One minute with... Giles Salmond

How did you end up in tax?

I was awarded a scholarship by the Government Legal Service whilst at Bar School. This required me to do part of my pupillage with a government department. Of the various government departments I looked at HM Customs and Excise as it was then seemed to me to offer the greatest opportunity for a budding young advocate so I joined the Customs and Excise Solicitor’s Office. I began my career prosecuting drug smugglers and I worked my way into VAT and customs duties before moving into private practice.

What are you currently working on?

A number of contentious VAT disputes via the tax tribunal as well as ADR where I am using my CEDR training to great advantage. I am also working with Eversheds’ pension law specialists for a range of clients in the light of the...