Indirect tax investigations and litigation specialist strengthens contentious tax offering
European law firm Fieldfisher has announced the appointment of Julian Balson as a partner in its Contentious Tax practice in London, effective 7 September 2026.
Julian joins from EY, where he led the firm's Global Trade Disputes practice. He was also EY's subject matter specialist for tax fraud matters.
Julian advises businesses and individuals on complex tax disputes, investigations and litigation, particularly where matters involve significant HMRC intervention, allegations of fraud, substantial financial exposure, or broader regulatory and reputational risk. His practice spans VAT, Customs and Excise Duties, Environmental Taxes, IR35 and employment status disputes, voluntary disclosures, judicial review proceedings, and civil and criminal investigations.
Before joining EY, Julian was an Equity Partner at Bird & Bird, where he co-founded the firm's International Tax Disputes practice. He has extensive experience representing clients before the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal, as well as in judicial review and appellate proceedings.
Julian's practice is particularly noted for advising on complex tax issues arising from innovative technologies and evolving business models. His recent work has included cross-border investigations involving cryptocurrency and digital infrastructure, VAT litigation concerning medical technology, Customs disputes linked to offshore wind infrastructure, major Environmental Tax investigations, and high-profile IR35 and sports image rights litigation.
George Gillham, Partner and Head of Tax Litigation at Fieldfisher, commented:
"Julian is recognised as a leading practitioner in the contentious tax field, bringing an exceptional combination of investigations and litigation expertise. His experience advising clients on high-value and strategically important matters, particularly in relation to Customs and Excise Duties, VAT disputes and HMRC criminal investigations, will further strengthen our broad contentious tax offering and enhance the support we provide to clients navigating complex tax risks. We are delighted to welcome him to the firm."
Julian Balson added:
"Fieldfisher's established Contentious Tax practice, collaborative culture and strong European platform make it an excellent fit for my practice. I look forward to working with colleagues across the firm to help businesses, individuals and their advisers navigate complex indirect tax disputes, forensic investigations and tax fraud matters, which often cross multiple jurisdictions. Clients increasingly face uncertainty as technology and business models develop faster than the relevant tax rules and enforcement practices. My focus is on providing a clear and commercially workable dispute resolution strategy, whether through engagement with the relevant tax authorities, negotiated settlement or litigation."
Julian's arrival further strengthens Fieldfisher's contentious tax offering at a time of increasing tax authority compliance and enforcement activity and growing demand for specialist advice on tax disputes, investigations and regulatory enforcement matters. He joins a 13-lawyer team in the UK practising exclusively in the tax litigation and investigations field and will work closely with colleagues across the firm's 26 European offices. Across Europe, Fieldfisher's Tax & Structuring practice comprises 76 lawyers, enabling the firm to support clients facing complex cross-border tax risks, investigations and other contentious tax matters in multiple jurisdictions. Julian's appointment further enhances Fieldfisher's wider ability to deliver coordinated international advice on strategically significant disputes and investigations.
