Hans Severin Hansen

He is advisor to Danish and international clients, and he also conducts a great number of cases before the Danish courts, the European Court of Justice, the National Tax Tribunal, the National Tax Board and other administrative bodies.

Hans Severin Hansen is chairman of the Danish Branch of Internationational Fiscal Association and member of the Executive Committee of International Fiscal Association. He is President of the IFA 2013 Congress in Copenhagen.

He is also a member of the Tax Commission appointed by the Danish Government, and he has over the years been a member of a number of Expert Working Groups.

In 2006 Hans Severin Hansen was awarded the prestigious Magnus Prize which is granted to a tax specialist who has contributed considerably to the development of Danish tax law.

In 2010 he received the Christrup Award which is granted to an attorney every third year for an outstanding litigation performance. The Award Committee consists of members appointed by the Law Society and the Presidents of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.

Hans Severin Hansen is recognised as the leading tax practitioner in Denmark in all important rating publications. 

Legal 500 (2013)

Hans Severin Hansen is listed as a leading individual with respect to Tax.

Chambers Global (2013)

Hans Severin Hansen has been named a Star Individual as regards Tax. "Hans Severin Hansen is universally acknowledged as a star of the Danish tax scene. Sources say: 'he is no doubt one of the top tax lawyers in the country: very sharp and extremely knowledgeable'."

EMEA Legal Experts (2013)

Hans Severin Hansen is listed as a leading individual with respect to Tax.

Legal 500 (2012)

Hans Severin Hansen is listed as a leading individual as regards Tax and is described by some clients as "the best Danish tax litigator".

Chambers Global (2012)

Hans Severin Hansen has been listed as the (only) Star Individual as regards tax. He continues to be "the undisputed king of tax litigation" in the eyes of his competitors. Clients observe that "he is able to communicate extremely complex issues in a very straightforward way to tax authorities and courts".

EMEA (European) Legal Experts (2012)

Hans Severin Hansen is listed as an expert with respect to Tax.

Chambers Europe

Hans Severin Hansen is listed as a Star Individual with respect to Tax. "He continues to be 'the undisputed king of tax litigation' in the eyes of his competitors. Clients observe that 'he is able to communicate extremely complex issues to tax authorities and courts in a very straightforward way'." (2012)

Hans Severin Hansen is listed as a star individual with respect to Tax. "Luminary Hans Severin Hansen wins unanimous praise and is described by many as 'the best tax litigator in Denmark'." (2011)

Listed as a star individual with respect to Tax (2010).

"Hans Severin Hansen is widely seen as the leading tax litigtor in the country, with sources remarking that the impact he has had on the sector 'is absolutely amazing; he has represented each and every major corporation in Denmark'." (2010)

Hans Severin Hansen is listed as the only star individual by Chambers Europe 2008 with respect to Tax.

"Hans Severin Hansen is 'without a doubt a top man on theoretical questions' and is unanimously considered to be 'the best tax litigator in Denmark'. Clients highlight his 'excellent relationship with the tax authorities' and his 'ability to bridge a gap between two parties in a dispute'." (2008)

"'Skilful and diligent', Hans Severin Hansen is proclaimed 'the king of tax' by peers. Clients agree that he is a clear 'leader in litigation, and outstanding' in the Danish tax world." (2007)

Chambers Global

Recommended as "Leader in his Field" with respect to Tax (2011).

Legal 500 (2011)

Hans Severin Hansen is listed as a leading individual with respect to Tax. "Plesner's 'widely recognised' 16-lawyer tax group is led by Hans Severin Hansen, who has an 'incredible unbeaten record in landmark cases'."

Practice areas

Corporate law

Estate Planning

Tax law

Career path

1984 Admitted to the Supreme Court

1979 Admitted to the bar

1976 Master of Laws, University of Copenhagen

Positions of trust

Chairman of the Danish Branch of International Fiscal Association

Member of the Executive Committee of International Fiscal Association 

President of the IFA 2013 Congress in Copenhagen

Member of the Tax Commission, appointed by the Danish Government

Chairman of the Board, the Tax Case Foundation

Member of the Board, the Tax Law Foundation

Member of the Publications Committee of the Journal on Taxes and Duties

External examiner, University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University

Member of the Advisory Board for the LL.M. in VAT and Other Indirect Taxes, Aarhus School of Business

2000-2009 Member of the Permanent Advisory Board to the Minister of Taxation

1992-2009 Member of the Board of the Danish Lawyers' Tax Law Association

2002 Member of the Ministry of Taxation's Expert Working Group on Taxation of Work in Progress

2001-2003 Member of the Central Customs and Tax Administration's Expert Working Group on Taxation of Goodwill in Law Firms

1996-2000 Member of the Ministry of Taxation's Expert Working Group on Revision of the Act on Taxation of Gains on Shares

1995-1998 Member of the Ministry of Taxation's Expert Working Group on Joint Taxation

1989-1997 Vice-president of the Tax Committee under the General Council of the Danish Bar and Law Society

1995 Member of the Central Customs and Tax Administration's Expert Working Group on Investigation of Bank Mergers

1976-1978 Tutor in Civil Law, University of Copenhagen

Memberships

Danish Association of Experienced Supreme Court Litigators

Danish Fiscal Association

International Fiscal Association

Danmarks Skatteadvokater (a Danish lawyers' tax law association) 

Danish Association for Corporate Law

Selected publications

The Danish National Report to the IFA 2000 Munich Congress on "Tax treatment of hybrid financial instruments in cross-border transactions"

"Det store hykleri - om "beneficial owner" sagerne" (The great hypocrisy - the "beneficial owner" cases) Magnus Online, Article of the Month, June 2011.

Various articles, mainly about tax and duty related topics

Languages