Licensing and gambling

Advising and dealing with licensing and gambling cases, predominantly for police forces and local authorities.

The Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005 are landmark statutes with extensive implications for local authorities and police forces. Compliance with these and other legal requirements and regulations involves major responsibilities, and the need for expert legal guidance is greater than ever. 

The Gambling Act in particular is likely to create many difficult issues as local authorities become responsible for licensing other forms of gambling, such as betting offices, and strive to balance ethical judgements, strongly held principles and local feelings with the requirements of the Act.

Weightmans has extensive expertise and a very successful track record in these key areas. We regularly advise our local and police authority clients on liquor and public entertainment licensing, and have produced a handler’s guide to the Licensing Act.

We can advise and assist you as a local authority across the whole range of your licensing functions, from acupuncture to zoos, including street trading, hackney carriages and other licensing functions. Our experience includes magistrates court representation and advising on statements of licensing policy, enforcement and appeals. We also arrange representation at hearings, including advising committees.

As part of our service in helping you manage the issues and prevent problems, we organise seminars and training on the effects of the latest legislation. We also lecture at Anglia Ruskin University on tackling alcohol-fuelled disorder, test purchasing, fixed penalty notices, and designated public places orders.

Weightmans has its own Regulatory Services team. This is made up of specialist regulatory, criminal and environmental lawyers, who are well versed in handling and advising on sensitive issues. Members of the team have wide experience of criminal litigation for local authorities, including trading standards, health and safety and environmental matters.