Robert is a highly experienced regulatory disputes lawyer specialising in tax disputes, regulatory investigations and public law challenges. He acts for a broad range of clients from FTSE100 companies and HNW individuals to SMEs and not-for-profit organisations.
Practice Areas:
- Multi-jurisdictional tax investigations and enquiries
- Group Litigation (High Court and Tribunals)
- Administrative Law / Judicial Review (claimant and defendant)
- Anti-Dumping Duty and Customs Disputes
- VAT and Direct Tax Disputes
- Tax-Related Criminal investigations / Prosecutions
- Trade Sanctions
- Export Control
- Alternative Dispute Resolution / Mediation
Latest Insights
- Keeping pace with change: A discussion on international tax enforcement and controversy, June 18, 2025, Eversheds Sutherland webcast
- International Tax Update, April 30, 2025, Eversheds Sutherland Developments in Tax Administration, Controversy and Enforcement (ACE) Seminar
- Leading Partner, Legal 500 UK 2025
"Robert Waterson is a very capable leader of the team and has a good grip of strategy and detail.”
- Next Gen Partner, Legal 500 UK 2022, 2023, 2024
- Legal 500 UK 2024
- Legal 500 UK 2023
- Legal 500 UK 2022
"Robert Waterson is a superb strategist and a client favourite with an eye for overall strategy, as well as being all over the detail."
"Robert Waterson is the stand-out partner here. Technically brilliant and marvellously understated but relentlessly committed to the client’s cause."
"excellent instinct on which points to take."
"Robert Waterson has built an outstanding practice with a wide range of clients. He has a very inspiring client manner which is allied to excellent technical ability and a willingness to go the extra mile."
"Robert Waterson is a fine lawyer who can deal with both the substantive tax matters, judicial review and non-contentious matters. He has, justifiably, a loyal following."
- Ranked in Chambers UK 2024 (8 years)
- Chambers UK 2024
- Chambers UK 2022
- Legal 500, 2021
- Chambers UK, 2020
- Chambers UK, 2019
- Chambers UK, 2018
- Chambers UK, 2017
- Chambers UK, 2015
"He has excellent knowledge and technical skills."
"He is calm, pragmatic and a great person to have at your side during difficult negotiations."
"He has really good technical knowledge but is also commercial and pragmatic."
"He is experienced, responsive, calm and skillful in his handling of HMRC issues."
"...sound, realistic judgement to the matters in hand and provided strategic and tactical advice that leads to a successful outcome..."
"absolutely brilliant: he's very clever, very dynamic and very on the ball."
"detailed understanding of a wide range of law and is easy to work with."
"very efficient, responsive and very easy to get on with... proactive and displays excellent knowledge."
"An incisive intellect."
"Robert Waterson... brings considerable expertise in VAT and EU-related litigation"
- The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn - Lord Denning Scholarship
- Law Society of England & Wales
- Bar of England & Wales (non-practising)
- April 2010 Kaplan Altior
- 2006 – 2007
- 2005 – 2006
- 2001 – 2005
Qualified Lawyer Transfer Test
BPP Professional Education, Holborn, London
Bar Vocational Course (Very Competent)
BPP Professional Education, Waterloo, London
Graduate Diploma in Law
University College London, Gower Street, London
History BA, 1st Class Honours Degree