Michelle Sloane
Partner
Get in touch
Michelle specialises in tax disputes and financial crime, and acts for both corporate and individual clients. She has particular expertise is in relation to VAT, and customs and excise duty disputes. Michelle is experienced in alternative dispute resolution and when litigation is necessary, she has in-depth experience of handling complex, high value and often high profile appeals before the Tax Tribunals through to the Supreme Court. Michelle also acts for corporates and individuals in criminal investigations and prosecutions, brought by a wide range of enforcement authorities, including HMRC, UK Border Force, Serious Fraud Office, The Police, The Gambling Commission and The National Crime Agency. She is also experienced in challenging decisions of public bodies by way of judicial review proceedings.
"I’m a problem solver, commercially aware, and unflappable in a crisis.”
“My practice is focused on tax regulation and financial crime. Regulators from across the globe have gained more powers to share information with each other, and I have extensive experience in assisting clients manage cross-border tax and financial crime investigations and disputes.
I have acted for numerous individuals charged with a range of financial related offences, including fraud and money laundering offences brought by a wide range of enforcement authorities. This has included assisting with 'dawn raids', interviews under caution and providing essential strategic direction at the early stages of an investigation.
I have worked for a tax authority, which gives me inside knowledge of public body decision-making processes.
It is rewarding helping a client successfully defend civil or criminal action by regulators. Clients appreciate my expertise, and my clear and prompt communication. I’m a problem solver, commercially aware, and unflappable in a crisis.
I establish my client's commercial objectives at the outset and work hard to meet those objectives.”
Michelle's recent work highlights:
- Acted for Newcastle United Football Club in respect of its dispute with HMRC concerning agency fees. The matter started as a criminal investigation, which following our detailed representations, HMRC ceased their investigation.
- Acted for a large PLC in relation to a £50m excise duty and VAT dispute. Following our representations, HMRC withdrew the assessments before the matter was heard by the Tax Tribunal.
- Acting for multiple high-net-worth individuals in a range of HMRC criminal investigations, including into alleged tax fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, fraud by false representation and cross-border fraud.
- Acting for various individuals in respect of HMRC Code of Practice 9 investigations, including the making of disclosures using HMRC's Contractual Disclosure Facility.
Directory quotes
"She is very commercially minded, straightforward, detail-focused and a brainbox." - Chambers UK 2025
"She is extremely hard-working and is a heavyweight in criminal fraud and tax fraud cases." - Legal 500 UK 2025
Next Generation Partner - The Legal 500 UK 2025
Leading Partner - The Legal 500 UK 2025
Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2025
"Michelle Sloane is a first-rate lawyer in this space. What she does not know in the tax/crime cross-over is not worth knowing. Her clients interests are extremely well protected, and she can ensure that whatever difficulty her client is facing, she will improve their position. She has a strong corporate understanding, and is widely recognised as a leader in her field. She was instructed in the Rangers football raid involving HMRC. She is tremendous. A strategic genius." - Legal 500 UK 2024
"Michelle is terrific. She's very knowledgeable and very understanding." - Chambers UK 2023
Up and Coming – Chambers UK 2022
"Michelle Sloane has broad experience representing a range of clients in income tax and VAT fraud cases. She is exceptional at bringing together the tax and fraud analysis." "She has exceptional knowledge of the subject matter and offers clear and concise information and presentations regarding the case." - Chambers UK 2022
"Michelle Sloane is another fine lawyer with a particular expertise in white-collar crime which makes her an essential part of the team." - The Legal 500 UK 2022
Next Generation Partner - The Legal 500 UK 2022
Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2022
"She has a very good grasp of High Court tax litigation." - Chambers UK 2021
"She provides outstanding client care and representation." - Chambers UK 2021
Rising Star. - The Legal 500 UK 2021
Next Generation Partner. - The Legal 500 UK 2021
"Michelle Sloane and Adam Craggs communicate excellently. They are calm and reassuring." - The Legal 500 UK 2021
"Adam Craggs, Michelle Sloane and Alice Kemp have been excellent. You would expect a high level of technical knowledge from a firm such as RPC but the above have been very supportive and very easy to talk to." - The Legal 500 UK 2021
Michelle Sloane is "efficient, hard-working and astute," according to sources, who note that "she stops at nothing in the defence of her clients." She assists clients in relation to investigations of direct and indirect tax fraud. - Chambers 2020
"Technically excellent." - Legal 500 UK 2019
Prominent and commercially aware. - Legal 500 UK 2017
Highly recommended in the Legal 500 UK 2017
"knows field of duties and tax inside out." - Legal 500 UK 2016
Memberships
Legal advisor and honorary committee member of the Bonded Warehousekeepers Association
Customs Practitioners Group (Secretary)
Women In Tax (Committee Member)
Fraud Lawyers Association
Female Fraud Forum
Contentious Tax Group (Secretary)
Get in touch
Expertise services
Related content
Stay connected and subscribe to our latest insights and views
Subscribe Here