David Howker QC for No5 Chambers

Prior to taking silk in 2002, Mr Howker QC was formerly Standing Counsel to Her Majesty’s Customs & Excise, during which time he prosecuted many of the major revenue cases of the day, including excise duty and VAT evasion, Common Agricultural Policy fraud, Anti Dumping Duty and import levy fraud.

He continues to be in constant demand by leading defence firms nationwide, and has developed a reputation for defending difficult cases against HM Revenue and Customs. This has led to him recently being instructed in a number of VAT Appeal Tribunal cases representing appellant companies denied the right to reclaim many millions in VAT upon the export of mobile phones and CCUs. His mainstream practice includes all aspects of serious crime, both defending and prosecuting.