Market leading insight for tax experts
View online issue

Mark Lewis v HMRC

LPP and separate proceedings

In Mark Lewis v HMRC (TC03102 – 29 November 2013) Mr Lewis refused to comply with an information notice issued by HMRC under FA 2008 Sch 36 claiming legal professional privilege (LPP) in relation to documents concerning the negotiation of a compromise agreement with his former employer.

Referring to Three Rivers District Council [2004] UKHL 48 the tribunal stressed that LPP ‘covers all documents brought into being for use by a party in litigation that is in progress or in contemplation’.

However the tribunal added – referring to Winterthur Swiss [2006] EWHC 839 – that documents created ‘as part of negotiations in an attempt to compromise the proceedings’ will only be protected by LPP for the purpose of the proceedings they are aimed at avoiding. Such documents are therefore not privileged from disclosure in other unrelated proceedings.

The taxpayer also...

If you or your firm subscribes to Taxjournal.com, please click the login box below:

If you do not subscribe but are a registered user, please enter your details in the following boxes:

Alternatively, you can register free of charge to read a limited amount of subscriber content per month.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email directing you back to read this article in full.
Please reach out to customer services at +44 (0) 330 161 1234 or 'customer.services@lexisnexis.co.uk' for further assistance.
EDITOR'S PICKstar
Top