Keystone Law has a strong track record of advising on premises for large-scale hotel and hospitality developments, liquor and gambling licences, and licensing hearings and reviews, fielding a sizeable team with extensive experience. Among the key names in the team, Gareth Hughes is particularly active in the hospitality sector; Marcus Lavell represents some of the leading nightclubs and bars in the West End, and has ‘an excellent reputation, especially in the toughest licence reviews' before London licensing authorities; and Andrew Wong is ’especially strong' in advising on licence applications for large mixed-use developments. Craig Baylis and Niall McCann also lend expertise to the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Very high quality at all levels of experience.’
‘Andrew Wong is a licensing maestro. Commercially astute to an exceptional level. A strategic thinker in licensing. Especially strong in applications for large landmark mixed-use developments, luxury hotels and restaurants in central London. There is no one better at what he does. Andrew provides a real advantage to any applicant making a major make-or-break licence application.'
- 'Marcus Lavell is rapidly making a major name for himself in licence applications and appeals both large and small. Works tirelessly and effectively in the most complex of matters. An excellent reputation, especially in the toughest licence reviews before Westminster and other London licensing authorities.’
‘Definitely one of the best licensing teams in London in my opinion.’
‘Marcus Lavell has amazing technical knowledge and a good instinct for which points are worth fighting. He has a great understanding of the overlap with public law.'
- 'Robert Sutherland is a real genius when it comes to licensing law.’
Key clients
- Allhallows Trading Limited
- Kindred Concepts Limited
- Tide Global Ltd
- Glass House Eastbourne Limited
- Barworks (Soho) Limited
- Raf One (UK) Limited
- Nightlight Leisure Ltd
- Night & Day Cafe Limited
- Fulham Football club
- Diageo Great Britain Ltd
Work highlights
Advised Allhallows Trading Limited (trading as The Steelyard, a multi-function venue which mainly operates as a bar and nightclub) on an application to vary the hours on Sundays for all licensable activities.
Advised Kindred Concepts on all aspects of licensing relating to the launch of a new Formula 1 competitive socialising experience in London known as the F1 Arcade.
Advised Tide Global Ltd on an application for the relevant temporary licence to permit a festival to go ahead during the August Bank Holiday weekend 2023.
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Other key lawyers
Gareth Hughes; Robert Sutherland; Marcus Lavell; Craig Baylis; Andrew Wong; Niall McCann