Licensing: London

Berwin Leighton Paisner has traditionally been a leading firm across the spectrum of alcohol and gaming licensing. Its alcohol and leisure practice remains undiminished and it is instructed by heavy-hitting clients including Tesco Stores, Blanc Brasseries, Tragus Holdings, Corney & Barrow, Marriott Hotels, Selfridges and TGI Friday’s. The firm handles the full range of licensing work, including applications and reviews for Tesco Stores, which entails 50-100 hearings a year, and the licensing of large one-off projects including the luxurious 5-star Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge. The firm's lawyers acted for Townlink in the widely reported judicial review - R (on the application of Townlink) v Thames Magistrates Court - which set out the manner to be adopted by a magistrates' court in the conduct of a licensing appeal. The firm's gaming team has experience in the online and offline sectors, and has undertaken work such as advising Gamesys in its licensing agreement with ITV for the rights to the game show Red or Black Gaming. Clients of the firm include Playtech, AsianLogic, Evolution Gaming, Worldspreads, Great Eastern Quays Casino and Hippodrome Casino.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources describe Jeremy Bark as a "very commercial, client-friendly and knowledgeable solicitor." His expertise embraces both liquor licensing and gaming licensing. He has attended licensing hearings across England and Wales on Tesco's behalf, some of which were in the face of substantial opposition. His gaming practice is largely focused on land-based work, particularly in relation to casino licensing. A source called him "the sort of individual who is able to get across to clients quite difficult legal concepts in very simple-to-understand terms."

Craig Baylis "really is a leader in the leisure industry field," one source said. Head of BLP's liquor and leisure licensing practice, his expertise in the area is recognised by clients, peers and barristers alike. He has applied for a number of licences on behalf of TGI Friday's, including carrying out the advocacy before licensing boards, as well as licensing large events such as the Burberry London fashion week. A source said that "clients absolutely adore him - he makes it all make sense and they understand what he is saying."

Bevan Kidwell's practice in this field specialises in providing licensing services to the night-time economy, particularly bars, restaurants, nightclubs and SEVs. The firm's primary focus is London, where it regularly represents clients with premises inside notorious cumulative impact zones such as Westminster and Camden. Bevan Kidwell's lawyers undertake a range of Licensing Act 2003 work including applying for personal and premises licences, licence variations, temporary event licences and licence reviews.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Lisa Inzani is Bevan Kidwell's senior licensing lawyer. Sources say that she "has a superb way with clients - a very engaging personality - she knows the law and knows the procedure of the licensing boards." Another source stated: "She will fight tooth-and-nail for you."

DLA Piper's gaming practice was revitalised after Hilary Stewart-Jones and Stephen Ketteley joined in September 2011, bringing a strong list of clients with them. The London office acts as a hub, servicing its clients and connecting them with DLA's gambling practices in different European jurisdictions. The firm's lawyers are regulatory specialists, and one source said: "They're second to none. They don't make mistakes - you're dealing in an area where most of the time you're telling people things they don't want to know, and their advice is extremely prudent." Gaming clients of the firm include Gamesys, Inspired Gaming, NetPlay, Oneworks, Playtech, Scientific Games Group and SportingBet. The firm also advises Barclays, WorldPay and Elavon in the context of providing payment services to the gaming market, and Aspers, a traditional bricks-and-mortar gaming firm.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources say that Hilary Stewart-Jones is "probably the best-known gambling regulatory lawyer" in the UK. She advised Sportingbet on the regulatory matters that affected the disposal of its Turkish online gaming business in a deal worth more than EUR125 million. A client said: "She has an unparalleled grasp and understanding of the gaming space and the regulatory matters that affect our business."

Stephen Ketteley is recognised by sources for his knowledge of UK and European gaming regulation. He advised Elavon Financial Services on the regulatory issues surrounding the provision of payment support to gaming companies. A source said: "His advice is first class - I find him practical and quite relaxed, but professional at the same time - he is a phenomenal person if you need to know anything about the UK gambling industry."

This firm's reputation is built on providing UK regulatory and licensing advice to gaming firms. Traditionally, its forte was land-based gaming and casino work, but it is increasingly widening its scope to include online gaming amongst its key strengths. A client source said: "Their knowledge of UK licensing is extensive and also they have a good network in terms of helping us source solicitors in other jurisdictions."   

