The ‘brilliant’ customs and excise team at Ernst & Young LLP is sought after by notable names from the manufacturing, logistics, and automotive industries seeking assistance with disputes, customs valuations, and compliance, as well as investigations, disclosures, and trade remedies. With a robust offering and a multidisciplinary approach, the group continues to expand its client roster, further cementing its presence in the distribution services, chemical, and defence sectors. Heading up the department is Julian Balson, who stands out for his ’vast wealth of knowledge and experience’ which encompasses litigation, investigations, and export controls and sanctions. He is supported by time-to-pay agreement specialist Holly Rowland, cross-border disputes authority Diego Quinones Cruz, and HMRC negotiations expert Davinder Sahota.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team at EY is brilliant.'
- 'We are massively supported by Julian Balson. His strengths are his vast wealth of knowledge and experience.'
Key clients
- Thyssenkrupp Materials (UK) Ltd
- Nexans Norway AS
- Plutus UK Bulk Store Ltd & Plutus (UK) Limited
Work highlights
Acted for Thyssenkrupp Materials (UK) Ltd in respect of its appeal regarding Bills of Discharge and conditions and obligations for Inward Processing Relief.
Represented Nexans Norway in respect of its appeal to the First-tier Tribunal of HMRC’s Advanced Tariff Ruling, which found that its composite underwater cables produced for the offshore windfarm industry was an electrical conductor (with 2% ad valorem duty) rather than a fibre optic cable (with 0% duty).
Practice head
Julian Balson
Other key lawyers
Holly Rowland; Diego Quinones Cruz; Davinder Sahota