I am recognised by the legal directories for my work in tax, tax litigation, media and media finance.
My non-contentious practice includes corporate M&A, restructuring and media work. I have a particular interest in and I am highly rated for work in the media sector. In the media sector I have worked with leading film, television and on-line businesses including major and mini-major Hollywood studios (including Warner Bros); independent producers (including Bad Robot); major broadcasters (including the BBC), streamers (including Netflix) and high profile talent and their companies.
In my contentious practice I resolve high value tax disputes for household name clients, particularly in the media and intellectual property sector.
Since 2013, I have been helping groups of individuals who have participated in media-led tax structuring opportunities to resolve their tax position with HMRC.
Fieldfisher works closely with the Alternative Resolution Consultancy (ARC), a joint venture 50% owned by Fieldfisher. ARC is a non-commercial entity established to give groups of individuals a safe, reliable platform through which they can raise (and monitor the use of) collective funds and take collective decisions while retaining control over their own affairs.
As an example of my success in resolving high value tax disputes, the ARC/Fieldfisher approach secured the Eclipse Settlement Opportunity which removed a £1.6 billion tax liability shared among 715 individuals. I removed the huge and damaging stress and pressure faced by individuals facing ruinous "dry tax" claims for income they never received and were never entitled to. Our personal approach and dedication is reflected in the relieved comments from our clients (see below) following the announcement of the settlement.
I remain dedicated to assisting those still caught up in unresolved film finance structures.
What others say…
Derek Hill combines encyclopaedic knowledge of film investment structures with great insight as to how to pursue a matter and total dedication to his clients’ case. Few clients if any have ever been as well served as were we by Derek. He was by turns, illustrious, formidable, indomitable, indefatigable and implacable – and thanks to him we were victorious.
You always said we’d prevail. Thanks to your tenacity and diligence in the face of HMRC intransigence, it looks like you’ve got us there. I will never be able to thank you enough, but please know you have permanently changed my and literally hundreds of other people’s lives for the better. I’m truly grateful to you.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your help and hard work in taking the dry tax problem out of my life. An enormous relief. Your determination, crystal clear analysis and communication impressed me from the first time you appeared on this dark Eclipse journey.
Comprehensive and well-informed analysis.