Regulatory Solutions, Licensing (alcohol & entertainment), Motoring offences

Head of Regulatory Solutions, Partner

Philip is Head of the firm’s Regulatory Solutions Department. He has over 20 years’ experience in alcohol and entertainment licensing and criminal litigation, where he concentrates on motoring and licensing.

Philip specialises in alcohol and entertainment licensing, betting and gaming, criminal and regulatory law. He has appeared in over 100 contested licensing hearings before licensing committees and in the magistrates courts for clients ranging from multi-site restaurants, convenience stores, stately homes hosting music festivals, and breweries.

Philip’s criminal practice has seen him successfully defend businesses, obtaining acquittals for licence holders in criminal proceedings for various regulatory offences. He is a well-known and highly regarded road traffic lawyer. He has secured acquittals for clients in speeding and drink driving cases and has appeared on BBC Watchdog and Radio 5 Live. He also has a niche practice relating to DVLA driving licence medical appeals and has acted for many drivers who have had their driving licences revoked.

Highlight Matters- Obtaining new premises licences in cumulative impact zones- Acting for a national restaurant chain in licensing matters- Advising a supermarket/convenience store chain on due diligence and training- Advising a national opera on licensing law- Obtaining a shadow premises licence in Westminster City Council.- Securing acquittals for countless motorists facing drink driving related charges- Acting for numerous individuals who have had their driving licences revoked by DVLA due to visual field defects or other medical conditions- Acting for a shopkeeper who faced 23 charges under the Licensing Act 2003. The shopkeeper was acquitted of all charges- Defending a pharmacist who was accused of dishonesty by the GPhC. The allegations were subsequently not proceeded with following Philip’s intervention.

English

Qualified in 1996.