Chambers recommends:
LICENSING - Rank 1

DAVENPORT LYONS

The Firm: This “truly stellar” outfit is best known for its enviable track record in front of Westminster Council and its strong core trio of dedicated licensing practitioners. The intensely busy practice is lauded for “always offering the right advice” and for its “commercial and proactive” perspective on “the whole shooting match of licensing.” The team has acted in disputes over conditions and licensed hours of business as well as threats of enforcement actions and licence reviews from the police and residents’ associations. The group is currently acting for the landlords of the well-known nightspot Cirque at London Hippodrome on parallel contested liquor licence and casino applications, and scored a notable victory when it obtained a 4am licence for Stringfellows Soho, despite Westminster Council’s stated policy aim of preventing any local venue from selling alcohol after 3am. Further illustrating the group’s skill in unusual cases, the lawyers successfully obtained licences for all of London’s Royal Parks and negotiated an increase in capacity for Soho Revue Bar. Davenport Lyons also fields considerable back-up in related practice areas, including property and IP.

The Lawyers: “Affable, personable and extremely easy to deal with,” partner and licensing head Alun Thomas is considered “a vital presence” in complicated cases, making him a “real standout lawyer in the London market.” Noted for his “excellent relationships” with licensing officers, he acts for a diverse mix of clients including restaurants, bars, clubs and casinos, and continues to sit on the Department for Media, Culture and Sport’s licensing advisory panel. Consultant Peter Glazebrook wins plaudits for his “hard-working attitude” and “outstanding advocacy skills.” His wide-ranging practice sees him act for several universities as well as for Sophisticats and The Cuckoo Club. “Calm, capable and a lawyer who understands contemporary business needs,” Thomas O’Maoileoin deals with all manner of licensing concerns from his position as a solicitor-advocate. Commentators speak highly of his “ability to always point us in the right direction.”

Clients/Work Highlights: The team’s phenomenal grasp of the intricacies of the Licensing Act 2003 is underlined by its advice for developers Soho Estates and Shaftesbury, who together own a large swathe of properties in the West End. In addition to its many smaller clients, the group also acts for restaurant outfits ASK and Zizzi and was instructed by Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Foundation regarding a new chain of restaurants set to open recently. The group also acted for Isle of Capri Casinos in obtaining certificates of consent and a gaming licence for a new casino in the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, highlighting the team’s burgeoning strengths and understanding of gambling law. The group’s extensive client roster includes London Clubs International; Balans; Canary Wharf; Ascot Racecourse; Gatwick Airport; the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; the Chelsea Arts Club; The Garrick Club and numerous government offices, law firms and accountancy companies.

Best of the UK Lawyers
Alun Thomas
Peter Glazebrook
Thomas O’Maoileoin