Keep your business plans on track with our
Licensing Solicitors
- Experienced licensing solicitors in Lisburn and Lurgan.
- Making licensing applications in Northern Ireland since 1949.
- Extensive knowledge of licensing law.
- Free consultation to discuss your situation.
Talk to our licensing solicitors
Get expert legal support for your licensing application
Whether you’re an experienced hospitality and entertainment entrepreneur or you’re preparing to open your first bar, restaurant, hotel, bookmaker or club, licensing law is always complex. One misstep and your business plan will be in ruins.
With the legal expertise of our licensing solicitors on your side, you’ll have the best chance of successfully securing the licence your business needs to prosper. We’ll work tirelessly to achieve this without unnecessary hassle or delays.
How our licensing solicitors help you
We offer expert legal advice and support covering all aspects of licensing law in Northern Ireland. This includes guiding you through every step of the process for:
- Licensing applications
- Licensing application appeals
- Objections to licensing applications
- Licensing renewals
- Licence transfers
Our licensing solicitors will help you with applications, appeals and renewals for:
Entertainment licences
You need an entertainment licence in Northern Ireland if you hold any live entertainment on your premises. This includes singing, dancing, music, theatre or indoor sport. Educational institutions, religious worship and public exhibitions are all exempt.
We will help you to apply to your local council for a 12-month licence. With fines of up to £20,000 for staging indoor entertainment without an entertainment licence, it’s important to make sure you have the correct licensing in place.
Liquor licensing
Alcohol or liquor licensing covers the sale, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages. You will need a liquor licence if your business plans to sell alcohol. This includes pubs, bars, off-licences, hotels, restaurants and theatres.
We will help you apply to a County Court for a licence or a Certificate of Registration. Our licensing solicitors will handle every aspect of this on your behalf, supporting you with first-time liquor licence applications or renewing a liquor licence.
Amusement permits
If you’re operating a gaming machine in Northern Ireland, you must have an amusement permit. This includes gaming and amusement arcades, but also other premises with one or two prize machines.
We will apply to your local council to secure an amusement permit for your business. We can also guide you through any conditions the council wants to place on your licence.
Gambling licences
Gambling legislation in Northern Ireland covers a range of different licences. Depending on your business plans, you may need to apply for a bookmaker’s licence, a bookmaking office licence, a gaming machine supply and maintenance certificate, or a lottery licence.
We’ll guide you on which gambling licences apply to your business and help you complete all relevant applications.
Why choose H McPartland & Sons as your licensing solicitors?
We’ve been helping licensed businesses in Lurgan and Lisburn to navigate their licensing obligations successfully since 1949. In that time, we’ve built a wealth of experience and legal expertise covering all aspects of licensing in Northern Ireland.
We count many of the area’s longest-standing and most-respected licensees among our clients, which points to the local hospitality industry’s confidence in our legal services. This is in no small part due to our professional and cost-effective approach to all licensing matters.
When you choose us as your licensing solicitors, you benefit from those decades of experience. We will help you to develop the strongest application – and, if needed, appeal – to help you achieve your business goals.
Our experience in licensing applications helps us avoid costly delays and preempt possible objections, keeping your plans on track. This means less hassle and a smoother application process for you.
We offer free initial legal advice on all licensing matters. Book a consultation with our licensing solicitors at our offices in Lisburn or Lurgan. Both offices offer car parking – but you can also arrange a phone consultation, if you prefer.
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If you’re looking for a solicitor who genuinely fights for their clients and goes the extra mile, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Connor and everyone at McPartland & Sons Solicitors. Their commitment, professionalism, and determination made all the difference, and I am incredibly grateful for everything they did. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of first-class legal representation. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The level of professionalism I encountered was far below what I would expect for the huge fees they charged and the overall experience left me very disappointed. Based on this experience, I would strongly advise others to think carefully before engaging with this company.
Licensing Solicitors FAQs
Licensing is the process of granting legal permission for restricted or regulated industries and activities. Licensing legislation aims to maintain and enforce rules and standards, public order and safety, tax collection and other regulations covering alcohol sales and consumption, gambling and gaming activities, and other forms of public entertainment.
There is no legal requirement to use a licensing solicitor for an application, but the experience and expertise of a specialist solicitor is usually a relatively modest investment compared to the value of the licence to a business.
Licensing law is complicated. Working with a licensing solicitor ensures you don’t have to worry about these complexities. It also reduces the likelihood of delays due to incomplete or incorrect applications.
Licensing applications in Northern Ireland can take anything from a few weeks to several months. This depends on the type of licence you’re applying for, the complexity of your application, and whether there are objections to your application.
Our experienced licensing solicitors will help you ensure your application is completed fully and accurately to reduce the risk of unnecessary delays. Get in touch for a free consultation to discuss your plans.
Yes, if your licensing application is refused, you will usually have an opportunity to appeal that decision. To keep your business plans on track, it is vital that you don’t waste that opportunity.
Talk to our licensing solicitors to make sure you understand the strongest grounds for an appeal. Using our extensive licensing knowledge, we will help you to build an appeal with the best chance of overturning the original decision. Book a free consultation to discuss this.
The documents you need for your licensing application will depend on the licence for which you’re applying. You will typically need identification documents, financial records, background checks, your business plan and any relevant certifications.
Our licensing solicitors will advise you on which documents are needed or will strengthen your application, and will help you to compile and complete all the required paperwork.
Talk to our licensing solicitors
Lisburn Office
- Niagara Buildings,
- Tonagh Drive,
- Lisburn,
- BT28 1DY
Hear from our previous clients
If you’re looking for a solicitor who genuinely fights for their clients and goes the extra mile, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Connor and everyone at McPartland & Sons Solicitors. Their commitment, professionalism, and determination made all the difference, and I am incredibly grateful for everything they did. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of first-class legal representation. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The level of professionalism I encountered was far below what I would expect for the huge fees they charged and the overall experience left me very disappointed. Based on this experience, I would strongly advise others to think carefully before engaging with this company.
Anthony J
They where very efficient and attentive to our case.We where made to feel at ease and confident that our case would get their full attention
We where very happy with the outcome in the end.
Thank you Harry McPartland and Sons.
This time I had the pleasure of Conor dealing with my case. He was extremely professional, kept me updated at all times and due to his rigorous determination dealt with my case in the most prompt time frame.
I was absolutely delighted with his work and would highly recommend this firm.