Maurice Martin

Of counsel | London

Maurice is counsel in the private client and tax team, focused on UK tax investigations.

His work focuses on business and personal tax investigations on behalf of high profile individuals as well as corporations which face either civil or criminal investigation. He often works in conjunction with leading accountancy firms to minimise the client’s risk of prosecution and the amount of tax properly payable.

He has been involved in many of the major cases of the past 30 years. These began with the famous nationwide Richmond Rendezvous group of Chinese restaurants in 1981, at the time the largest tax prosecution ever and the first combined operation by HM Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise (before they merged in 2005).

Full profile

Secretary Jane Ewles

+44 20 7597 6567
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Head of tax investigations Maurice Martin is described by sources as ‘the go-to person if you want to deal with HMRC,’ citing his wealth of experience in tax fraud investigations. Sources also say he ‘exudes gravitas’ and ‘develops excellent working relationships.’

Chambers UK 2017, London
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Maurice Martin is head of tax investigations at the firm and enjoys an excellent reputation in the field. ‘His experience speaks volumes in that he has both the technical excellence and the practical expertise that clients need, and he brings both together.’

Chambers UK 2018, London
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Sources note that Maurice Martin is “incredibly effective; he is clever, hard-working and has great judgement.” He is experienced in assisting individuals and corporates with cross-border tax fraud investigations.

Chambers UK 2020, London

Focus areas

High-net-worth individuals

Professional advisers

Sport

Israel

Track record

Admissions

Publications

Memberships

Talks

Played a significant role in two major tax investigations involving premiership football clubs and players as well as other HMRC investigations for high profile individuals with international elements.

England and Wales, 1973

Author of the original chapter on Tax Investigations - Tolley’s Directors’ Handbook

Tax Investigation Practitioners Group

Financial Investigations Bureau

International Bar Association (Corporate counsel to Business Crime Committee)

London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association

Chair on tax investigations at the International Bar Association

Me in a minute

I passionately believe that having greater powers brings a duty to be open and fair so that the individual has a chance to argue on a level playing field

I knew since I was about 11 that I was someone who felt strongly about fairness. Arguing the case for myself or others came easily and it was a natural progression to becoming a solicitor at 23.

At 24, I fell into white collar litigation and tax investigations by chance, when one senior lawyer was too busy and the second fell ill and I was asked to represent a man accused of the largest tax fraud the UK had ever known. I was hooked.

The case I am probably proudest of was representing an elderly accountant, on the verge of retirement and with a distinguished career behind him, who was wrongly accused of helping a client to hide income offshore. The former Inland Revenue was open with its concerns and evidence, and even before they came to interview my client I carried out our own investigation which showed the allegations were false. I still have the client’s letter of thanks 25 years on.

The powers of investigatory authorities can be overwhelming. I passionately believe that having greater powers brings a duty to be open and fair so that the individual has a chance to argue on a level playing field.

Being a life-long follower of Watford Football Club sits well with someone who supports the underdog. Many years ago, I was invited to play in a trial and, who knows, if things had gone better my career may have proceeded on another kind of level playing field.

Education

Christ’s College Finchley G.S.
University College London, LL.B. (Hons)
College of Law Guildford and Lancaster Gate

Languages

  • English

Dates

Joined

2011

Recognition

London

20 Old Bailey,

London,

EC4M 7AN

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