Overview
Career in Chambers
Jeremy White's practice covers advice and litigation in both civil and criminal matters regarding international trade and Customs & Excise law. He specializes in trade barriers and trade preference, especially when involving classification, origin, customs valuation and other technical issues. He has been instructed to represent clients in disputes with the Customs Authorities of Belgium, Cameroon, Ireland, India, Kenya, Korea, Thailand, Turkey and the UK.
Landmark cases have included Terex C-430/08, Pace C-288/09 and Invamed C-198/15
Jeremy is qualified to accept Public Access instructions.
A copy of Jeremy White's privacy notice can be found here.
Career outside of Chambers
Before joining Pump Court Tax Chambers in 2001, Jeremy was employed by HM Customs and Excise on the Single Market excise legislation and the implementation of the Community Customs Code.
In addition, Jeremy has gained government policy and legislation experience over many years as a consultant under a contract between Jeremy White Limited and the Government of Bermuda. As a director of Jeremy White Limited, Jeremy has taken the role of temporary civil servant advising the Minister of Finance and Collector of Customs on law reform projects covering the following policy issues:
- Computerisation of customs supervision and controls
- Adopting the Harmonised System
- Adopting the Customs Valuation Agreement
- Simplified Procedures
- Excise duties – new revenue taxes
- Duty suspension schemes – including duty free areas and warehouses
- Anti-Money Laundering
- Prohibitions and restrictions
- Export control
Timeline
Called 1976 (Gray’s Inn)
1977-83: Barrister, 7 Fountain Court, Birmingham
1983-96: Solicitor’s Office, HM Customs & Excise
1996-2000: Senior lawyer, KPMG (led team specialising in indirect tax investigations, litigation, disclosure and risk management)
2000-01: Senior lawyer, KLegal solicitors (responsible for firm’s trade and customs practice in the UK)
2001-present: Barrister, Pump Court Tax Chambers
Publications
Consultant editor of Tolley’s Customs and Excise Duties Handbook since 2001
Consultant editor of Halsbury’s Laws since 2007
Memberships
CIOT Indirect Tax Committee
Revenue Bar Association
Customs Practitioners Group
London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association
VAT in Industry Group
Education
University of Birmingham (1975 LLB Hons Law with European law)
College of Law and Inns of Court School of Law (1976 Bar Final)
Directory quotes
The Chambers Guide
Tax: Indirect Tax
Ranking: Band 2
“Jeremy has mastered the ability to articulate multi-layered issues to clients clearly, and provides concise and robust advice.” “He has specialist knowledge and experience which means he is highly sought after.” (2022)
“Combines a vast retention of technical knowledge with a sharp mind and exceptional intelligence.” (2021)
“The expert on customs duty matters,” “he brings a rich level of technical detail to his cases.” (2020)
The Legal 500
Tax: VAT
Ranking: Leading Junior, Tier 2
‘Jeremy is the pre-eminent authority on customs and excise duty issues in the UK. His knowledge is unrivalled.’ (2021)
‘He has mastered the ability to articulate multi-layered issues to clients clearly; providing concise robust advice to keep clients both safe and commercially viable.’ (2020)
‘He has the exceptional ability to swiftly identify the complexities of a case.’ (2019)