DMH Stallard LLP’s travel team is recognised as a market leader and is regularly sought after by tour operators, travel agents, online travel providers, destination management companies, and industry suppliers. The team is well-equipped to advise on a wide range of commercial matters, with particular strength in package travel and ATOL regulations. The travel practice sits within the firm’s broader commercial department, led by Debbie Venn, a specialist in the travel sector. She brings significant expertise in logistics, cross-border agreements, agency relationships, distribution arrangements, and terms of sale. Rebecca Thornley-Gibson is also highly recommended, frequently acting as a trusted adviser to some of the travel industry’s largest companies and senior executives. Abigail Maino departed the firm for an in-house role in December 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Debbie Venn is a brilliant technical lawyer with a deep-rooted understanding of the travel regulatory framework. Rebecca Thornley-Gibson is an astute employment lawyer who knows how to navigate the toughest of employment issues affecting the industry. Helen Mead is a fantastic corporate lawyer who has worked with many travel clients to give them sage advice when dealing with transactions and corporate issues.’
- ‘Debbie Venn is very personable which, aside from technical astuteness, makes the experience easy. Her responses are always prompt, substantive, and friendly.’
- ‘Rebecca Thornley-Gibson took time to get into detail on the work they were engaged for. She was quick to grasp our requirements and adapted according to our unique situations.’
- ‘My Australian legal practice specialises in travel and tourism law, and I have referred several clients to DMH Stallard for advice on regulatory compliance relating to their UK operations. One such client is among Australia’s largest tourism experience operators, with substantial investments in tourism properties, attractions, and transport services. DMH Stallard — and Debbie Venn in particular — provided this client with valuable compliance advice regarding the UK Package Travel Regulations. DMH's approach is extremely collaborative, and their knowledge of the workings of the travel industry and associated legal considerations is expert.’
Key clients
- Specialised Travel Ltd
- Dante Active Ltd
- Hovertravel Ltd
- 15below Ltd
- Themis Advisory Ltd
- Martin Randall Travel Limited
Work highlights
Dante Active – acting for a specialist sports activity ad tour provider, dealing with matters relating to the sale of bespoke packages through schools, ensuring they have the right framework in place to trade, including legal documentation and advice on regulatory compliance.
Hovertravel – continuing to act as the outsourced legal function for a passenger hovercraft service business. Advising in relation to its contracts with suppliers, distributors and agents, as well as booking T&Cs and data protection, ensuring the business complies with applicable laws and regulations.
Themis Advisory – acting on a white-labelled basis for various clients of Themis (a specialist legal consultancy to the travel sector), mainly in relation to provision of IT services and data protection matters, including SaaS services to be operated by travel businesses and digital marketing services.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Debbie Venn
Other key lawyers
Rebecca Thornley-Gibson; Helen Mead; Danos Athanasi;