Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Leading Associates

Licensing in Scotland

Miller Samuel Hill Brown Solicitors

With an in-depth understanding of Scottish licensing law, the team at Miller Samuel Hill Brown Solicitors is geared to handle an array of matters encompassing both contentious and non-contentious issues. The team’s extensive experience draws in a roster of household name clients as well as a growing public sector offering. Practice chair Audrey Junner‘s specialism in liquor and gambling licensing sees her regularly appear in Licensing Board hearings on behalf of clients in the hospitality and retail sector. The team also benefits from the experience of seasoned practitioners Jack Cummins and Peter Lawson on mandates in the hospitality, retail, and transport sectors. Chloe Crawford is recognised for her civic and liquor licensing experience, frequently appearing at Licensing Board hearings.

Responsables de la pratique:

Audrey Junner


Autres avocats clés:

Peter Lawson; Jack Cummins; Chloe Crawford


Les références

‘Excellent support in Premises License and Gaming Permit requirements.’

‘First class communication and delivery.’

‘Their advice and work is always first rate and the team are all very helpful and approachable.’

Principaux clients

Co-operative Group Food Limited


Six by Nico Group


Brewdog Retail Limited


Nando’s Chickenland Ltd


Mitchells & Butlers Retail Limited


Stonegate Pub Company Limited


Tenpin Limited


Tesco Stores Limited


Chivas Brothers Limited


Ascona Retail Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Co-operative Group Food Limited on several provisional premises licence applications and transfer applications as part of a national expansion.
  • Advised Clydeside Initiative for Arts Limited t/a SWG3 on a premises licence review following a series of highly publicised drug-related deaths.
  • Advised TSH Glasgow Opco Limited on the acquisition of both a Premises Licence and an HMO Licence for the new Social Hub in Glasgow city centre.

TLT

TLT‘s team of specialist lawyers are well-versed in all aspects of licensing mandates. The team has brought its experience to bear on a number of major and complex projects for household name clients in the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors. The practice is spearheaded by Stephen McGowan, whose track record in contentious Licensing Board hearings wins him instructions from an extensive list of clients from the liquor, gambling, and entertainment industries. Caroline Loudon utilises her background as a commercial litigator to routinely represent high-level clients from the gambling sector, while Lynn Simpson bolsters the firm’s short-term let licensing offering.

Responsables de la pratique:

Stephen McGowan


Autres avocats clés:

Caroline Loudon; Lynn Simpson


Les références

‘This team has made it their mission to get to know the workings of every licensing board, they are prompt, responsive, and lovely to deal with. If there is a way to get something done, they will find it for you.’

‘Always someone available to help with any issues that we have.’

‘Caroline Loudon is the contact that we work closely with, nothing is too much trouble for her, very helpful.’

Principaux clients

Aldi Stores Limited


Sainsbury’s


Celtic FC


Ian Macleod Distillers


Flight Club


Chris Stewart Group


Signature Group


Greene King


Rangers FC


National Trust for Scotland


Principaux dossiers


  • Instructed by Uber Scot Limited for licensing work under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to obtain booking office licences to allow Uber to operate in two cities in Scotland.
  • Advised Welcome Break on licensing two potentially “excluded” premises within a motorway service station.
  • Acted on behalf of Ambassador Theatre Group which own Edinburgh’s famous Playhouse Theatre; the client bought the neighbouring licensed premises, a former LGBT venue called Cafe Habana, and incorporated the site into the main theatre licence.

Harper Macleod LLP

Advising on the full spectrum of licensing regulation, Harper Macleod LLP regularly handles licensing applications, hearings, and appeals. The team is a port of call for high-profile clients from the forecourt, leisure and hospitality sectors. Practice head Andrew Hunter has a strong book of work relating to liquor, gambling, and civic government licensing and works closely with John McHugh. Angus Brown is noted for his litigation expertise across mandates from the forecourt and property sectors.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrew Hunter


Autres avocats clés:

John McHugh; Angus Brown


Les références

‘We have been working with Andrew Hunter at Harper Macleod since Licensing transition in 2007. He is very knowledgeable and always comes up with good advice and solutions to challenges. We find Andrew and his team very approachable, and they always respond quickly to our queries.’

‘The team have excellent communication skills.’

‘Andrew takes time to listen to the issues at hand and always provides advice that is in the best interest of the client. Andrew prides himself on following up on matters until a resolution is obtained or the matter has been determined at hearing. He provides clear, concise advice.’

Principaux clients

Motor Fuel Limited


Forest Holidays Limited


Lidl Great Britain Limited


Macdonald & Muir Limited


Greene King Brewing & Retail Limited


Royal Tain Hotel Limited


Highland Fuels Limited


BP Oil UK Limited


Rosemount Taverns Limited


Hotel Chocolat Retail Limited


Principaux dossiers


Morton Fraser MacRoberts

With a ‘diverse range of expertise’, the team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts is experienced in all manner of licensing mandates from both the public and private sector. The team’s diverse client base sees it receive instructions from the hospitality, charitable, and retail sectors. The team is led by David Hossack, who is able to leverage his vast experience before licensing boards to guide clients through licensing applications and hearings. Ewan McGillivray has established himself as a go-to name for civic government licensing matters, while Dana Strain offers assistance on liquor licensing mandates.

Responsables de la pratique:

David Hossack


Autres avocats clés:

Ewan McGillivray; Dana Strain


Les références

‘Diverse range of expertise of the team, they listen to the issues first before making recommendations and work through the options with you.’

