At a Glance
- Tasks: Handle challenging tax appeals and advocate in the First-tier Tribunal.
- Company: Join HM Revenue and Customs, a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, and strong professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team atmosphere with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your legal skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Tax or legal qualification required; experience with challenging tax issues preferred.
The predicted salary is between 45544 - 55157 £ per year.
Location: Belfast; Birmingham; Bristol; Leeds; Salford; Newcastle upon Tyne; Queensbridge Rd, Nottingham NG2 2GD, UK; Washington; London Borough of Newham; Portsmouth; Cardiff; Glasgow
Salary: 45,544 - 55,157 per year
Employment: Flexible
Category: Lawyer
Posted: 2026-10-31
Valid to: 2026-11-20
Employer: HM Revenue and Customs
Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it’s really like to work at HMRC.
As a Litigator in Legal you will be responsible for handling challenging tax appeals and undertaking advocacy in the First-tier Tribunal. We will support you with your professional development, through our Taxes Routeway learning to Senior Officer (SO) level and our comprehensive suite of litigation skills modules. This routeway learning and litigation modules will give you a fantastic set of skills to undertake litigation for HMRC’s Legal Group.
At HMRC we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues; an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve. We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us and we offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career at HMRC accessible to you. Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.
About HMRC Legal Group: Across HMRC Legal Group we provide legal services to the whole of HMRC. This includes:
- The conduct of independent reviews of decisions made by HMRC which are requested by customers under the legislative provisions.
- The conduct of tribunal and civil litigation on a full range of services.
- Work on new legislation.
- Drafting of statutory instruments and other legal documents.
- Legal advice to ExCom and staff.
Successful candidates will be placed on a reserve list and may be considered for future opportunities should vacancies become available.
Are you someone who enjoys challenge, exercising sound judgement and making a real impact? If so, have you thought about joining HMRC Legal Group as a Tax Litigator? It may surprise you, but you don’t need to be legally qualified to join HMRC Legal Group. We need Tax Professionals too! This is an excellent opportunity to join a fast-paced litigation team, to work alongside skilled professionals across Legal Group, Policy and Technical Teams to deliver a first-class litigation service.
In return, you will gain varied, rewarding work, strong professional development and the chance to build your profile in a respected, supportive and inclusive environment. Litigators will be expected to develop a high level of knowledge, skills and understanding and work as part of a fast-paced Litigation team but may also be asked to support colleagues in other parts of HMRC Legal Group and the wider HMRC. Advocacy is an important part of being a litigator and successful candidates will be expected to advocate in the Tribunal.
Specific duties include:
- Working a wide range of standard and some complex/challenging tax appeals that require an in-depth analysis of the issues and the ability to be able to research and interpret the relevant legislation underpinning the decision.
- An ability to understand and interpret large amounts of information, drawing conclusions on litigation strategy and legal risk.
- Making detailed written submissions to the Tribunal outlining HMRC’s case.
- Presenting hearings at the FTT (in person or via video) and/or supporting colleagues who are presenting at the FTT.
- Undertaking application hearings before the FTT.
- Working to and complying with Tribunal Directions.
- Ensuring the Decision Maker is kept up to date at all times, especially if they are to be called as a witness.
- Checking the Decision Maker’s witness statements.
- Identifying and collating bundles of evidence for hearings and managing bundle preparation.
- Attending case conferences, face to face and by telephone.
- Liaison with and coordination of paralegal support.
- Robust organisation and management of litigation caseload including file management, management information systems and processes.
You will be a strong team player with the ability to work independently and at pace to assist on wider projects in a well-structured and organised manner, impacting across HMRC Legal Group and wider HMRC.
Tax Litigators at Senior Officer level are well-rounded professionals with experience in managing a portfolio of cases containing challenging tax issues. They are effective at managing and resolving disputes. They will be tax or legal professionals, who typically have the following skills:
- Experience of working on challenging tax issues or legal issues - This role requires litigators to manage a portfolio of challenging appeals.
- Communication skills – Successful candidates will have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Working Under Pressure – Litigators are often required to balance competing workloads and pressures, including Tribunal deadlines.
For this post you must be a confident and skilled tax professional or litigator and hold the relevant tax or legal qualification.
Please ensure that you only apply for a location that you are willing and able to work from, as we will only make one offer of employment.
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRC, hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service.
Tax Litigator in Cardiff employer: United Kingdom Government
At HM Revenue and Customs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous professional development. As a Senior Business Analyst, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative projects in a dynamic environment while benefiting from flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee growth. With a focus on meaningful work and a supportive team atmosphere across various UK locations, HMRC is dedicated to helping you thrive in your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tax Litigator in Cardiff
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We think you need these skills to ace Tax Litigator in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at United Kingdom Government, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in United Kingdom Government and the specific role of Tax Litigator. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for United Kingdom Government’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Kingdom Government
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
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As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at United Kingdom Government.
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