislation for a new Securities Transfer Tax (STT), published on 13 July 2026, was a bit of a landmark. Tax advisers will tell you, with a mix of shame and pride, that we still occasionally have to refer to nineteenth century legislation. The Stamp Act 1891 remains the foundation of stamp duty payable on share sales. The whole law in this area is a patchwork of bits of legislation spanning more than a century.

The Court of Appeal has delivered a landmark judgment that fundamentally changes the landscape for business rates mitigation strategies involving empty commercial properties. The ruling scrutinizes arrangements where property owners grant short-term leases to rates mitigation companies that place worthless items on premises solely to trigger empty property relief, applying the 'Ramsay principle' to determine whether such transactions serve genuine commercial purposes beyond tax avoidance. This decision over

Buying property in Spain feels, to most UK buyers, more familiar than it is. The process has a similar shape to a UK purchase. You find a property, agree a price, sign contracts, then complete. The legal framework underneath that shape, however, is different in ways that matter, and the points at which things go wrong are rarely the obvious ones. They tend to be structural issues that were not identified before commitment was made, and that become significantly harder to resolve once they have arisen.

Rebecca Lee shares her journey from law firm receptionist to qualified solicitor, discussing her passion for helping clients through life's most challenging moments in wills and probate work. She reflects on career highlights including managing a £4.2 million estate and her commitment to charitable fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

The Supreme Court has clarified how to determine whether LLP members have "significant influence" for tax purposes, establishing that qualifying influence must derive from legally enforceable rights traceable to the LLP agreement rather than informal power or strong performance. This landmark ruling provides a structured framework for assessing member status prospectively...

If you own farmland, there’s a good chance you’ve been approached — or will be approached — by a developer looking to use your land for a renewable energy project. Solar farms, wind turbines and battery storage facilities are all expanding rapidly across the UK, and developers need land.

The First-tier Tribunal examined whether HMRC could retrospectively impose late payment penalties and surcharges after reallocating tax payments made by a taxpayer who had entered into unsuccessful tax avoidance schemes. The case centered on the critical question of whether tax liability should be assessed at a specific point in time or whether subsequent payment reallocations could create retroactive late payment scenarios.

Irish executors managing estates with overseas assets face complex legal requirements across multiple jurisdictions. Our International Private Client team provides specialized support for cross-border probate matters, including UK property, Channel Islands assets, North American investments, and US estate tax clearance, helping personal representatives navigate unfamiliar procedures with confidence.

Irwin Mitchell provides comprehensive legal news, expert commentary, and industry insights across key sectors. The firm's latest Leading Litigator Report reveals that 69% of General Counsels now view litigation as either an operational necessity or strategic investment for protecting intellectual property and market position. Stay informed through their newsletters, podcasts, and regular seminars covering legal developments that impact businesses and individuals.

Irwin Mitchell provides comprehensive legal news, expert commentary, and industry insights across key sectors. The firm's latest Leading Litigator Report reveals that 69% of General Counsels now view litigation as either an operational necessity or strategic investment, examining how in-house legal teams are navigating alternative funding, AI adoption, and geopolitical influences while managing risk and controlling costs.