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Legal Advice
John Gaunt & Partners
Omega Court
372 - 374 Cemetery Road
Sheffield
S11 8FT
0114 266 8664
johng@john-gaunt.co.uk
Operating - Nationally
John Gaunt & Partners are a legal practice dealing exclusively in alcohol licensing and entertainment, gambling and related regulatory matters throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
Management services include Personal Licence Applications, Designated Premises Supervisor changes, AWP Gaming Permits etc.
Bespoke services include Premises Licences, Pavement Licences, Marriage Act Licences and related planning services.
Regulatory services include Reviews, Closure Orders, noise issues, Prosecutions (whether licensing, gambling, food or health and safety)
Training - BII accredited, APLH, SCPLH plus additional bespoke training. Where instructed we offer a "one-stop shop" for a training course combined with a Personal Licence Application.
We operate a 24 hour helpline - 0114 2663400
Poppleston Allen
37 Stoney Street
The Lace Market
Nottingham
NG1 1LS
0115 9538500
Poppleston Allen is the leading licensing practice in the UK dealing with a full range of licensing applications in England, Wales and Scotland.
Jonathan Smith
Managing Partner
Jonathan joined Poppleston Allen at the start of 1997 and has been a partner in the firm since April 2002. The 2011 Chambers & Partners Guide states "Jonathan is the managing Prartner at the firm and is sought after for his expertise in late-night licensing and reviews of premises licences".
Prior to becoming a licensing specialist, Jonathan practised almost exclusively in commercial and corporate law but he is now firmly established as a national licensing advocate, developing a recognised expertise in the field of late-night licensing and reviews of Premise Licences.
Jonathan has developed a considerable level of experience in dealing with reviews of Premise Licences and closure orders. Jonathan has dealt with over 100 licensing reviews all around the country. In one memorable case he took part in a three-day review and ultimately retained the licence despite the police application for revocation!
Jonathan regularly speaks at trade conferences for organisations such as the Institute Of Licensing and provides training on the Licensing Act 2003 and other related Legislation to council officers, elected members and police forces. He has an excellent relationship with the local authorities.
Jonathan became Managing Partner of the business at the start of 2006 and is one of the key new business drivers for the firm having attracted Bourne Leisure, County Estate Management, Domino's Pizza, House of Fraser, Jarvis Hotels, Little Chef, London Town Management Services Limited and Matalan as clients.
Lisa Sharkey
Partner
Lisa has specialised in licensing since 1992 and has been a member of Poppleston Allen since its inception. She became a partner in January 2001.
With many years experience in all sectors, from late-night licensing and lap dancing to the pub, club and hotel sectors. There isn't much in the way of licensing that Lisa hasn't experienced. The Chambers Guide states "Lisa Sharkey is a cutting-edge practitioner with impressive negotiating skills".
Lisa splits her time between our Nottingham and London offices and utilises her expertise of the London market by acting for a large number of independent clients and multiple operators.
She is a respected advocate and speaks regularly at legal training sessions, client forums and trade conferences.
Nick Arron
Partner
Nick is a solicitor and the lead partner in the Betting and Gaming Team, having responsibility for Operating, Personal and Premises Licences under the Gambling Act 2005.
Nick acts for a wide variety of leisure operators from large corporations to single site operators, including bookmakers, bingo operators, family entertainment centres and adult gaming centre arcades, clubs and gaming machine manufacturers and suppliers. His clients are from the terrestrial land based sector and on-line gambling world and Nick has particular expertise with web based operations. He advises major leisure companies including Butlins, Crown Leisure, Haven Leisure Limited, Namco, Paddy Power, Parkdean, Six Piers and Tenpin.
Nick is acting for Nikolas Shaw ltd in the first appeal relating to the new casinos under the Gambling Act 2005.
He sits on the Bourne Leisure Group Gambling Risk Management Committee and on the Executive Committee of the Bingo Association. He has written gambling law qualifications and regularly delivers training to local authority officers. councillors, the police, operators, Personal Management Licence Holders and staff involved in gaming, betting and lotteries.
Nick contributes regularly to the trade press, including The Publican, the Morning Advertiser and the BII Business magazine. Nick has co-written the definitive pocket guide to the new licensing act, called The 2010 Licensed Trade Guide with Jeremy Allen and Graeme Cushion.
Latterly, Nick has developed Poppelston Allen's employment law service in conjunction Nelsons Solicitors, which provides retail operators with basic employment documentation from members of staff, information pertinent to the leisure industry and regular news updates.
Downs Solicitors
The Tanners
75 Meadrow
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 3HU
01483 861848
Operating - East, London and South East
Downs Solicitors is a leading Surrey-based firm of lawyers who have been providing legal services to both businesses and individuals since 1836. Downs Solicitors work from offices in Dorking and Godalming.
As a result of their experience and knowledge of working with the leisure industry, they have created a specialist leisure group that can advise on a broad range of disciplines. Their cross disciplinary team comprises members of their Corporate and Commercial, Commercial Property, Employment and Dispute Resolution Departments.
They can advise on the acquisition and disposal of all types of licensed premises e.g., pubs, nightclubs, sports venues, restaurants and hotels, as well as advising tenants on the interpretation of leases with breweries and pub co's.
Sue Scott
Partner
Susan has worked for a number of leading City law firms covering all aspects of commercial and residential property law. Susan is experienced in advising banks and building societies on secured lending. She also has extensive experience of the licensed trade, having acted for a number of leisure groups on a wide variety of acquisitions and disposals including licensing aspects.
