Licensing

FTB is recognised by both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 as one of the country’s leading Chambers of specialist licensing barristers.

The Legal 500, 2024 comments that FTB is "a very professional set" with "unparalleled breadth of expertise across licensing law" and ‘great depth and breadth of knowledge and experience."

Chambers and Partners 2023 notes that FTB "has an impressive roster of both silks and juniors, equipped to handle instructions from clients including licensing authorities, the police, taxi and private hire vehicle operators and the operators of licensed premises."

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 leading commercial operators, small businesses and individual entrepreneurs.

The experience of our team is second to none. We act for, or against, nightclubs, bars, pubs, restaurants, casinos (terrestrial and online), betting shops, lap-dancing venues, taxi and private hire operators, sporting and music arena, major music festivals, museums and galleries, live music venues, cinemas and theatres and other premsises.

Members of Chambers have appeared in most of the leading licensing cases at first instance and in the appeal courts. 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.

Members also advise in relation to the emerging market in lawful cannabis, hemp and CBD products.

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), "Clubs" - The Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents and the Journal of Licensing.

We also act in related criminal an 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)
Cannabis licensing and regulation
Firearms, shotguns and explosives
Street trading, pedlars and busking
Special treatments
Zoos, dangerous wild animals, pet animal licensing and animal welfare
Closure Orders
Noise abatement/statutory nuisance proceedings

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. Further information including indicative fees can be found here.

28

Aug' 24

Concept Club’s Licence Revoked

A Mayfair private members’ club’s licence has been revoked following a review triggered by a large fight at the venue last month.

15

Jul' 24

Court of Appeal Allows Appeal in Uber Britannia Limited v Sefton Borough Council

The Court of Appeal has given judgment in the case of Uber Britannia Limited v Sefton Borough Council [2024] EWCA Civ 802, allowing the appeal against the judgment of Foster J in the High Court.

"Without doubt the leading set for licensing and planning matters for the hospitality sector." "The number of licensing experts set them apart."

Legal 500, 2025

"They are normally our first choice for a matters pertaining to licensing and advocacy as they have a wide range of expert legal minds who can be relied upon to provide expert advice with effective insight."

Legal 500, 2025

"A very professional set" with "unparalleled breadth of expertise across licensing law" and ‘great depth and breadth of knowledge and experience."

Legal 500, 2024

"I always receive a first-class service from all the clerks at Francis Taylor Building."

Chambers and Partners, 2023

"FTB is clearly the leading licensing set with some of the most famous names in the Industry. It has unrivaled depth in the licensing and regulatory field and they have been a joy to work with."

Legal 500, 2022

"[FTB] has an impressive roster of both silks and juniors, equipped to handle instructions from clients including licensing authorities, the police, taxi and private hire vehicle operators and the operators of licensed premises.

Chambers and Partners, 2022

"FTB has possibly the greatest depth of licensing experience in England. Chambers are able to offer expert licensing advice from the lowest level of junior (in terms of call date) to QC."