Amanda Usher joined Woods Whur in January 2019 as a para-legal, before commencing her training contract. She has now qualified as a solicitor and is a key member of the firm, providing support in the Licensing team, working with Paddy Whur and Andy Woods on alcohol, entertainment and gambling matters, as well as assisting the Regulatory and Litigation team.
Within the Licensing Department Amanda has experience dealing with alcohol and gambling licensing, as well as taxi licensing and SEVs. Amanda has particular experience in advising on matters in relation to the investigations and enforcements of the Gambling Commission, the regulator for the gambling sector, as well as initial applications. These matters can involve anything from small scale, high street operators to international operating licence holders or national casinos. Recent cases include applying for operating licences for Asian and European clients, including Israeli and Italian companies, in a number of jurisdictions and defending a casino operator in front of the Gambling Commission regulatory panel. Amanda also works with a number of Adult Gaming Centre and Bingo operators on both their operating licences and premises licences.
Appeals have become more frequent and Amanda regularly assists both Andy and Paddy in front of various Magistrates Courts for Gambling Appeals.
Amanda also handles lottery clients alongside Andy and has assisted in the bidding process for the National Lottery.
Amanda has represented both the applicant and objectors for alcohol licensing matters in a range of locations and for a variety of different types of premises. This involves keeping up to date with the latest guidance and working closely with local authorities.
In the Regulatory and Litigation Department Amanda works on both civil litigation and criminal regulatory matters. In terms of regulatory matters she assists with handling court correspondence, general administration of files, including managing court bundles, and preparing documents. Amanda has assisted clients in recent cases that include prosecutions by the Local Authority concerning food safety offences, defending criminal proceedings concerning the Health and Safety at Work Act, and other investigations by varying regulatory bodies.
Amanda’s previous experience is in commercial dispute resolution at a boutique litigation firm in Leeds, where she worked from April 2016 to January 2019. She has acted for both Claimants and Defendants on a number of complex cases ranging from County Court to High Court, and also including specialist courts such as the Technology and Construction Court and Court of Appeal. She managed a varied caseload with disputes revolving around franchise agreements, property litigation, contracts, insurance and professional negligence. She has experience in handling these types of cases throughout their lifespan and has participated in mediations, injunctions and a variety of enforcement methods. Amanda’s experience allows her to approach litigation from a commercial view point and relate her proactive advice to clients regardless of their legal experience.
In her spare time Amanda plays Ice Hockey in her home town of Leeds.