With an aptitude for handling customs duty issues, judicial reviews, and tax litigation and investigations, RPC‘s customs and excise department is capable of advising large multinational businesses on a range of mandates both domestically and internationally. The team’s cross-border capabilities and deep expertise in the field continue to attract new clients from the manufacturing, tech, and food and beverage sectors. Spearheading the group is Adam Craggs, who is supported by contentious specialist Michelle Sloane. Sloane is noted for her breadth of practice, which encompasses customs and excise duty disputes, HMRC criminal investigations, and prosecutions. On the judicial review and civil proceedings front, Liam McKay is a key contact, while Alexis Armitage focuses on HMRC enquiries and information notices. Jasprit Singh is another notable name and regularly advises on anti-facilitation of tax evasion compliance.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'I have worked on cases with Adam Craggs and Michelle Sloane. Both are first-class lawyers who combine technical expertise, commercial awareness and experience.'
- 'Michelle Sloane has a knowledge of customs law which is much beyond what law firms often possess and combines this with a familiarity with the law relating to white-collar crime. This makes her a very valuable and unusual part of the team. Adam Craggs combines commercial awareness with legal expertise.'
- 'Extremely competent, effective and - very importantly - reliable in what is a relatively niche area.'
- 'One of the very few teams that can genuinely claim real experience and expertise in this niche area. Superb strength in depth. One of the few firms where the associates really stand out as stars of the future, particularly Alexis Armitage and Liam McKay. As a team, they are extremely experienced in customs and excise litigation.'
- 'Adam Craggs and Michelle Sloane are superb at the partner level. Alexis Armitage and Liam McKay are stand-out associates. I have been extremely impressed by both of them.'
Key clients
- Gourmet Classic Ltd
- Local Fuel Ltd
- Bonded Warehousekeepers Association
Work highlights
Representing Gourmet Classic Limited to successfully challenge HMRC's £15m assessments of excise duty before the First-tier Tribunal.
Advising members of the Bonded Warehousekeepers Association on customs and excise duty issues.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Adam Craggs
Other key lawyers
Michelle Sloane; Liam McKay; Alexis Armitage; Jasprit Singh