Paddy is a founding member of the practice and has specialised in licensing law since 1991. He is praised for providing “a feasible idea of what you will achieve, rather than tell you what you want to hear”. He is celebrated by clients for being “astoundingly effective,” and retains his number 1 ranking in the Chambers Directory and the Legal 500. His key strength is big case strategy, preparation and delivery.
Paddy is a Solicitor-Advocate (Higher Courts All Proceedings), having attained his higher rights from the Solicitors Regulation Authority, allowing him to act as advocate representing clients in all criminal and civil courts in the UK. He has gained a notable reputation as a “tenacious advocate” in high profile betting, liquor and entertainment applications and reviews. He has used his Higher Rights of Audience to act as junior advocate to leading counsel in the important case of Sharanjeet Lalli v The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis (1) the council of the London Borough of Newham (2) [2015] EWHC 14 (Admin).
In contested matters Paddy will take instructions for your case and attend all pre-application meetings, preparing for and acting as your advocate.
Betting and Gaming
He has represented all of the UK nationally renowned bookmakers. In addition, he has represented international bookmakers and e-betting and gaming operators from all over Europe. During these years he has represented The Tote, Coral, Bet Fred, William Hill and Ladbrokes for betting work. He is currently retained by Boyle Sports as they grow their UK high street betting estate. He has also represented a number of Adult Gaming Centre and Bingo Operators in contested applications for premises licences.
Paddy was the lead lawyer in advising the Cyprus Government on re-drafting their betting and gaming law after leading a multi-disciplined team which conducted an over-reaching review of the whole industry. He has also assisted William Hill Online in a significant world wide jurisdiction project, as part of their application for a Nevada Gaming Licence. He has worked in conjunction with other law firms during major sales and re-financing of gambling companies.
He has been retained by Rank for the last 8 years and looks after Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos for them. As well as administrating their estate he looks after the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005 advice and applications for Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo. He has represented Chongie Limited since set up to have in excess of 20 AGC licences granted for their Little Vegas brand.
He has given strategic advice and submitted a significant number of operating licence applications to the UK Gambling Commission and has been described as “probably the best betting solicitor in the country” in the Legal 500.
Liquor Licensing
Over the past 30 years Paddy has acted for supermarkets, nightclubs, bars and restaurants all over the U.K.in high profile contested cases against police, trading standards, environmental health and residential opposition. As well as acting for these companies on a National basis, he also represents the majority of Leeds independent operators. He has gained success in a number of highly contested hearings securing new premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003 for major new sites in London, Leeds, Cardiff, Birmingham, Newcastle and Nottingham in the cities’ Cumulative Impact Policy areas. These applications have been granted against representations from the police, other responsible authorities and organisations.
After representing the world famous fabric nightclub in securing the return of their licence he has gone onto specialise in representing live music and dance venues in London, Sheffield, Cardiff, Birmingham and Bristol as well as a significant number of festivals, including winning the appeal to reinstate the hours for Shindig in Somerset. He has looked after the Printworks, Drumsheds and Field Day festival as well as a significant number of events spaces in London. He was successful in securing 2 new licences in Newham for the Dockyards development at Silvertown and the new premises licence for the new Drumsheds premises at the former Ikea in Enfield.
Paddy also has a particular expertise in Sexual Entertainment Venue Licensing with applications in London, Newcastle, Durham, Manchester, Leeds, Scarborough, Chesterfield, Sheffield, Harrogate, and Halifax.
Paddy has also been successful in dealing with cases involving illegal workers in licensed premises.
He has a very strong reputation for working with local agencies in attempt to win new licences with a collegiate approach ensuring that a fair and balanced resolution is reached.
Independent reviews for the Legal 500 say “his knowledge of alcohol and entertainment law is second to none.” In Chambers Directory he is described as “an excellent lawyer, very thorough and personable.”
Public Sector
Paddy heads up the firm’s Public Sector Practice, having spoken at the 2nd and 4th Home Office National Alcohol Conferences, where he received glowing feedback from delegates. This resulted in him speaking at 13 Regional Home Office Alcohol Enforcement Events, 54 priority areas and 4 intensive support visits. He was shortlisted for the Home Office External Supplier of the Year Awards, for his collaborative work in delivering training.
Paddy undertook a full review and report of the licensing policies and procedures for London Borough of Newham Council in the run up to the London Olympics in 2012. He is retained to represent the authority on licensing appeals and licensing strategy.
Paddy Whur was a visiting lecturer at Warwick University having written the Gambling Course for the University’s Certificate of Higher Education in Licensing Law.
He has been a contributing author to Paterson’s Licensing Acts. Paddy Whur, together with Andrew Woods and Stephen McGowan, have written ‘Gaming in Licensed Premises’ published in January 2010, which looks at the relationship between Gambling and Alcohol Legislation.
Please contact Paddy Whur on 07738 170137 or paddy@woodswhur.co.uk if you would like further information.