Licensing Law Handbook

Textbooks covering alcohol and entertainment licensing are thin on the ground. The main authority for over a century has been Paterson’s Licensing Acts. While invaluable for the specialist practitioner, for those who merely need an overview of the relevant law as an adjunct to their main specialism, it is somewhat impenetrable and expensive. Those wanting a broader overview have a limited choice of texts which are now showing their age. Russell Hewitson’s third edition is therefore welcome.

While it is nearly 20 years since the Licensing Act 2003 came into force, pandemic-focused legislation has had a considerable impact on the hospitality industry. This book covers both the temporary deregulation of off-sales (which is the required permission to take alcoholic drinks away from the licensed area) and the provision of pavement licences for placing furniture on a highway, without neglecting the more established provisions.

The book flows well. Chapters are correctly ordered and having a single author assists with continuity of approach. I would like to see more practical advice, rather than repetition of statute. The author is now an academic and this shows. Several precedents are provided but examples of good practice (albeit there are website links) and working case studies would have been useful, especially on the subject of licensing sub-committee hearings.

These are minor quibbles, though. This is a useful text on occasions when Paterson’s Licensing Acts is too expensive or unnecessarily detailed.

Niall McCann is a partner at Keystone Law, London