Cornerstone Barristers has a strong reputation in licensing and is known as ‘an excellent set for a wide range of local government matters‘ often working on gambling licensing matters and other licensing matters for local authorities. The caseload handled by barristers spans the full range of licensing work, including gambling, alcohol, and private hire advice, for which James Findlay KC is well-reputed, often working for local councils. Ranjit Bhose KC, who has expertise in policy work, another strength of the chambers. As well as local authorities, the set is also instructed by national regulators, the police, and many other public authorities on licensing matters, as well as a range of private companies, often handling planning and regeneration related licensing and sexual entertainment venue licensing cases. Asitha Ranatunga has been engaged in public entertainment matters under the Licensing Act 2003, and also in taxi litigation. Josef Cannon KC, who took silk in 2024, is notable for his continued representation of Uber in an important case in the taxi licensing sphere.
Licensing in
London Bar
Cornerstone Barristers
Les références
‘A leading regulatory and public law set, with exceptional counsel.’
‘I generally use Cornerstone as my first port of call for anything licensing-related that requires counsel, as they have an excellent reputation in this regard. They’re generally always able to find the right barrister for the job.’
‘Cornerstone have produced some of the best public and regulatory barristers in the country.’
Francis Taylor Building
Francis Taylor Building is ‘one of the premier sets in the context of alcohol licensing and has excellent strength in terms of some of the leading juniors around.’ The set houses barristers who represent nightclubs, bars, restaurants, casinos, betting shops, and major festivals, among others. Gerald Gouriet KC chiefly acted in gambling licensing matters in 2024, but represented Veezu Holdings Limited as an intervener in Uber Britannia v Sefton MBC, a case concerning if private hire platforms who accept bookings are required to themselves enter into a contractual obligation with the passenger to provide the journey. Also of note is David Matthias KC, who is adept at representing local authorities with licensing policies, and has a great deal of experience in this area. Another key name to note is Jeremy Phillips KC, whose ‘knowledge of premises licensing is immense‘. The set’s deep bench of juniors includes Leo Charalambides whose ‘knowledge of areas around licensing, such as the public sector equality duty’ stands out, whilst also specialising in licensing. Charalambides recently led a challenge in the High Court by a south London nightclub to the lawfulness of holding a remote licensing hearing, during which its premises license was revoked.
Les références
‘The number of licensing experts sets them apart.’
‘Without doubt the leading set for licensing and planning matters for the hospitality sector.’
‘It is a leading licensing set with some of the most famous names in the industry. It has strong depth in the licensing and regulatory field and they have been a joy to work with. Also, the clerks are fantastic. They have been amazing at helping us organise representation and dealing with important issues such as setting dates. They are integral and are very dependable.’
Three Raymond Buildings
Referred to as ‘very well regarded in the licensing field‘. Three Raymond Buildings continues to handle high volumes of licensing work, including juniors in their early years of practice. Michael Bromley-Martin KC‘s ‘wealth of experience in crime brings invaluable input when dealing with cases against the police‘. Matthew Butt KC has a broad licensing practice but stands out for his strength in firearms licensing work. A 2024 silk appointment, Saba Naqshbandi KC represented the Wolseley Group in gaining an extension to the licence of Manzi’s of Soho.
Les références
‘Recognised as one of if not the leading licensing set in the UK. Significant volumes of licensing work come into the Chambers and its fair to say that almost all of the barristers from pupils up, undertake high volumes of licensing through their early years.’
‘Very well regarded in the licensing field. they would be classed as a ‘go to’ set for licensing matters.’
‘For me they are the best set for licensing with an unparalleled breath of expertise across licensing, regulatory and crime which often provides an invaluable knowledge bank for complex licensing cases.’
Cornerstone Barristers
Les références
‘A leading regulatory and public law set, with exceptional counsel.’
‘I generally use Cornerstone as my first port of call for anything licensing-related that requires counsel, as they have an excellent reputation in this regard. They’re generally always able to find the right barrister for the job.’
‘Cornerstone have produced some of the best public and regulatory barristers in the country.’
Francis Taylor Building
Francis Taylor Building is ‘one of the premier sets in the context of alcohol licensing and has excellent strength in terms of some of the leading juniors around.’ The set houses barristers who represent nightclubs, bars, restaurants, casinos, betting shops, and major festivals, among others. Gerald Gouriet KC chiefly acted in gambling licensing matters in 2024, but represented Veezu Holdings Limited as an intervener in Uber Britannia v Sefton MBC, a case concerning if private hire platforms who accept bookings are required to themselves enter into a contractual obligation with the passenger to provide the journey. Also of note is David Matthias KC, who is adept at representing local authorities with licensing policies, and has a great deal of experience in this area. Another key name to note is Jeremy Phillips KC, whose ‘knowledge of premises licensing is immense‘. The set’s deep bench of juniors includes Leo Charalambides whose ‘knowledge of areas around licensing, such as the public sector equality duty’ stands out, whilst also specialising in licensing. Charalambides recently led a challenge in the High Court by a south London nightclub to the lawfulness of holding a remote licensing hearing, during which its premises license was revoked.
Les références
‘The number of licensing experts sets them apart.’
‘Without doubt the leading set for licensing and planning matters for the hospitality sector.’
‘It is a leading licensing set with some of the most famous names in the industry. It has strong depth in the licensing and regulatory field and they have been a joy to work with. Also, the clerks are fantastic. They have been amazing at helping us organise representation and dealing with important issues such as setting dates. They are integral and are very dependable.’
Three Raymond Buildings
Referred to as ‘very well regarded in the licensing field‘. Three Raymond Buildings continues to handle high volumes of licensing work, including juniors in their early years of practice. Michael Bromley-Martin KC‘s ‘wealth of experience in crime brings invaluable input when dealing with cases against the police‘. Matthew Butt KC has a broad licensing practice but stands out for his strength in firearms licensing work. A 2024 silk appointment, Saba Naqshbandi KC represented the Wolseley Group in gaining an extension to the licence of Manzi’s of Soho.
Les références
‘Recognised as one of if not the leading licensing set in the UK. Significant volumes of licensing work come into the Chambers and its fair to say that almost all of the barristers from pupils up, undertake high volumes of licensing through their early years.’
‘Very well regarded in the licensing field. they would be classed as a ‘go to’ set for licensing matters.’
‘For me they are the best set for licensing with an unparalleled breath of expertise across licensing, regulatory and crime which often provides an invaluable knowledge bank for complex licensing cases.’