Need legal advice now from a licensing review solicitor?
Call, email or provide us with a few details of your licensing review, and we’ll help you arrange an initial consultation. You’ll get:
- Unlimited time to discuss your licensing review matter with an experienced licensing solicitor
- An outline of your legal position in your licensing review matter
- A clear fee-quote and time frame to resolve your case
Legal support on licensing reviews
Clarity on your legal position in your case
Clear and efficient case management
Appeals in the Magistrates’ Court
Commonly asked questions on licensing.
The law surrounding licensing reviews isn’t something most people come across on a daily basis, which is why our licensing review solicitors in Brighton have answered some of the most commonly asked questions on the topic.
1. What is licensing review?
A license is an official permission or permits to do, use, or own something. In the case of a license being issued by the government, the license is only obtained by making a formal application.
However, if you have a license, it may come under review. For example, a businesses license may come under review if there are problems with the premises, and someone decides to report the business on one of the following grounds to be reviewed.
- Prevention of crime and disorder
- Avoidance of public nuisance
- Prevention of children from harm
- Public safety
When a claim about a business is made, the person will request a licensing review from one of the following:
- The licensing authority (local council)
- The licence holder
- The ‘responsible authorities’ (details will be available from the licensing authorities)
2. What are the two types of licensing reviews?
Regular reviews
A regular review can be commenced by any of the responsible authorities, your neighbours or a local councillor. If someone believes your premises are undermining the licensing objectives they can make an application to the Licensing Authority asking for them to Review your licence.
Expedited reviews
Expedited reviews are more serious than regular licensing Reviews. Instigated by the police, they can only come about if your premises are associated with serious crime or disorder such as a stabbing, glassing or drug dealing.
When a licensing committee receives an expedited review they must decide within 48 hours if any interim measures such as suspending the premises licence are required.
Your licence will then be listed for a full Review within 28 days, during these 28 days other parties can join the Police calling for a review of your licence. At that hearing, the licensing committee will decide whether to let you carry on as you are or revoke your licence based on the evidence against you.
3. What businesses need a license?
In the UK, there are many businesses, which require a licence to operate legally. In most cases, you won’t be able to obtain business insurance without holding a valid legal license for your company.
Some of the most common businesses that require a license include:
- Pubs and restaurants
- Gambling services
- Child care services
- Credit and financial services
- Law firms
- Taxi drivers
- Ear piercing services
- Sports coaches
- Pet shops
4. What happens if a licensing review is triggered?
A licensing review is broken down into three main steps: consultation, committee and outcome.
1. Consultation – The consultation period lasts 28 days and starts when the responsible authorities raise a complaint about your licence (usually the police or local authorities). During this time, other parties affected may choose to join the complaint against you.
2. Committee – The licensing authority will then assemble a committee to consider the case against you, and everyone with concerns will be invited. During this committee meeting, the committee will look at the evidence put forward by both sides.
3. Outcome – A licensing review’s outcome is to modify or restrict your premises licence, revoke it entirely, or continue unchanged if you are successful in your defence.
If you are unsuccessful, the decision can be appealed in the Magistrates’ Court.
5. How much does a licensing review case cost?
When it comes to legal costs, no two licensing review cases are the same. The cost of a licensing review case depends on factors such as the type of business which is being reviewed, the reasoning for the review etc.
To get a more accurate estimate of the legal costs, you will first need to arrange an initial consultation.
During your initial consultation, our solicitors will go through the details of your licensing review, provide an outline of your matter from a legal perspective, advise you on your options, and give you a fee estimate and timelines for your case.
The initial consultation is £90 + VAT (£108), and the hourly legal fees for instructing one of our solicitors is at least £300 + VAT per hour.
6. Why use a licensing review solicitor?
The law around a businesses licence is highly problematic. Additionally, the potential consequences of not handling a licensing review properly can put the future of your business into question.
Instructing a licensing review solicitor early on in proceedings, you will ensure that you are fully prepared and have an excellent defence to prevent the situation escalating.
7. Do you offer legal aid for licensing review matters?
We are currently unable to offer legal aid in any capacity as we lack the necessary legal aid certificate. We also don’t offer pro bono property law work at present.
Need legal advice now from a licensing review solicitor in Brighton?
Tell us about your case and we’ll get back to you the same day.
Meet your licensing review team.
Paul Britton
Head of Litigation
Joseph Navas
Licensing Review Solicitor
Sophie Campbell-Adams
Licensing Review Solicitor
Rory Lindsay
Trainee Licensing
Review Solicitor
Paul Britton
Head of Litigation
Joseph Navas
Licensing Review Solicitor
Sophie Campbell-Adams
Licensing Review Solicitor
Rory Lindsay
Training Licensing
Review Solicitor
Why Britton and Time Solicitors?
Licensing law is our speciality. Our solicitors have worked on various licensing review cases, which have given our solicitors an abundance of knowledge and experience in this area of law. When it comes to your specific licensing review case, we’ll always guarantee:
Award-Winning Service.
You are our priority, and the law is our speciality. Our award-winning licensing review solicitors in Brighton ensure you know exactly where you stand from a legal perspective so you can make a well-informed decision.
Full Billing Transparency.
No fee surprises. Ever. Our licensing review solicitors will inform you from the outset on how much your case will cost, and we will do everything in our power to keep costs down and within your original fee estimate.
Regular Communication.
With fortnightly updates on your case, you’ll never be left in the dark. Our licensing review solicitors in Brighton ensure you know exactly how your case is progressing and are with you every step of the way.
Our reviews.
It’s not about how good we think our services are; it’s about what you think.
Will to Win
There are three things that make Britton & Time, and in particular Paul, stand apart from other law firms: knowledge, communication and a will to win.
Rated excellent by over 95% of our clients.
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Need legal advice now from a licensing review solicitor?
Call, email or provide us with a few details of your licensing review matter, and we’ll be able to help you the same day.