Our consultants are widely experienced in all areas relating to VAT, Excise Duties and Customs Duties and in appeals in the VAT and Duties Tribunal.       Vincent is extremely experienced in litigation against Customs having conduct of numerous successful appeals and claims for compensation and costs. Vincent has also acted in appeals, which were treated by the Tribunal as human rights test cases and were then appealed direct to the Court of Appeal. Prior to moving into private practice, Vincent was employed by Customs for approximately 16 years, investigating commercial fraud. During the last five years of his employment in Customs he was the senior manager of a regional team of commercial fraud investigators. As an Associate of the Institute of Indirect Taxes (AIIT), which is a professional body for indirect tax practitioners, Vincent can instruct Counsel direct when legal opinions are required and legal representation is needed in the Tribunal. Vincent is also a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), which is a professional body for fraud investigators engaged in both the private practice and public services.       As a joint founder, Carol is responsible for the managerial and financial organisation of the Practice. Her considerable communication and organisation skills ensure that both Clients and personnel are provided with a high level of support.       Malcolm has a broad experience of all Customs & Excise matters. Malcolm was employed for over 20 years by Customs where he experienced all indirect tax areas ranging from VAT to other customs and excise duties. Malcolm spent a large period of his employment with Customs in the investigation field where he was responsible for leading a small team investigating both criminal and civil VAT fraud. In 1998 Malcolm was headhunted by KPMG and spent over five years providing advice to clients who had been subject to a Customs enquiry/investigation; whether it was criminal, civil or an assessment issued by the local office. Malcolm’s clients ranged from small businesses such as restaurants and takeaways to large corporations and Plc’s. This involved Malcolm advising both clients and other firms of accountants and solicitors. Malcolm was at the forefront in advising clients in respect of Customs new civil evasion procedures and also specialised in such trade sectors as the mobile phone and computer chip industries. He led a team of staff advising client’s on due diligence checks.       Michael Brueck is our in-house Solicitor. He has over been practicing since 1989 mainly in litigation. Michael has extensive experience of civil litigation and defending in criminal proceedings. Michael joined us from HM Customs and Excise having worked for them for three years in their Solicitor’s Office both in civil litigation and VAT and Duties Tribunal Appeals Department. This experience makes Michaels uniquely qualified to assist our clients with Tribunal Appeals. Michael has a practical and broad perspective in his legal problem solving. This is through seeing the subject matter from both sides.       Linda is our technical VAT expert. She was employed by Customs for over 9 years as a Senior Officer with responsibility for assurance visits to VAT registered businesses. She also had a large training role with Customs, being responsible for the delivery of VAT technical training to both new and experienced VAT Officers. She is an accomplished trainer who can devise and deliver training to specific requirements on all areas of VAT. After leaving Customs she worked for both Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers as a VAT specialist, where the wide client base covered all different aspects of VAT. Linda finds that the areas that cause businesses the most problems are land and property issues including construction, partial exemption and charities etc. This is largely due to the increasingly complex VAT legislation in this area resulting from Customs determined anti-avoidance stance.       Mark provides invaluable support to other team members and to Clients. He is currently acquiring specialisation in reclaims of VAT in Europe and the UK for overseas clients. Mark is also currently studying for various professional qualifications in the field of indirect taxes.       Andrew Young worked in Customs and Excise Solicitors Office for many years specialising in acting for Customs in Tribunal appeals. Thankfully he no longer acts for Customs as he was too successful on their behalf. Andrew left Customs to head up Deloitte and Touche litigation division and then PricewaterhouseCoopers litigation division. Andrew is now at the Bar and provides us with substantial support in our appeals and other litigation.