Lauded as ‘persuasive before any forum, whether it is a court or a licensing panel, with a non-confrontational style that gets results’, Cornerstone Barristers has a large public sector client base within licensing, with local authorities featuring as key clients for senior counsel within the set. In this regard, James Findlay KC is adept in all forms of local authority licensing, in addition to a full range of gambling and alcohol licensing expertise, as well as challenging licensing applications with local councils, including city councils. Ranjit Bhose KC has been involved in high-profile licensing cases, precedent setting work for Uber, including representing the claimant in Uber Britannia Limited v Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council. Josef Cannon KC, who was appointed silk in 2024, was also involved this case. Taxi litigation is a strong area of expertise for Asitha Ranatunga, a key junior within the set, and elsewhere sexual entertainment venue licensing, and public entertainment licensing are also cornerstones of the work for barristers.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Licensing; planning; public law.
Position
Practice Areas
Josef’s practice at the Bar focuses on licensing, town and country planning, regulatory work, and property including landlord and tenant. He is recognised as a leading junior, in both licensing and planning, by Chambers and Partners.
Clients
He acts for and advises a wide range of local authorities, the licensed trade, developers, regulatory bodies, landlords and private individuals. He is also an accredited mediator, with particular expertise in mediating disputes in the public sector, particularly where they relate to planning or licensing.
Recent work
In recent years he has:
- represented Uber Britannia Limited in a Part 8 claim in the High Court as to the correct interpretation of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976
- successfully reinstated a licence for a music festival operator in Hertfordshire
- successfully defended a series of refusals of planning permission for residential schemes in the Green Belt, and
- acted for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council in a judicial review against its sex licensing policy.
Publications
Contributor to textbooks and Journals, including Licensed Premises: Law and Practice and the Journal of Licensing.
Career
Called 2002, Lincoln’s Inn. Member of Cornerstone Barristers 2004 to date.
Languages
French, Spanish.
Memberships
- Institute of Licensing (IoL)
- Planning and Environment Bar Association (PEBA)
- Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA)
Education
Wymondham College, Norfolk; Kings College London (LLB (Hons)); College of Law (BVC).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Good advocacy with technical knowledge and drafting skills
- 'Helpful clerks, well run chambers.'
- 'Excellent advocates. Good choice if you want to win a complex licensing matter.'
- 'Excellent clerks. We believe that they have unsurpassed expertise in licensing matters.'
- 'Persuasive before any forum (court or licensing panel) with a non-confrontational style that gets results. Excellent with clients.'