Licensing

Sarah Le Fevre is a standout advocate who continues to impress with her methodical and strategic approach. She is regularly involved in high-profile cases involving premises licences, chiefly representing operators, but is also able to assist the Metropolitan Police Service. She has also been active in highly complex SEV licensing matters, and has provided licensing advice relating to restaurants, hotels and casinos.

"Sarah is an outstanding communicator and advocate – clear, persuasive and strategically savvy, whilst always being a pleasure to work with."

"Sarah is excellent, so nice to deal with, and such a great, dignified advocate in front of courts and committees. She is always approachable, thorough and prepared."

"Sarah's knowledge and advocacy skills are superb. She is extremely commercial."

Stephen Walsh KC is a very highly thought-of standout KC and a silk of choice on licensing matters for prominent events spaces, casinos, late-night venues and restaurants. He is also adept at dealing with licence reviews, variations and new applications. He receives special praise for his practical approach to matters, his excellent client manner and his all-round regulatory knowledge.

"Stephen is great on his feet, great with clients, super-responsive, and an all-around great bloke. There's not much in licensing law that he hasn't done."

"He is our go-to person for difficult licensing issues. He is charming, responsive, client- and magistrate-friendly, and a skilled advocate with enormous expertise in the most difficult matters."

"Stephen consistently goes to great lengths to understand clients and develop a personal connection to enhance depth of understanding."

Guy Ladenburg Guy Ladenburg boasts a broad practice and acts for the police, as well as restaurants. He is experienced in representing nightclubs in licence review cases.

"Guy has significant depth of knowledge in the licensing field."

"Guy is an absolutely lovely man and a wonderful opponent. He is very bright, a measured advocate with good judgement."

Matthew Butt KC advises various players in the market, such as restaurants, bars and casino operators. He has an established practice handling premises licence hearings and reviews.

"Matthew really is a standout. He is incredibly hard-working, super-bright, very easy to get on with, helpful and great value."

"He is fiercely intelligent and effortlessly balances legal expertise with a sharp commercial acumen. He is the barrister I turn to on my most challenging cases."

"Matthew is one of the best in the business. He is commercial, tenacious, and has superb advocacy skills."

Michael Bromley-Martin KC acts for a host of licensees, especially those connected with the late-night entertainment industries, in various proceedings. He brings his criminal law advocacy skills to bear in contentious matters, representing clients in appeals and licensing issues.

"Michael is a strong advocate who brings criminal advocacy skills to licences."

"Thanks to his criminal law background, Michael is very good for highly contentious cases with police and criminal allegations against clients and premises."

"Michael is a genuinely exceptional advocate who can get to the point of the case very quickly. He understands the necessary tone of licensing, which is refreshing and welcome, and he has gravitas."

Saba Naqshbandi is an accomplished advocate who frequently advises well-known operators and is called on to act on challenging licensing applications and variations. Widely praised for her work on enforcement cases, she boasts a strong track record of representing iconic venues in highly contentious matters.

"Saba is very good, commercial, well prepared and good with clients."

"Saba is one of the most thorough barristers with the most attention to detail. She leaves no stone unturned. She will think of every potential scenario and ensure clients are prepared for anything."