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. 

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, 2023 comments that FTB is the "Top set for licensing", "FTB is clearly the leading licensing set. It has unrivalled depth in the licensing and regulatory field and they have been a joy to work with." and "FTB is the strongest of the chambers in terms of strength in depth for work on licensing." 

Chambers and Partners 2022 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), The 'Clubs' The Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents, the Journal of Licensing.

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)
  • 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.

26
Jan' 23
Cody Fisher Stab Death Nightclub Loses Licence

A nightclub where a footballer was stabbed to death on the dance floor has lost its licence amid fears it posed "terrifying" risks to public safety. Cody Fisher was killed at the Crane venue in Digbeth, Birmingham, on Boxing Day 2022. 

Read more
25
Jan' 23
O2 Academy Brixton Licence Suspended

On Thursday 15 December 2022, The Brixton 02 Academy hosted a concert by the musical artist known as “Asake”. The ticketed event was sold out in advance. Shortly after 9pm, a large crowd breached the entrance doors and poured into the venue. Many people were crushed. Some were seriously injured: two of them fatally. 

Read more

"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."

Legal 500, 2022

"The clerks are absolutely superb and very quick to get back to you." "The clerks are very efficient."

Chambers and Partners, 2022

"The service provided by the Chambers and the clerk’s room is exemplary. All staff are knowledgeable, professional, and friendly."

Legal 500 2020
26
Jan' 23
Cody Fisher Stab Death Nightclub Loses Licence

A nightclub where a footballer was stabbed to death on the dance floor has lost its licence amid fears it posed "terrifying" risks to public safety. Cody Fisher was killed at the Crane venue in Digbeth, Birmingham, on Boxing Day 2022. 

Read more
25
Jan' 23
O2 Academy Brixton Licence Suspended

On Thursday 15 December 2022, The Brixton 02 Academy hosted a concert by the musical artist known as “Asake”. The ticketed event was sold out in advance. Shortly after 9pm, a large crowd breached the entrance doors and poured into the venue. Many people were crushed. Some were seriously injured: two of them fatally. 

Read more

King's Counsel

David Matthias KC

Call: 1980 | Silk: 2006

Gerald Gouriet KC

Call: 1974 | Silk: 2006

Jeremy Phillips KC

Call: 2004 | Silk: 2018

Junior Counsel

James Rankin

Call: 1983

Gary Grant

Call: 1994

Leo Charalambides

Call: 1998

John Jolliffe

Call: 2005

Mark Westmoreland Smith

Call: 2006

Annabel Graham Paul

Call: 2008

David Graham

Call: 2010

George Mackenzie

Call: 2011

Alexander Greaves

Call: 2012

Charles Streeten

Call: 2013

Horatio Waller

Call: 2014

Charles Merrett

Call: 2016

Brendan Brett

Call: 2017

Michael Rhimes

Call: 2019

Flora Curtis

Call: 2019

Michael Feeney

Call: 2021

Associate Members

Charles Holland

Call: 1994 | Silk: