Sue Dowling is head of the Employment Law team at Blandy & Blandy and also a nationally recognised expert in Venue Licensing.An advocate by training, Sue deals primarily with complex employment litigation involving unlawful discrimination, with particular emphasis on mental impairment disability discrimination matters. Sue provides strategic employment law/HR advice to CEOs, MD's, finance directors and HR directors, assisting them in their business decisions and with a view to minimising the risk of employment litigation. She frequently assists company clients in handling the restructuring of management tiers/teams and, where necessary, the departure of high-level executives – adopting a business, no-nonsense, pragmatic approach. She is an expert in the tax aspects of exiting arrangements (through Settlement Agreements or otherwise). She also advises clients regarding business immigration matters, including Intra-Company Tier 2 transfers and ‘Business Visitors’ criteria. Sue is a regular advocate (in Tribunals and before Committees).Also a nationally recognised expert in venue licensing, Sue advises major sports, entertainment and leisure venues in relation to alcohol and regulated entertainment licensing. She also provides advice in relation to General Safety and Special Safety Certification of Sports Grounds; Gambling (including Track Betting Licences); PPL; PRS and Wedding Licences.
England - South East • Crime, fraud and licensing
Blandy & Blandy LLP
Acting in particular for major sporting and entertainment stadiums and arenas, Blandy & Blandy LLP‘s venue licensing team in the Thames Valley is praised by clients for its ’unrivalled knowledge‘. The ’excellent’ Sue Dowling heads up the department with more than 30 years’ experience in the market, and is regularly instructed by high-profile clients such as the O2 and the Rugby Football Union. She is highly regarded for her expertise in alcohol and regulated entertainment licensing, but is also well versed in general safety and special safety certification on sports grounds.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Blandy & Blandy demonstrates up to date legal and industry knowledge, that is extremely helpful.’
- ‘Sue Dowling is an excellent lawyer and an expert in the area of premises licences. She has strong relationships across councils, and a great understanding of the mindset and the requirements to secure a successful outcome.’
- ‘The team’s strength is that they all work closely together, and are not afraid to ask a colleague for an option to speed all the processes up.’
- ‘They have unrivalled knowledge of all aspects and problems that might arise, which cease to become a problem because they have experienced pretty much every situation.’
- ‘Sue Dowling has been a brilliant support on recent licencing applications. We have valued her knowledge of the stadium and the licencing process, the documentation requirements, stakeholder liaison, time frames etc. and we have been extremely pleased with the representation provided.’
Key clients
- AEG Europe /The O2
- The FA Group / Wembley National Stadium Ltd
- Rugby Football Union (RFU)
- AEG Presents Ltd
- Premier Winter Wonderland Events Limited
- Marylebone Cricket Club
- Henley Royal Regatta
- Reading University Students’ Union
- Eastlands Arena Ltd
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Sue Dowling