Acknowledged internationally as an expert in stamp taxes on securities, Michael has been advising the Corporate and Financial Services Sectors for more than 30 years. He has been involved in 18 stamp tax appeals in the UK and overseas, predominantly as Counsel, but also as a technical consultant and expert witness. He covers all areas of Stamp Duty and SDRT operational assurance and advisory, including:
- Investment Banking and Capital Markets -
SDRT operational assurance and risk management with clients, affiliates, market counterparties and flows, issues of accountability and agency, the reliefs for intermediaries, stock lending and collateral, and the chargeability or otherwise of CREST Depositary Interests (CDIs) and structured products.
- Mergers & Acquisitions, IPOs and Reliefs for Companies -
Transaction tax advice and structuring for IPOs and national, and international, mergers & acquisitions, including the higher rate charges and reliefs for capital raising, group and acquisition relief.
- Asset Management -
SDRT on contributions to, distributions from and transmission into and between equity fund vehicles, including trust, contractual, corporate and exchange traded funds established in Europe, North America and APAC.
A former author and editor of Sergeant and Sims on Stamp Taxes, he regularly assists and represents various industry and professional bodies, including the Law Society of England & Wales, and has appeared as an expert in political debate on the BBC.