Licensing
The licensing team enjoys a national reputation for licensing and related criminal matters. Alcohol and entertainment, gambling, taxis and firearms as well as less common areas such as zoos, pleasure boats and pharmacies are covered. Clients include local authorities, police forces, independent operators, public corporations and others throughout England and Wales.
The team responds quickly and effectively to requests for advice, assistance and advocacy on matters such as new applications, variations, reviews, revocations and appeals. Members appear before local authority licensing committees, magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court up and down the country.
There is also wide-ranging experience in related criminal matters, for example, several recent cases involving criminal liability for underage sales of alcohol.
Extensive expertise exists in applications to the High Court by way of judicial review and case stated, in both licensing and criminal matters, in the Administrative Court.
Recommendations
Chambers UK 2012
Licensing: Roy Light is a well-known expert on licensing law who is praised by sources for the energy and enthusiasm he brings to his work. Noted as “a good academic lawyer, who is always worth instructing,” he is “very good at dealing with difficult clients.” Light regularly acts in enforcement cases, and handles licensing applications for public authorities and independent operators. Recently, he achieved successful results on behalf of a number of hotel owners, a national restaurant chain and a major sporting venue. One impressed solicitor notes: “We use him when the consequences of otherwise failing would be catastrophic for the client.”
Chambers UK 2011
Licensing: Roy Light has nearly 20 years’ experience in all areas of licensing. He represents a variety of clients, including supermarket chains, petrol companies, breweries, nightclub operators, gaming machine manufacturers, national stadiums and local and police authorities. He recently appeared at the High Court in Hall & Woodhouse Brewery v Poole BC, a landmark case on the liability of breweries for breach of licence conditions at tenanted public houses. Light is described as “a skilled cross-examiner with an encyclopaedic knowledge of licensing law, who provides clear, sound advice.”
Legal 500 2011
Professor Roy Light is an “excellent licensing advocate”, whose “well-honed communication skills warrant particular mention”.
Legal 500 2010
Professor Roy Light is recommended for licensing and judicial review.
