FAQs

Complete Licensing UK is an independent licensing and regulatory consultancy, not a law firm. Our business is not authorised or regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

We specialise in alcohol and premises licensing, providing independent advice, guidance and practical support to businesses on licensing applications, regulatory matters, compliance concerns and licensing enforcement issues.

Our experienced consultants draw on extensive and varied professional backgrounds in policing, environmental health, investigations, regulatory compliance and venue operations. This enables us to provide clients with practical, commercially focused licensing advice informed by an understanding of both regulatory requirements and the day-to-day realities of operating licensed premises.

When you instruct Complete Licensing UK, you are engaging an independent licensing consultancy rather than a solicitor or barrister. Our consultants do not act in the capacity of legally qualified practitioners, and our services do not constitute the provision of reserved legal services. Our consultancy services are not subject to SRA regulation, and clients should not expect the same regulatory protections or access to the Legal Ombudsman that apply to clients of regulated solicitors.

Where a matter requires specialist legal advice or representation, we can help to identify an appropriately qualified solicitor or barrister with relevant experience. Any such legal services would be provided under a separate contractual arrangement directly between you and your chosen legal representative. You are, of course, entirely free to select your own solicitor or barrister.

Our aim is to provide accessible, independent and specialist licensing support, whilst recognising when a matter requires the involvement of a legally qualified professional.

Yes. If your licensing matter requires specialist legal advice or formal legal representation, Complete Licensing UK can help you identify a suitably experienced solicitor or barrister with relevant expertise in licensing and regulatory law. It is your decision whether to engage with them or not, and it is important to remember that this would be a separate contractual relationship from your relationship with Complete Licensing.

This is one of the services Complete Licensing offers. We can represent you at licensing application hearings or resisting those made by other parties. However, our representation is limited to the licensing hearing itself. If the matter subsequently proceeds to an appeal before the Magistrates' Court, Complete Licensing UK would not be able to represent you in those proceedings.

In such circumstances, we can help identify a suitable law firm or barristers' chambers with relevant licensing and regulatory law experience. You would then instruct your chosen legal representative under a separate contractual arrangement.

No, an independent licensing consultancy cannot represent you in court. Should your licensing application require an appearance in court, that will fall under the heading of a reserved legal activity and must be undertaken by a solicitor or barrister. Complete Licensing can recommend a law firm if needed and will ensure that the recommendation is suitable for the client’s specific needs. Any contract will be with the law firm rather than with us.

Complete Licensing UK is happy to work alongside your existing solicitor, barrister, licensing consultant or other professional advisers. However, it is worth highlighting that we have developed an extensive network of experienced and specialist professionals who can provide additional expertise and support where required.

Our wider team and network includes experienced lawyers and barristers, former police officers with specialist licensing knowledge, medical practitioners and senior nurse practitioners, town planners, highly qualified academics in relevant disciplines, and health and safety specialists. Depending on the nature and requirements of your case, these professionals can provide specialist advice, technical assessments, detailed reports and, where appropriate, expert witness evidence and testimony.

This multidisciplinary approach means that we can draw upon a broad range of professional knowledge and experience to support complex or contentious licensing and regulatory matters, helping to ensure that relevant issues are properly examined and presented.

Protecting our clients' interests is central to the way we operate. We take care to identify and avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise our ability to act in your best interests or provide independent, objective advice.

Subject to our terms of business and any applicable legal or regulatory requirements, the information you share with us is completely confidential. We understand that licensing and regulatory matters can involve sensitive commercial, operational and personal information, and we take our responsibility to protect that information extremely seriously.

Complete Licensing UK maintains professional indemnity insurance to provide appropriate protection in connection with the professional consultancy services we provide.

Absolutely. Correspondence between you and Complete Licensing is in strict confidence but will not attract legal advice privilege or the same legal professional protections that may apply to confidential communications between a solicitor and their client.

We take information privacy and security very seriously. All of our internal company communications are conducted using an encrypted messaging system, and our email communications use PGP encryption to help protect the confidentiality of information exchanged with clients.

Independent licensing consultancies in the UK provide specialist advice and professional support to businesses and individuals navigating licensing laws and regulations.

They support a wide range of industries, including hospitality, retail, leisure, entertainment, gambling and events, helping clients with licence applications, renewals, transfers, variations and regulatory compliance. By offering expert guidance and liaising with local authorities and regulatory bodies, independent licensing consultants simplify the licensing process, help businesses meet their legal obligations and obtain and maintain the licences they need to operate legally and successfully.

It’s important to note that independent licensing consultancies are not a replacement for qualified lawyers or solicitors. While they provide specialist licensing advice and practical support, legal advice and representation should be sought from an appropriately qualified legal professional where required.

Using an independent licensing consultant provides access to specialist knowledge and practical support when navigating complex UK licensing laws and regulations, which can be a daunting task if they’re something you’re unfamiliar with.

They can help to identify the licences your business requires to operate legally, manage applications, liaise with local authorities and advise on regulatory compliance. An experienced licensing consultant can also help minimise delays, reduce the risk of costly mistakes and make the licensing process more straightforward, allowing you to focus on running your business with added peace of mind.

We provide independent licensing consultancy services across England and Wales, supporting businesses, individuals and organisations with a wide range of licensing requirements. Our core work is in alcohol and premises licensing under the Licensing Act 2003, but also includes Temporary Event Notices (TENs), club premises certificates, gambling licences and other specialist local authority licences.

If you're applying for a new licence, making changes to an existing one or seeking advice on licensing compliance, we can provide specialist guidance and support wherever you're based in England or Wales.

We offer both one-off licensing advice and ongoing consultancy support, depending on your business' needs. Our support is available before, during and after the licensing application process, from providing initial guidance and assessing licensing requirements to preparing and submitting applications, liaising with licensing authorities and advising on ongoing compliance. From help with specific licensing issues to providing a long-term consultancy partner, we can provide support at every stage.

Ideally, you should appoint a licensing consultant as early in the process as possible, particularly before starting a new business, opening premises or making changes to your existing operations. Early advice can help you to identify the licences and permissions required, highlight potential issues and avoid unnecessary delays or costs. However, a licensing consultant can also provide valuable support if you are already operating a business, need to vary or transfer an existing licence, are facing an objection or review, or require advice on ongoing licensing compliance.