Bevan Kidwell LLP
113-117 Farringdon Road
London
EC1R 3BX
020 78431820
Operating - Nationally
Bevan Kidwell LLP is a commercial law firm; covering all aspects of commercial property, licensing, litigation, corporate and commercial, employment, IP, insolvency and residential property. They are specialists in the leisure industry and act for a number of operators in the restaurant, food and beverage, public house, clubs and bars sectors. John Bevan heads up the commercial property department and Lisa Inzani heads up the licensing department; they have long established links with developers, operators, leisure agents and surveyors. Bevan Kidwell act for start ups, owner managed businesses and national chains. In terms of advice; they give pro-active commercial constructive advice; they get the job done within the client's timescale and at a fee that is fair to all.
John Bevan
Partner
John Bevan is head of Bevan Kidwell's property department. John has specialised in the leisure industry for the past 15 years. He has particular expertise in the leisure industry acting for a number of operators in the restaurant, food and beverage, public house, clubs and bars sector. John also acts for tenants. John has long established links with leisure agents and surveyors. John advises on all aspects of property matters within the leisure industry such as business acquisitions and disposals, pub leases, lease renewals and related matters. John also acts for lenders in dealing with their requirements for secured lending.
John believes that focusing on the client goals, requirements and expectations from the outset gets the job done in the most commercial and cost-effective way possible. John's view is that providing commercial straightforward advice, within the client's timescale and budget, is the key to client satisfaction and good client service.
In addition to the Leisure sector John's clients base ranges from private investors through to pensions funds.
Lisa Inzani
Partner
Lisa Inzani is head of Bevan Kidwell's Licensing Department. Lisa specialises in liquor licensing, undertaking all types of licensing work from large scale new Premises Licence Applications for national chains to Personal Licence Application for individuals.
Whilst Lisa deals with clients nationwide, the majority of her work is based in London, and through her close relationship with individual London Authorities, Lisa is able to guide her clients effectively and successfully through the licensing process from start to finish.
Westminster Council are regarded by many as the strictest Licensing Authority in the country yet Lisa has carved out something of a niche with Westminster, her team being "noted for its capabilities in from of Westminster Council". Having successfully represented a variety of venues in the borough including nightclubs, a 24 hour cafe, and even bars licensed fro nudity, Lisa works within the tightest of margins using her knowledge and skill to achieve remarkable results.
Although all Licensing Applications are different, Lisa and her team are able to draw on their years of experience to advise at the beginning of the matter on likely obstacles that may be encountered and give practical, pro-active advice on steps to be undertaken in order to bring the matter to a successful conclusion.
Described in Chambers Guides as 'Pocket Dynamo' Lisa works hard for her clients who come back time after time. In an every changing industry, Lisa's work is not limited simply to applications and representation but everyday practical advice in order to ensure that clients can maximise the benefits of their license without breaching any conditions which may be imposed on them.
2-3 Grays Inn Square
Chambers of Mark Lowe QV
2.3 Grays Inn Square
London
WC1R 5JH
0207 2424986
http://www.2-3graysinnsquare.co.uk/
Philip Kolvin QC
PKolvin@2-3graysinnsquare.co.uk
After a law degree at Balliol College, Oxford, Philip was called to the Bar in 1985. He has practised at 2-3 Grays Inn Square, London WC1 since 1994, where he is Head of Licensing. He was awarded Silk in 2009. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Philip is widely published in the field of licensing. He is the editor of:
- Licensed Premises; Law and Practice (2nd edition due in 2011)
- Sex Licensing (2010)
- Gambling for Local Authorities: Licensing, Planning and Regeneration (2nd edition published 2010)
Since 2004, Philip has been the Chairman of the Institute of Licensing, which is a charity representing professionals from across the field of licensing.
Philip has also been chair of the Purple Flag Advisory Board since 2007. Purple Flag is a scheme established with support from the industry, government, local government and the police to accredit town centres which provide and promote safe, welcoming, diverse and accessible night time economies.
He has also chaired a British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body committee to develop a new qualification for the management of the night time economy.
Philip has devised and chaired many national conferences in the field.
He has appeared in many of the leading licensing cases across the spectrum of alcohol control, sex licensing and gambling from committees to the High Court.
His industry clients have included brands such as William Hill, Gala Coral, Sainsbury's, Asda, Shepherd Neame, Hall & Woodhouse and Regent Inns. Philip has also represented, advised and trained hundreds of licensing authorities (both officers and members). He is highly experienced in licensing committee and magistrates' court work.
Philip has provided work for the BII on legislation, including:
- Briefings for MPs/ministers/civil servants/press
- Written responses to consultation
- Technical/legal advice
- Strategic advice
- Responses to consultation on changes to guidance and local policies in consequence of legislation
- Any judicial challenges arising from the Act.
- Platform speaking
Philip on communicating with the industry:
- Summit for Pub Cos
- Holding Seminars and Webinars
- Hosting web chats
- Simple guide for publicans
Philip and his services for industry clients:
- Hotline
- Standard rates for work. The Bar can now take Direct Access work so that there is no need for an interposing solicitor. Clients could instruct at different rates from senior to junior levels.
- Block contracting. In a key development, the Bar can now set up what are called ProcureCos. These are companies established by barristers to contract at a corporate level with a large client to do its legal work (or sectors of its legal work) generally. The ProcureCo is then capable of drawing in other expertise - e.g. surveyors, experts, even solicitors, as the contract requires. A great benefit for larger clients is cost control - i.e. they can outsource at a price, and contract for particular service levels, turnaround times etc.
