
Conducting a Transfer Pricing Trial, Audit to Court Playbook
Many transfer pricing teams still treat risk as an annual documentation exercise. Build the local file, update the benchmark, finalise
Articles | Cases | Research

Many transfer pricing teams still treat risk as an annual documentation exercise. Build the local file, update the benchmark, finalise




The case of Medtronic, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue revolves around the complex issue of transfer pricing, particularly concerning the appropriate method to determine the arm’s length royalty rates for the use of intellectual property between Medtronic US and its Puerto Rican subsidiary, MPROC.
GTC Conference 2022 The introduction of BEPS has changed the landscape of international taxation. It brought about not only legislative
The Ferragamo France transfer pricing case offers valuable insights for luxury goods companies. This landmark ruling highlights the complexities of transfer pricing in the high-end retail sector.
The case of UPS Asia Group Pte. Ltd. vs. Asstt. Commissioner of Income Tax revolves around the interpretation of whether the applicant had a “Business Connection” in India and a “Permanent Establishment” (P.E.) under the India-Singapore Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) ruled in favour of UPS Asia Group, stating that when the Indian Associated Enterprise (A.E.) is remunerated at arm’s length price, no further profit attribution is required, making the existence of a P.E. tax-neutral.
In the case of GE Energy v. CIR (Netherlands), the Dutch Court of Appeal delivered a crucial judgment involving the determination of a Permanent Establishment (PE) in the Netherlands due to the activities of GE Energy’s Libyan subsidiary.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL SUMMARY IN PDF HERE VIEW THE FULL JUDGMENT HERE Case Information Court: Østre Landsret Case No: BS-12642/2020
Choose the track that fits your practice focus. All programmes are practitioner-taught, cohort-based, and validated by Middlesex University.
| Dimension | Transfer Pricing | International Taxation | South African Tax Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurisdictional audience | Global audience, covers all jurisdictions | Global audience, covers all jurisdictions | South Africa specific, relevant to SADC region |
| Ideal for | TP managers, advisors, in-house tax teams, analysts moving into TP | Advisors and managers dealing with cross-border rules, treaties, planning | Practitioners working with the SA Income Tax Act, cases, compliance |
| Core focus | Methods, comparables, DEMPE, documentation, audits, dispute defence | Treaties, source vs residence, anti-avoidance, PE, relief from double tax | Statutory interpretation, case law, assessments, objections, local practice |
| Primary tools | OECD TP Guidelines, UN Manual, BEPS Actions 8–10, 13, case law | OECD and UN Models, MLI, BEPS 1.0 and 2.0, domestic rules, cases | Income Tax Act, SARS practice notes, Tax Administration Act, SA cases |
| Assessment style | Case-based assignments, file reviews, short written defences | Problem questions, treaty interpretation, position papers | Problem questions, statutory analysis, case commentary |
| Typical outcomes | Build defensible TP files and strategies, improve audit readiness | Design cross-border structures within rules, mitigate double tax | Apply SA tax law accurately, manage reviews and disputes |
| Entry point | Start with PG Certificate, progress to PG Diploma, then MSc, or enter later with suitable experience or credits. | ||
| Award | Best for | What you achieve | Assessment highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG Certificate | Foundation to intermediate upskilling | Core concepts, frameworks, and applied techniques | Short case write ups, timed responses, applied tasks |
| PG Diploma | Expanding technical depth and application | Advanced analysis, risk management, documentation quality | Integrated case assignments, policy memos, oral defence |
| MSc | Leaders and specialists building authority | Capstone project and research backed practice outcomes | Research project, viva or presentation, publishable summary |
Practical, practitioner-led certificates designed for immediate on-the-job application. Each course can stand alone or act as a pathway into our postgraduate tracks.
| Dimension | Conducting a Transfer Pricing Trial | Effectively Managing Tax Teams | Indirect Taxation | Tax Risk Management |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jurisdictional audience | Global audience | Global audience | Global audience, with local adaptation | Global audience |
| Ideal for | In-house tax, TP managers, litigators, advisors preparing for audits, ADR, trial | Heads of tax, managers, team leads, controllers, emerging leaders | VAT, GST, customs, finance managers, AP, AR, compliance specialists | Tax managers, risk officers, controllers, advisors building governance |
| Core focus | Case theory, evidence files, expert reports, witness prep, courtroom strategy | Operating models, KPIs, workflows, stakeholder management, coaching | VAT design, place of supply, input credits, exemptions, WHT interactions | Risk identification, controls, documentation, audit readiness, dispute playbooks |
| Delivery mode | Online, live sessions plus guided self-study | Online, live sessions plus guided self-study | Online, live sessions plus guided self-study | Online, live sessions plus guided self-study |
| Duration | 16 weeks, part-time | 16 weeks, part-time | 16 weeks, part-time | 16 weeks, part-time |
| Outcomes | Confident litigation preparation and defence for TP disputes | Stronger execution, clear roles, measurable team performance | Reduced VAT errors, better cash flow, fewer surprises at audit | Structured governance, fewer findings, faster dispute resolution |
| Prerequisites | TP fundamentals recommended | Supervisory experience helpful | Basic VAT knowledge helpful | General tax experience helpful |
| Pathway | Progress to PG Certificate in Transfer Pricing | Progress to Mechanics of Leading Tax Teams, PG Certificate (leadership) | Progress to PG programmes, International Tax or SA Tax Law | Progress to PG Certificate in International Taxation or Transfer Pricing |
| Assessment | End of module progress assessment 5000-word assignment if PG-Cert option elected |
End of module progress assessment 5000-word assignment if PG-Cert option elected |
End of module progress assessment 5000-word assignment if PG-Cert option elected |
End of module progress assessment 5000-word assignment if PG-Cert option elected |