The Licensing Act 2003 provides great opportunities and real threats. The flexibility of the new law enables longer trading hours and more activities but the threats come from neighbours complaining about noise and police dealing with crime. Your licence may be hard won but can be at risk from review for under-age sales or disorder.
Getting the licence you want and keeping the licence you need requires a thorough knowledge of law and procedures and skillful strategy.
I have worked for a large licensing authority, for the police and the magistrates’ court. With over fifteen years as a licensing lawyer in private practice this all-round experience makes a winning combination for licensing applications, appeals and prosecutions.
Licensing work frequently undertaken:
- premises licence applications
- appearing before licensing committees
- conducting appeals in the magistrates’ court both for and against licensing authorities
- advising operators on due diligence systems especially to prevent under-age sales
- forecourt premises licence a speciality
