England & Wales

05 Feb 2016

Essence Bars (London) Ltd (or was it?!) -v- Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames - an Appeal Court decision

On Tuesday (3/2/16) the Court of Appeal published their judgment following a hearing and submission in December. The case concerned an Appeal against a decision of  Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (‘the Licensing Authority’...

03 Feb 2016

Wales - Vaping indoors concerns

At a recent meeting of the Welsh Assembly's Health and Social Care Committee, the difference in impact and harm of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes was discussed. The Health Minister (Mark Drakeford) argued that ‘vaping’ was dif...

02 Feb 2016

Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety and Hygiene Offences - Definitive Sentencing Guideline updated

New revised guidelines from the Sentencing Council came into force on 1 February 2016 with the result that likely penalties are likely to be significantly more punitive of employers and more expensive, as a business's turnover will be taken into a...

01 Feb 2016

Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th Birthday – Licensing Tips

2016 sees the Queen achieve her 90th Birthday, which will be a significant national event and provide an opportunity for the country to party.  We have already received our first enquiry regarding TENs for a large outdoor event  over the...

26 Jan 2016

Camden Approve Late Night Levy

Last night the London Borough of Camden (by a vote of the full Council) approved the adoption of the Late Night Levy. The Levy will apply Borough wide to all premises operating after 12 midnight and with very limited exemptions. (30% reduction for...

25 Jan 2016

Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO) – Hartlepool again?

In 2013 Hartlepool Council were the first council to consider the imposition of an EMRO.  We appeared at the hearing where it was resolved that the matter was not to be pursued. The only other attempt at an EMRO was in Blackpool and was also...