Holmes & Hills’ licensing solicitors advise and represent individuals, businesses and private clubs in and around Essex on all licensing matters. Based in Braintree and Halstead, our licensing specialists offer expert legal support across the South East including covering Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich and Cambridge.

Expert legal advice and representation on all your licensing matters:

Our licensing solicitors have a wealth of experience successfully applying for licences, varying licenses and resolving all issues and disputes relating to licensing. Their cost-effective legal advice, support and representation will save you money, time and stress. They can increase the chances of your licensing matter being concluded successfully.  

Our licensing department offers legal advice on all areas of licensing, including:

•           Premises licenses
•           Personal licenses
•           Club premises certificates
•           Temporary event notices
•           Licenses for playing music in a public area
•           Planning
•           Transferring an existing licence
•           Sale and purchase of licensed premises
•           Resolving objections to a licence renewal
•           Resolving enforcement procedures against a licensee

Specialists from across our departments, working together, for you:

Our licensing team work with our commercial property and employment specialists to offer you and your business a comprehensive legal service.

For instance, not only can Holmes & Hills offer advice and support on your licensing matters, but also your lease negotiations, commercial concerns - such as contracts and agreements - and any problems with staff.

The Licensing Act 2003 and how it affects you:

 The Act provides a single system of licensing premises that wish to sell alcohol, provide entertainment and or provide late night refreshment (between 11pm and 5am). The main provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 are:

- Transferring control of premises licensed to sell alcohol from the Magistrate’s Courts to Local Authorities.

- A single premises licence authorising all forms of licensable activities replacing the old system which required several different licences.

- An integrated system requiring both a personal licence and a premises licence in order to sell alcohol.

- Flexible hours allowing premises to potentially open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

- New national licensing regulations.

The Act outlines 4 different licenses:

A Premises Licence – this allows premises to be used for one or more of the licensable activities included within the act.

A Personal Licence – This allows an individual to sell or authorise the sale of alcohol.

A Club Premises Certificate – This allows registered clubs to use club premises to be used for licensable activities such as the sale of alcohol and providing entertainment.

A Temporary Event Notice – This allows an individual to use premises for one or more licensable activities for not more than 96 hours.