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources say that John Hagan "is very thorough - he knows his law inside out and he will give everything to a client." He is noted by his peers for his gaming advisory work and his skills as an advocate. 

A source said that Julian Harris "has a vast grasp of the law, is an effective advocate - he commands respect in court - has very substantial international knowledge - and is one of the leading gaming lawyers and licensing lawyers in the country." Sources see him as an industry leader and recognise him for his membership of UK and international gaming organisations.

Elizabeth Southorn is the firm's senior liquor licensing lawyer and handles work in the leisure and entertainment sector, with particular reference to the Licensing Act 2003. Additionally, she is a gambling lawyer with a special focus on land-based gaming work. 

Jeffrey Green Russell has widely acclaimed practices in both liquor licensing and gaming and gambling licensing. Its liquor licensing practice is London-focused and is commissioned by bars, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels and SEVs to deal with new premises licensing, variations, reviews and appeals. Its clients include Piers Adam, owner of clubs such as Mahiki, Whisky Mist and the Rose Club, Alan Yau, Hakkasan, W Hotels, Gaucho, Arts Club, the Royal Albert Hall, Cuckoo and the Ministry of Sound. The firm dealt with the licensing for the new high-end restaurant Okku, which is the first overseas expansion for the luxurious Dubai-based restaurant and bar. The firm's gaming team enjoys international renown for UK and international gaming and licensing work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS A source described Tony Coles as quality and dependable, adding: "He gives things proper consideration and doesn't make a big fuss. If I wanted an opinion I would go to Tony, and if I wanted a second opinion I would go to Tony." He is highly respected amongst the UK gaming fraternity, and additionally his practice has a strong international element. One source said he is "hugely experienced, very knowledgeable, very clued-up and commercially savvy."   

Julian Skeens is head of the firm's licensing and leisure team. A well-known practitioner on the London licensing scene, his peers say: "He knows what he is about and he will prepare to the nth degree." He represented a well-known London restaurant in a review of its licence following objections from local residents, and acted for new premises in the heart of the Westminster cumulative impact zone, and managed to obtain it a licence until 3am.  

New partner Andrew Wong handled the licensing for the new Okku London restaurant. A source said: "He has the most exceptional strategic mind, but is also very commercially minded. He approaches commercial applications as if he were an entrepreneur rather than a lawyer; he is an exceptional talent." 

Gareth Hughes is a barrister who sources say "is very commanding - he does a lot of advocacy himself - and has a great knowledge of the law." He led an appeal against a decision to refuse a late licence for his client, the Tramshed, a new restaurant in Shoreditch. Following successful advocacy at the appeal, the licence was granted and the restaurant has now opened.  

Partner Nicholas Nocton is a well-regarded gaming and gambling specialist, whose practice focuses on representing online and offline betting and gaming clients in the UK and internationally. He has a particular focus on advising clients on UK licensing and regulatory advice, but additionally advises on broader strategic and commercial issues. Sources say he "does a very thorough job in assessing the issues and presenting them to the best advantage of clients."   

This firm acts for gaming and leisure clients throughout London and the UK. It handles a large variety of work, focusing on representing bars, restaurants and clubs, casinos, cinemas and SEVs. Sources say that the "lawyers there are definitely heavyweights," and this is reflected in a client list which includes Grosvenor Casinos, Pret A Manger, London Clubs International, Praesepe, Odeon Cinemas, Secrets, Hard Rock Café, Intertain, Le Pain Quotidien and the City Pub Group. The firm advised lap dancing chain Secrets on the new licensing regime for SEVs, and has carried out new applications for all of its clubs.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Suzanne Davies undertakes liquor and gambling licensing work for clients in a broad range of sectors. She was engaged by London Clubs International to vary the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005 licences of a Westminster venue to enable it to relaunch as the Playboy, London Club. An industry source said: "She is an excellent lawyer - a good advocate with drive and determination."

A source described David Clifton as "the doyen of this field - he is extremely experienced - does a lot of advocacy work himself and he is a very good advocate." He is an experienced gaming licensing practitioner and advised Praesepe in its acquisition of over 100 adult gaming centres, dealing with the structure of the deal and the transfer of the licences under the Gambling Act 2005.  