‘David Hossack, a powerful mediator and he is able to understand what a client needs for their business to be successful.’

‘David Hossack has been dealing with all my licensing matters for many years and he has always been very good, very professional.’

Principaux clients

WeWork Community Workspace UK Limited


Diageo Scotland Ltd


Accor (UK) Hotels


Travelodge Hotels


Parabola


Historic Environment Scotland


The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo


MCL Recipe Limited


Deaf Action


Security Industry Association


Principaux dossiers


  • Obtained a new licence for Historic Scotland Enterprises Limited for a visitor centre at Caerlaverock Castle.
  • Obtained a variation of a licence for Diageo for Glenkinchie distillery Brand Home to allow a greater range of activities.
  • Obtained a Provisional Premises Licence for the Port Ellen distillery visitor experience.

Pinsent Masons LLP

Pinsent Masons LLP is well regarded for its licensing work across the Scottish market, with liquor, gambling and civic government licensing issues all falling within the unit’s purview. The team is noted in the hospitality, tourism, and leisure sectors for its experience handling high-value and complex licensing applications and transactions. The practice benefits from the expertise of Audrey Ferrie, who routinely appears at licensing hearings on behalf of clients from the hospitality and leisure sectors. Abbie Hunter is active on short-term let licensing, and Christine Pirie has a strong track record appearing at Licensing Board hearings.

Autres avocats clés:

Audrey Ferrie; Abbie Hunter; Christine Pirie


Les références

‘Very knowledgeable regarding Scottish Licensing Laws and assist with application for license, updates, Training for Personal Licence and and License holders, license updates and renewals etc.’

‘Audrey Ferry and the team are very knowledgeable and helpful. Also very good at following up.’

Principaux clients

ADAGIO HOTELS UK LIMITED


ADIL GROUP – KFC & TACO BELL


AZZURRI RESTAURANTS LIMITED (ASK & ZIZZI)


EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE LIMITED


LARGO LEISURE GROUP LIMITED


PIZZA EXPRESS LIMITED


ROYAL YACHT ENTERPRISES LIMITED (BRITANNIA & FINGAL)


TESCO PLC/TESCO STORES LIMITED


WAGAMAMA LIMITED


YO! SUSHI LIMITED


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Royal Yacht Enterprises Limited on the provisional grant of a new premises licence for its refurbished Visitor Centre and Retail Shop.
  • Advised Wagamama on the licensing for its new restaurant in the centre of Glasgow.
  • Obtained a new alcohol licence for Tesco Express premises in a new development at The Wisp, Edmonstone, Midlothian.

Anderson Strathern

Lauded for its 'great insight and advice', the team at Anderson Strathern is highly skilled at handling both the transactional and contentious elements of licensing instructions. Representative work for the group covers mandates from the hospitality, retail, and public sectors. Katrina Lumsdaine leads the group, and Scott Flannigan is noted for his prowess on the contentious side of licensing work, often representing clients from the hospitality industry in alcohol and late-night catering applications. Eilidh MacEwan is instructed by public sector clients to act in appeals.

Responsables de la pratique:

Katrina Lumsdaine


Autres avocats clés:

Scott Flannigan; Eilidh MacEwan


Les références

‘We have worked with Anderson Strathern for many years now and have always found them efficient, timely and trustworthy. I would gladly recommend Anderson Strathern to anyone who wanted advice.’

‘Just a great team to work with, with great insight and advice for the local areas we operate in.’

‘Eilidh MacEwan stood out for me because of her straightforward and prompt approach to communication, skilful negotiation and awareness of client sensitivities.’

Principaux clients

Scottish Midland Co-operative Society Limited


Union Street Café Limited


JMS Properties (Scotland) Limited


McDonald’s Restaurants Limited


JE Restaurants Ltd


Dishoom


Fanfare Restaurants Limited


City of Edinburgh Council


Merlin Entertainments (Sea Life) Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Undertake all of Scotmid’s licensing work, submitting numerous applications and variations, mostly for alcohol premises licences.
  • Involved as a legal adviser of Union Street Café Limited, advising the team on various licensing aspects of the recently opened restaurant at St Andrews Square, Edinburgh.
  • Undertake all of McDonald’s licensing work in Scotland (for both McDonalds and its franchisees), submitting numerous applications and variations, mostly for late hours catering licences.

Shepherd and Wedderburn

Acting for high-profile clients from the retail, hospitality, and taxi sectors, Shepherd and Wedderburn‘s practice is well-geared to handle the full range of licensing matters from new applications to variations and compliance issues. Kevin Clancy heads up the practice and handles various matters pertaining to alcohol, taxi and late hours catering applications. Serena Weir stands out for her skillset on contentious licensing board hearings and is often supported by Kirsty MacCorquodale.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kevin Clancy


Autres avocats clés:

Serena Weir; Kirsty MacCorquodale


Les références

‘A strong dedicated team in respect to knowledge of liquor licencing.’

Principaux clients

Crerar Hotel Group Limited


Dobbies Garden Centres


Dakota Hotels


Uber Scot Limited


TG Convenience Stores Limited


University of Edinburgh Accommodation Limited


Duchally House Leisure Limited


Balmoral Hotel


The Witchery by the Castle


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for the University of Edinburgh in respect of a new premises licence for the Edinburgh Futures Institute.
  • Acting for The Witchery in respect of a new premises licence application.
  • Appearing at numerous licensing committee hearings, representing applicants for short-term lets licences.