Licensing: Midlands

This highly regarded national player is widely regarded as one of the nation's leading licensing practices. Based in Nottingham, the firm provides the full spectrum of licensing advice to a large number of industry clients, acting for hotels, restaurant chains, casino operators, off-licence chains, breweries and universities. The firm regularly acts for Accor Hotels, ASK Restaurants, Bourne Leisure, Fuller's, Carluccio's, Majestic Wine Warehouse, Northern Racing and PizzaExpress. Sources say that "they have first-class industry knowledge, they know all the players."

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Anderson is praised for the quality of his advice and his professionalism when dealing with clients. He recently acted for Young & Co Brewery in relation to its purchase of 26 Geronimo pubs, and acted for Mark Hix on the licensing of Hix's. Lisa Sharkey is praised as an expert in her field and noted for her success before licensing committees. She recently acted in the re-licensing of the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Chelsea Harbour. Jonathan Smith is described by one client as "forthright, an able communicator and a skilled negotiator. He has produced some very good outcomes for my company in licensing reviews." Smith recently acted for a client subject to a police closure order, which was successfully stayed by means of a judicial review. Graeme Cushion heads the prosecutions and regulatory crime practice and, according to market sources, is "wonderful, a troubleshooter, definitely the most efficient licensing lawyer I've met."

Market sources are "very impressed" with this firm's Birmingham practice, which covers liquor licensing for a number of national restaurant operators, bars, and entertainment venues. The team also acts for clients in the licensing of gaming machines and lotteries. The firm's clients include The Restaurant Group, Ego Restaurants, Birmingham REP and Liberty (London). Clients praise the lawyers for being "very down-to-earth, client-focused and straight-talking."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Heath Thomas is praised as "a smooth advocate" who is "good at working out the angles" and "really quite brilliant." He recently acted for Barby (Jamie Oliver Enterprises) on a new premises licence for London restaurant Barbecoa and for Aston Villa Football Club on a variation to its premises licence.

This firm's Nottingham team handles licence applications and management, as well as acting for clients in contentious licensing work. The firm handles liquor and gaming licensing work for local and national clients, acting for, among others, Nottinghamshire Cricket Club, Nottingham Forest Football Club, Nottingham Rugby Club and Trust Inns.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Lucas has a wealth of licensing experience and is "always incredibly organised, conscientious, and incredibly knowledgeable" and "always looking to see what the solution is." He also "has a great understanding of licensing matters and the impact of legislative change."

This firm's Birmingham-based licensing team undertakes work for large national operations, including Select Service Partner, SSP Air, IHg Hotels, QMH Hotels and Jurys Inns. It also advises clients on the licensing of large entertainment venues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephanie Perraton heads the firm's licensing practice. According to market sources: "Her strengths include a thorough understanding of our business, the desire to do the best possible job for the client at an appropriate price and unparalleled sector knowledge."

This Derby-based firm advises a range of clients, both corporate and independent, on liquor and gaming licensing. The firm acts for Marstons nationally, managing the licensing of the firm's 3,500 licensed premises. He also acts for Heineken UK, the Youth Hostel Association of England and Wales, Kew Green Hotels and Real Derby Brewing.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Cochrane is "brilliant, a very charming man. He really knows his stuff, has an acute legal mind and really gets to the heart of the problem." He heads the firm's commercial dispute resolution department.

This firm's Leicester-based licensing team handles licensing and broader regulatory work for a mixture of national and local clients. The firm acts for supermarket chains, pubs, bars and restaurants, as well as retail clients and insurers with interests in licensed premises. The firm acts nationally for Aldi stores, as well as acting for a large number of Leicester-based independent clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Malcolm Radcliffe heads the firm's licensing department and also has expertise in commercial property, while senior associate Lisa Gilligan handles enforcement and broader regulatory work on behalf of the firm's clients and local authorities. 

This firm, which acts for a number of large national chains, has recently been handling an increased number of insolvency-related instructions, overseeing the transfer of a number of licensed premises from the Oddbins estate. The firm continues to manage McDonald's restaurants' licences, and also acts for the Paragon Pub Company and Cara Restaurants.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ron Reid is a key contact for licensing matters.