This gaming practice advises clients in relation to areas including online gaming, the marketing and advertising of gambling products and data rights in the gambling sector. Its clients include Betfair, Betable, Arena Leisure, Ask.com, Sportech, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), European Sponsorship Association and PA Sport. The firm has advised horse racing fixture company Arena Leisure on issues including the sale of media rights, and the development of a 'racino' at Wolverhampton racecourse. Clients value the firm's advice, including one source who said that the firm's lawyers have "blessed or haven't blessed various madcap ideas we have come up with."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Warren Phelops is a key contact.

Mishcon de Reya's gambling practice represents online and offline gaming firms from start-ups to established players in the market. Non-confidential clients that the firm represents include PKR and Titano, but it also acts for a number of other well-known gaming brands. A source said: "They understood what I was trying to achieve and understood the issues about gambling licences. They provided me with a very solid foundation when entering a new and emerging marketplace."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Susan Breen is the head of Mishcon de Reya's gaming and gambling practice. She advised Titano Gaming on a joint venture in Italy to operate video lottery terminals in Italian casino outlets. Client sources say: "She is particularly adept at navigating difficult, complex and sensitive legal issues in the UK, in the USA and now in Europe for us."

This firm advises companies across the spectrum of the gaming world with a particular speciality in online gaming and the UK horse racing industry. Additionally the firm's knowledge of gaming legislation means that it attracts interest from clients outside the sector which have concerns that their activities could fall under the scope of gambling regulations. The firm advises football pools provider Sportech on a range of issues including terms and conditions for its games, international expansion and understanding the regulatory structure of various jurisdictions. Clients of the firm include Sportingbet, the British Horseracing Authority, Global Betting Exchange (Betdaq), Stan James, Racing Enterprises, Gamesys, At The Races, Paddy Power and Sporting Index. Client sources say: "Their knowledge of both our sector and business is second to none. Their availability to us as a client and the advice they provide is very good."   

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources say David Zeffman "is very well known in the gambling industry - he has a great reputation and gives down-to-earth straightforward advice that is very on point." He is very highly regarded in horse racing circles and was instructed by Racing Enterprises in relation to the sale of the Tote. Sources say: "He is one of the brightest ones of all as far as the intelligence quotient goes."

This new boutique liquor licensing firm was established by the eponymous partners, who left Davenport Lyons to set up the firm in 2011. The firm has quickly established itself as a leader in the London market and carries out a comprehensive licensing service for bars, restaurants, nightclubs, private members clubs, catering companies, SEVs, universities and fast food outlets. Major projects that the firm's lawyers have dealt with in its brief life include successfully defending gay clubs Fire and Area in a joint licence review brought by Lambeth Council, and licensing over 50 restaurants in the new Westfield Mall in Stratford. The firm's clients include 5 Hertford Street, El Cantara, Palm Restaurant, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, the Royal Ballet School, Broadway Bar & Grill, Hoxton Pony, the Windmill and Stringfellows. One pleased client said: "They are really friendly and approachable - they don't talk gobbledygook - they give clear and precise answers and implement a considered strategy that suits our business needs."

KEY INDIVIDUALS One source said that Alun Thomas "is an excellent lawyer - he knows licensing law backwards and in my view he knows the London market better than anyone else." He defended a licence review on behalf of the Royal Parks that threatened to place onerous conditions on its licence for holding concerts in Hyde Park. The conditions agreed with the council were significantly less stringent than had originally been feared and were only slated to begin in 2013, thus safeguarding a summer of music and events at the venue.

Thomas O'Maoileoin is a former barrister recognised by his peers for his skills as a lawyer and as an advocate. A source said that he is "very personable and efficient and he gets things done."

Wiggin's approach to the sector is informed by its main incarnation as a media firm. Consequently, it regularly advises electronic gambling operators and TV and media firms on gaming issues. The firm liaised with ARJEL, the French gambling regulator, in the process of advising PokerStars on a trust arrangement to protect the deposits of its French customers. Its clients include Barcrest, Gtech G2, Cozy Games, IGT, FremantleMedia, Mansion 9, Netplay, Plus-Five/Aliquantum and ITV.

KEY INDIVIDUALS One source said that Jason Chess "is very commendable, a really great, pragmatic lawyer and a pleasure to work with for whoever is negotiating against him." He undertakes work for game licensors and business-to-business technology outsourcers and regularly advises clients on regulatory issues in the gaming sector.