My focus is on how to mitigate tax risk. My clients include both taxpayers and their advisers, and I am involved in representing clients under challenge or at risk of challenge from HMRC. Prior to entering private practice, I qualified as a fully trained Inspector of Tax, entering the old Inland Revenue via the Civil Service Selection Board.I moved into private practice in 2000, initially working with a Big 4 accountancy firm before becoming a law firm partner. My clients include individuals, companies, and their professional advisers such as trustees and bankers. Some clients are UK based but many have an international dimension.Clients come to me in a variety of circumstances. Some will come at a planning stage to seek expert advice on the exposure of planning structures to challenge. Some are under HMRC investigation and wish assistance in negotiations with HMRC with a view to reaching an agreed settlement. I also advise on where a voluntary disclosure to HMRC should be considered and the most appropriate type of disclosure based on the circumstances of the particular case. In addition to advice to taxpayers, I also advise professional intermediaries such as trustees and bankers on how to mitigate their exposure to penalties under recent legislation.