The Legal 500

United Kingdom > North > Crime, fraud and licensing > Licensing

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Associate Matthew Foster does a ‘good job’ at Mincoff Solicitors LLP. Key highlights included advising a number of charities on fundraising methods, handling s136 prosecutions, and varying several operating licences to include bingo and betting activities.

The service provided by Sintons LLP is of the ‘highest quality’. The team advised the University of Northumbria in its application for a new premises licence for its £42m Sport Central building, and handles 70% of the licensing applications submitted to Newcastle County Council. Practice head Sarah Smith is recommended.

Stephen Graham’s team at Ward Hadaway continues to advise Hotel du Vin, Malmaison Hotels and a large national supermarket chain.

Watson Burton LLP’s Richard Arnot recently acted for Co-operative Food Group in its application for a new premises licence for a flagship store on The Strand, London, and successfully represented a nightclub owner in a four-day appeal against Northumbria Police.

At Dickinson Dees LLP, Stuart Wardlaw’s team represents applicants and objectors at licensing hearings, and handles new premises licence applications.

Freemans’ two-partner team handles liquor, restaurant and hotel licences.

Hay & Kilner provides licensing services to hotels, public houses, restaurants, clubs and late-night takeaway shops, and has a developing practice in betting and gaming.

McKenzie Bell’s client roster includes a prominent chain of convenience stores and several breweries. David Pearson is the main contact.

The two-partner team at Patterson Glenton & Stracey has liquor and entertainment licensing experience, and acts for Ladbrokes on casino and gambling matters.

The team at TBI provides licensing services to restaurants, clubs and public houses.

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Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • COUNCIL TAX

    In Harrow LBC v Ayiku [2012] EWHC 1200 (Admin) Sales J held that the word “or” in the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, art 3 Class N, had a disjunctive meaning, therefore it was sufficient for the non-British spouse of a foreign student to satisfy one or other of the two conditions, namely being prevented from taking paid employment or being prevented from claiming benefits, in order to qualify as a “relevant person” who was exempted from liability to pay council tax.
    - 11KBW
  • QUEEN’S SPEECH

    Bills already introduced pursuant to the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012 include Local Government Finance Bill and Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, both accompanied by Explanatory Notes, which in each case address ECHR compatibility.
    - 11KBW
  • Standards

    In R (Calver) v Adjudication Panel for Wales [2012] EWHC 1172 (Admin) Mr Calver was a member of Manorbier Community Council who successfully challenged the decision of the Panel to dismiss his appeal against a decision by Prembrokeshire County Council Standards Committee censuring him for a number of comments or blogs posted by him on a website he owned and controlled.
    - 11KBW
  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
    - 11KBW
  • Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

    In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:
    - 11KBW
  • Public Sector Equality Duty

    Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.
    - 11KBW
  • Judicial Review

    The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.
    - 11KBW
  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

    After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
    - 11KBW
  • Immigration update May 2012

    In this issue:
  • Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

    A premium service for sponsors will be launched by the UKBA on 6 April 2012. The service is designed specifically for companies that sponsor international employees under tier 2 and 5 of the points based system and aims to provide them with enhanced support.

Press Releases in the UK

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