Robert Waterson
Partner
Robert is a highly experienced regulatory disputes lawyer specialising in tax disputes, regulatory investigations and public law challenges. He acts for a broad range of clients from FTSE100 companies and HNW individuals to SMEs and not-for-profit organisations.
Practice Areas:
- Multi-jurisdictional tax investigations and enquiries
- Group Litigation (High Court and Tribunals)
- Administrative Law / Judicial Review (claimant and defendant)
- Anti-Dumping Duty and Customs Disputes
- VAT and Direct Tax Disputes
- Tax Related Criminal investigations / Prosecutions
- Anti-Money Laundering
- Sanctions
- Alternative Dispute Resolution / Mediation
Robert has litigated at all levels of the UK courts and tribunals and the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Directory quotes
"Robert Waterson is a superb strategist and a client favourite with an eye for overall strategy, as well as being all over the detail." - Legal 500 UK 2024
"Robert Waterson is the stand-out partner here. Technically brilliant and marvellously understated but relentlessly committed to the client’s cause." - Legal 500 UK 2023
Ranked – Chambers UK 2022
"Robert Waterson represents clients facing inquiries from UK and European tax authorities. His work is broad and includes disputes involving customs duty, anti-dumping duty and SDLT. He is calm, pragmatic and a great person to have at your side during difficult negotiations." "He has really good technical knowledge but is also commercial and pragmatic." "He is experienced, responsive, calm and skillful in his handling of HMRC issues." - Chambers UK 2022
Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2022
"Robert Waterson has built an outstanding practice with a wide range of clients. He has a very inspiring client manner which is allied to excellent technical ability and a willingness to go the extra mile." - The Legal 500 UK 2022
"Robert Waterson and Constantine Christofi have both always applied sound, realistic judgement to the matters in hand and provided strategic and tactical advice that leads to a successful outcome. They are both prompt to answer questions, turning drafts and responses around quickly. Particularly valued is their ability to explain in layman’s terms the various aspects of VAT, the process and path taken." - The Legal 500 UK 2022
"Robert Waterson is a fine lawyer who can deal with both the substantive tax matters, judicial review and non-contentious matters. He has, justifiably, a loyal following." - The Legal 500 UK 2022
"Robert Waterson and his team can relate to real-life issues and are concerned about the right outcome for the client, not just racking up fees." - The Legal 500 UK 2022
"He is extremely clear and imaginative, and relentlessly pursues the clients' objectives." - Chambers UK 2021
"His knowledge of the relevant legislation and his tactical approach are very impressive." - Chambers UK 2021
"Absolutely brilliant: he's very clever, very dynamic and very on the ball." – Chambers UK 2020
Robert Waterson handles contentious tax matters for both private individuals and global corporations. Clients say he is "detailed understanding of a wide range of law and is easy to work with." - Chambers UK 2019
Robert Waterson is experienced in contentious tax matters involving issues over EU law. Clients state that "Robert was very efficient, responsive and very easy to get on with," and add that he is "proactive and displays excellent knowledge." - Chambers UK 2018
Robert Waterson is a legal director at the firm who specialises in VAT and direct disputes and is considered to have "an incisive intellect." He brings his previous experience at HMRC solicitor's office to bear in complex cases. - Chambers UK 2017
"Robert Waterson [...] brings considerable expertise in VAT and EU-related litigation." - The Legal 500 UK 2015
Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2015