Phillip Lourens

Phillip has end-to-end experience of handling HMRC enquiries and managing Tribunal litigation. He also provides general corporate and international tax advice to foreign groups bidding for and carrying out projects in the UK, including on permanent establishment issues and withholding taxes, and the construction industry scheme.

In his previous role at an international law firm in Johannesburg, South Africa, he represented clients in tax audits and advised on a range of inbound and outbound investments. He has also acted both for and against the South African Revenue Service in tax litigation.

• Advised various multinationals on making voluntary tax disclosures and using the Profit Diversion Compliance Facility (PDCF) to regularise their tax and transfer pricing affairs with HMRC.

• Represented a large US bank in litigation against HMRC regarding the scope of VAT exemptions for services provided to support trading operations.

• Represented the South African Revenue Service in tax litigation against Sasol Oil regarding the application of general anti-avoidance and substance over form rules to Sasol Oil’s intercompany transactions.

• Advised an energy storage and e-mobility group on setting up UK operations and entering into UK EPC and supply contracts.

• Legal Practice Council of South Africa