Business licensing and permits are essential for legal operation across many industries. Licensing breaches can result in prosecution, business closure, and reputational damage, making specialist legal advice crucial for obtaining and maintaining the correct permissions.
What Our Licensing & Permits Solicitors Can Help With
- Alcohol Licensing: Premises licenses, personal licenses and licensing appeals
- Entertainment Licensing: Music, dancing, late night refreshment and regulated entertainment
- Taxi & Private Hire: Vehicle and driver licensing and licensing appeals
- Gambling Licenses: Gaming machines, betting shops and casino licensing
- Professional Licensing: Regulatory permissions for professional services
- Trading Licenses: Street trading, market trader and commercial permits
- Planning Permissions: Planning applications and appeals process
- Licensing Disputes: License refusal appeals and enforcement defence
Alcohol Licensing
Premises License Applications:
- New premises license applications
- Variation of existing premises licenses
- Transfer of premises licenses
- Provisional statements for proposed premises
- Club premises certificates
- Temporary event notices
Licensing Objectives:
- Prevention of crime and disorder: Security measures and incident management
- Public safety: Capacity limits and emergency procedures
- Prevention of public nuisance: Noise control and operating hours
- Protection of children from harm: Age verification and safeguarding
Operating Schedule Requirements:
- Sale of alcohol by retail
- Supply of alcohol to club members
- Provision of regulated entertainment
- Provision of late night refreshment
- Hours of operation and conditions
- Designated premises supervisor appointment
Entertainment and Events Licensing
Regulated Entertainment:
- Performance of plays and films
- Indoor sporting events
- Boxing and wrestling entertainment
- Live and recorded music
- Dancing and similar activities
- Entertainment facilities for dancing
Temporary Event Notices:
- Standard temporary event notices (10 working days)
- Late temporary event notices (5 working days)
- Annual limits: 15 TENs per premises, 50 per person
- Duration limits: Maximum 168 hours per event
- Capacity limits: Maximum 499 people
Transport and Vehicle Licensing
Taxi and Private Hire Licensing:
- Hackney carriage vehicle licenses
- Private hire vehicle licenses
- Hackney carriage driver licenses
- Private hire driver licenses
- Private hire operator licenses
- DBS checks and medical requirements
Licensing Standards and Conditions:
- Vehicle age, type and specification requirements
- Driver competency and English language tests
- Knowledge tests for local geography
- Insurance requirements and compliance
- Safety equipment and accessibility features
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance standards
Professional and Business Licensing
Financial Services Licensing:
- FCA authorization and permissions
- Consumer credit licensing
- Payment services authorization
- Electronic money institution licensing
- Insurance distribution permissions
Healthcare and Professional Licensing:
- Care Quality Commission registration
- Medicines and healthcare products licensing
- Professional body registration and compliance
- Clinical trial authorizations
- Medical device and equipment permits
Trading and Commercial Permits:
- Street trading licenses
- Market trader permits
- Skip and scaffolding permits
- Pavement cafe licenses
- Mobile catering permits
- Charitable collection permits
Gambling and Gaming Licensing
Gambling Commission Licensing:
- Operating licenses for gambling businesses
- Personal management licenses
- Premises licenses for gambling premises
- Gaming machine permits
- Lottery licenses and registrations
- Remote gambling permissions
Gambling Compliance Requirements:
- Customer identification and verification
- Anti-money laundering compliance
- Social responsibility measures
- Advertising and marketing standards
- Complaint handling procedures
- Financial reporting and returns
Planning and Development Permissions
Planning Permission Types:
- Full planning permission applications
- Outline planning permission
- Reserved matters applications
- Change of use applications
- Listed building consent
- Prior approval notifications
Planning Policy Considerations:
- National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
- Local development plans and policies
- Neighborhood development plans
- Conservation area restrictions
- Green belt and countryside policies
- Environmental impact assessments
Licensing Appeals and Disputes
Appeal Procedures:
- Magistrates court licensing appeals
- High court judicial review challenges
- Planning inspectorate appeals
- First-tier tribunal licensing appeals
- Ombudsman complaints procedures
Enforcement Defence:
- License breach allegations
- Prosecution defence for unlicensed activities
- License review proceedings
- Suspension and revocation challenges
- Regulatory investigation responses
Licensing Compliance Management
Ongoing Compliance Requirements:
- Annual license renewal applications
- Compliance monitoring and reporting
- Staff training and competency programs
- Record keeping and documentation
- Incident reporting and management
- Regular license condition reviews
Risk Management Strategies:
- Compliance audit and assessment programs
- Policy and procedure development
- Staff training and awareness programs
- Monitoring and reporting systems
- Crisis management and incident response
- Stakeholder engagement and community relations
Licensing and Permits Costs
License Application Fees:
- Premises license application: £100-£2,000 (depending on rateable value)
- Personal license application: £37
- Taxi driver license: £100-£500
- Gambling operating license: £2,500-£15,000
- Planning application: £206-£462 per dwelling
Legal Representation Costs:
- Simple license application: £1,500-£5,000
- Complex license application: £5,000-£25,000
- Licensing appeal: £10,000-£50,000
- Enforcement defence: £5,000-£25,000
- Licensing review proceedings: £7,500-£35,000
Ongoing Compliance Costs:
- Annual compliance review: £2,000-£10,000
- Staff training programs: £500-£2,500
- Policy development: £1,000-£5,000
- Professional licensing renewals: £100-£5,000 annually
Why Choose SolicitorConnect for Licensing & Permits
- Licensing Specialists: Solicitors focusing exclusively on licensing and regulatory permissions
- Local Authority Relationships: Established relationships with licensing authorities
- Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of sector-specific licensing requirements
- Appeal Experience: Proven track record in licensing appeals and disputes
- Compliance Support: Ongoing guidance for maintaining licensing compliance
- Commercial Focus: Practical solutions that support business operations and growth
Professional licensing legal advice ensures you obtain the correct permissions for your business while maintaining ongoing compliance with complex regulatory requirements.
This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal advice tailored to your situation, please consult with a qualified solicitor.
