The implementation of both the Gambling Act 2005 and the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 has been a challenge for businesses of all sizes. We have worked with hundreds of clients throughout transition and guided them through the new legal environment. Thousands of applications have been submitted, with follow up appearances at the licensing boards all over Scotland.
Our licensing law team is highly respected in the world of licensing and we work closely with clerks to the licensing boards, other firms of solicitors and Council support teams to ensure that our client’s aims are achieved. We are recognised for testing legal boundaries, exploring different routes and being innovative. We live and breathe gambling and licensing law in Scotland. We are interested in proposed legislation and economic activity which impacts on the Hospitality and Leisure industry and we want to keep you ahead of the game. How do we do that? By communicating with our clients and by making sure we are abreast of the latest changes.
Our licensing team are top tier ranked in The Legal 500 2011 and our team includes several of the leading Scottish licensing advisors including Consultants John Loudon and John Batters, and Caroline Loudon and Stephen McGowan who have both carved their own considerable reputations in this field in recent years.
Our consultant John Loudon is convener of the Licensing Sub-Committee for the Law Society of Scotland and our Senior Associate Caroline Brown also sits on the Committee. John is a Fellow and legal advisor of the British Hospitality Association and he also advises the Scottish Beer and Pub Association. Both Caroline, John and Stephen are regularly quoted in the trade and legal press. In practical terms, we are right in the middle of things- whether that is giving evidence to the Justice Committee at the Scottish Parliament, attending cross party meetings or simply going to a client business for dinner.
Our client list is enviable. We work with clients who are retail chains, hotels, casinos, bingo, clubs, restaurants. They can be small family businesses to large multi-national chains. We aim to excel and the service level you can expect from us is second to none. We can take you from the very start of an idea right through to the opening night.
Our specialist advice covers areas such as:
Gambling
- split premises licensing
- new premises licensing
- betting offices
- bingo
- casinos
- adult gaming centres
- family entertainment centres
- 24-hour operating
- Specific gaming permits
Alcohol licensing
- Advice on new projects
- new grants of premises licence
- variations of existing premises licences
- transfers of premises licence
- personal licensing
- contractual wording
Civic licensing
- late hours catering licences
- table and chairs permissions
- public entertainment licensing
- taxis licensing
Wedding licensing
Approved places for civil marriage
Ancillary advice
The work of Lindsays’ licensing team is complemented by that of other teams. As a full-service firm, we handle many other issues for our licensing clients, such as property, franchising, and employment issues. This wider expertise, combined with our licensing expertise, means we have long-standing relations with many clients in this area.
Latest service news & features
Lindsays shortlisted in the Scottish Legal Awards 2012
16 January 2012
Lindsays is delighted to announced that it has been shortlisted in five of this year’s Scottish Legal Awards categories.
New tax could kill off pub quiz machines
23 December 2011
A new tax on gaming machines, called “Machine Games Duty”, due to be introduced in the April 2012 budget, will for the first time apply to pub quiz machines meaning the machines may be less attractive for publicans.
Metal Dealer Licensing
2 December 2011
The increasing incidents of metal theft across Scotland have been in and out of the news recently. The Scottish Government has been sufficiently energised by all of this to consider amendments to metal dealer licensing legislation. Stephen McGowan discusses the new proposals.
Should we make it the minimum?
30 November 2011
Stephen McGowan, Director in the Licensing and Gambling team discusses the minimum pricing debate.
Linda Robinson, Belhaven“We have always found the team at Lindsays to be entirely approachable, friendly and helpful ... we very much depend upon their expertise and tenacity to steer us along the right paths with regards to licensing legislation”
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Chambers UK 2012 A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession“This firm, praised by sources for its remarkable professionalism and expertise in gaming, acts for bookmakers, hotel groups, sporting clubs, breweries, supermarkets, universities and individual licensees, advising on liquor, gaming and adult entertainment-related matters.”
Chambers UK 2011 A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession“They are good relationship builders all round: they're personable, proactive and always do things within the timescales.”
Legal 500 The Clients' Guide to the UK Legal Profession 2010“Lindsays is praised for its ‘very good level of service, combined with up-to-date industry knowledge’. John Loudon, a consultant at the firm, has an outstanding reputation as a leading adviser to the Scottish hospitality and leisure industry. Senior associate Caroline Brown is also recommended; head of the liquor, licensing and gambling group, she ‘is proactive and enthusiastic, and would seem to be shaping the team for the future’.”
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