FTB is recognised by the both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 as the country’s leading Chambers of specialist licensing barristers.
Chambers and Partners 2017 notes that FTB 'Maintains its status as the set of choice for licensing law. With a raft of stellar juniors and silks, it is able to handle all levels of licensing work. Its practice is impressively broad, with practitioners acting for both local authorities and licensees in cases involving sexual entertainment venues, nightclubs and restaurants, among other matters. The set attracts an abundance of praise for its bench strength.'
'The clerking team, headed by Paul Coveney, is described as "exceptionally professional" and "superb at every level." '
The Legal 500 2017 comments that FTB is ‘invariably the first-choice licensing set’ with ‘the widest range of licensing barristers for every type and level of case’.
Our barristers advise and advocate on behalf of the private and public sectors, local authorities, residents and the police alike. Our private clients include many of the country’s largest commercial operators, small businesses and individual entrepreneurs.
The experience of our team is second to none. We act for, or against, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, casinos, betting shops, lap-dancing venues, sporting and music arenas and major festivals, among others.
Members of Chambers have appeared in most of the leading licensing cases. We accept instructions to deal with cases at all levels from licensing sub-committee hearings through to the Supreme Court.
Our team is vastly experienced in making and opposing licensing applications before local authorities, appearing in heavily contested reviews of premises licences and closure orders, as well as before magistrates’ courts on appeal. Members also regularly appear in judicial review applications before the High Court and appeals to the court of Appeal..
We are at the forefront of licensing policy, law and practice. Members advise central and local government and other public and commercial bodies on issues of national, regional and local importance ranging from Statements of Licensing Policy to new or proposed Parliamentary legislation.
Our barristers edit and/or contribute to the leading practitioners’ books and journals in the field of licensing. These include: Paterson’s Licensing Acts, The Law of Gambling (Smith & Monkcom), The 'Clubs' The Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents, the Journal of Licensing and the Licensing Review.
We also act in related criminal and civil enforcement proceedings taken against licensees and their employees.
Our areas of licensing expertise include:
- Alcohol and entertainment
- Late night refreshment
- Gambling, casinos, betting shops and lotteries (terrestrial and online)
- Taxis and private hire vehicles
- Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs)
- Firearms and explosives
- Street trading, pedlars and busking
- Special treatments
- Zoos and dangerous wild animals
Members are regularly instructed by the leading firms of licensing solicitors and consultants around the country and are qualified to accept cases directly from members of the public and the trade under the Bar’s Public Access Scheme.
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