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Senior Associate
0113 518 5100 helen.pearson@brabners.com
She's a tax litigation specialist, advising on complex tax compliance and disputes with HMRC. Helen helps clients to navigate investigations, enquiries, disclosures and litigation before the tax tribunals and appellate courts, including judicial review proceedings. She works across all areas of direct and indirect tax, with particular expertise in corporation tax, VAT, income tax and environmental taxes, including landfill tax and plastic packaging tax.
Helen advises corporate clients, partnerships, individuals and owner-managed businesses across a broad spectrum of intricate and high-value tax issues. She has extensive experience in the retail and healthcare sectors, although she isn’t sector‑specific. She also regularly advises on tax issues relating to allegations of fraud, including Kittel input tax denials and managing supply chain risks.
She has previously worked as a tax disputes specialist and tax litigation solicitor within the ‘Big 4’ accounting firms, including advising on risk mitigation and settlements. Before qualifying as a solicitor in 2020, she spent two years working within HMRC as a tax inspector, focusing on corporation tax enquiries. She has extensive knowledge of HMRC’s enquiry and information powers, penalties and Litigation and Settlement Strategy.
Helen’s known for her ability to take a pragmatic, informed approach to HMRC processes and strategic approach to conducting tax disputes and litigation. Her time inside HMRC means that she understands how enquiries and investigations are likely to unfold and as a litigator she guides clients confidently through appeals before the tribunals.
She decided to become a tax lawyer after learning about the famous ‘Jaffa Cakes’ VAT case — a moment that sparked her interest in the complexity and quirks of tax law and how it affects every business. Since then, Helen has successfully settled tax disputes and won appeals before tribunals and courts, including cases involving the VAT treatment of food products, which she considers a personal highlight.
Helen is a member of Women in Tax and the Contentious Tax Group. She writes regularly on tax developments and has been published in industry publications, including the HMRC Enquiries Investigations & Powers Magazine and Freelancer & Contractor Services Association.
Outside work, Helen enjoys exploring the countryside with her two dogs. She spends much of her free time reading, dancing and taking on creative or DIY projects.
Helen joined us in April 2026 and is based in our Leeds office, supporting clients across the UK, including in London.
A recent Upper Tribunal tax decision has changed the VAT treatment of clear dental aligners and will affect dentists, dental technicians and laboratories.
We explore four recent food VAT decisions — from KFC dip pots to poppadom snacks — highlighting the key takeaways and practical steps for businesses.
We explores how the FTT reached its decision and outline the key takeaways for businesses navigating employment status issues.