Paddy Whur heads up the team’s public sector practice, having been a lead presenter at the Home Office National Alcohol Conferences. Paddy spoke at the 13 Regional Home Office Alcohol Enforcement Events, and was then asked to devise and deliver the content for the training events at the 54 priority areas identified by the Home Office. As a result of this project he was the runner up at the Home Office External Supplier of the Year Awards for his collaborative work in delivering training.
He was also successful in winning a contract to lead the project in delivering training and mentoring enforcement officers in a further 30 locations, 20 of which were at intensive three-day enforcement visits. This has developed into Paddy and the team representing Police and Local Authorities around the country in licensing appeals and developing bespoke training packages for the public sector.
Paddy undertook a full review and report on the licensing policies and procedure for Newham Council in the run up to the Olympics. As a result of this, he is retained to represent the authority on licensing appeals, to train staff and members, and advise generally. This work has led to his commendation by the Metropolitan Police Borough Commander for his services to licensing and the reduction of crime and antisocial behaviour linked to licensed premises. The team continues to undertake for a number of public sector bodies around the country and Paddy trained all of the District Judges and Deputy District Judges on Licensing Appeals.
The team has represented the British Transport Police, Metropolitan Police, Dorset Police, Cheshire Police and Humberside Police in major expedited/reviews, closure orders and appeal cases.
He is still retained by the London Borough of Newham to advise licensing sub-committees in challenging cases, represent them on appeal and also deliver training and offer strategic advice.
He has been retained by Wakefield Council to deliver Licensing Act and Gambling Act training to Councillors, officers and solicitors.
Paddy acted as Junior to Gerald Gouriet in the recent successful Judicial Review – Lalli v (1) The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis (2) The London Borough of Newham.
Please contact Paddy Whur on 07738 170137 or paddy@woodswhur.co.uk if you would like further information.