Caroline Walton is a Tax Disputes & Investigations specialist and litigation solicitor.

She qualified as a solicitor in 1998 and joined Bexley Beaumont in November 2025 from Claritas Tax, where she led the Innovation Taxes Group.

Her role at Bexley Beaumont will support companies, individuals and their professional advisors in dealing with and responding to HMRC investigations, compliance checks and tax disputes and to provide advice and support around tax compliance.

Caroline has particular expertise in dealing with compliance checks into claims for Research and Development Tax Relief, a tax incentive which has been the subject of HMRC MREPs for several years.

Her full range of services includes:

1. HMRC Enquiry and Investigation Representation

• Advising on the nature and scope of the investigation.
• Managing all correspondence with HMRC.
• Preparing responses to information requests.
• Attending meetings and interviews with HMRC.
• Protecting the client's legal rights throughout the process.
• Preparing for and attending mediation/ADR.
• Preparation of Appeals and Requests for SOLS Review
• Negotiating Settlements and the closure of enquiries

2. Appeals and Tribunal Proceedings

• Preparing appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber).
• Drafting witness statements and legal submissions.
• Managing litigation strategy.
• Representing clients or instructing specialist tax counsel.

3. Penalties and Failure-to-Notify Cases

• Challenging behaviour-based penalties.

4. Settlement Negotiations

• Quantifying tax liabilities.
• Negotiating tax, interest, and penalties.
• Securing formal settlement agreements with HMRC.

5. Voluntary Disclosures

• Advising on disclosure opportunities before HMRC commences an investigation.
• Preparing disclosure calculations.
• Negotiating penalties and settlement terms.

6. Research and Development Tax Relief

• End-to-end preparation of a claim for Research and Development Tax Relief
• Support for companies, accountants and R&D tax relief specialists- review of current or proposed claims for Research and Development Tax Relief, in advance of submission.
• Advice around compliance and best practice for companies intending to make a claim for Research and Development Tax Relief.
• Applications for Advance Assurance.
• Advice around professional negligence in claims for Research and Development Tax Relief.

7. Patent Box Tax Relief

• End-to-end preparation of a claim for Patent Box Tax Relief.
• Support for companies, accountants and tax specialists - of current or proposed claims for Patent Box Tax Relief, in advance of submission.
• Advice around compliance and best practice for companies intending to make a claim for Patent Box Tax Relief.

Caroline is described by her clients as “a pleasure to work with” and “always responsive, efficient and perceptive.”