Property and Social Housing

BSB Barristers’ Register

Peter is a very experienced member of the Housing Team dealing with all areas of social housing including possession, anti-social behaviour, disrepair, homelessness, housing benefit, Equality Act and issues of trespass.

He provides written advice on all of these subjects and regularly provides bepsoke training for clients. His most recent topics have included homelessness law – particularly in the context of gypsy and travellers.

Peter appears regularly for a large number of local authorities, social landlord clients, charities and individuals in the County Court nationally as well as the High Court, the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal and the Property Chamber of the First Tier Tribunal.

Regulatory and Local Government

Peter is one of the most experienced practitioners in our Regulatory Team with a number of specific areas of expertise.

Licensing

Peter regularly advises and represents clients in cases involving all forms of licensing including alcohol, regulated entertainment, late night refreshment, sex establishments, betting and gaming, taxis, firearms and shotguns, the Security Industry Authority and goods vehicles.

He often acts for the Police and local authorities before Licensing Committees as well as the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. In additon he has acted for a number of large national retailers and pub chains.

Alcohol and Entertainment

Peter offers extensive experience of advisory and advocacy in alcohol and entertainment cases which has included large scale outdoor events and major festivals.

He advises many local authorities and a number of police forces on licensing related issues and is regularly their main training resource. He regularly attends review hearings and hearings consequent upon closure orders under s.160/161 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Betting and Gambling

Peter has experience in all aspects of betting, gaming and lottery law. He acted for a major online betting organisation in the setting up of their operations in the UK and he lectures on the subject regularly.

Taxis

Peter has substantial experience in cases involving hackney carriages and private hire licensing and the various operator licences connected to this.

He is often in the local Crown and Magistrates’ Court dealing with appeals against the revocation  of these licences and is often asked to speak to Local Authority Licensing Committees as to proper prodecures for these cases.

Peter has experience of drafting the standard conditions and policies Councils require and advising on demand and delimitation.

Firearms

Since he joined Chambers Peter has been instructed by Police Forces and certifcate holders in all aspects of firearm and shotgun licensing.

This includes the revocation of licences, refusals and issues relating to the licensing of gun clubs.

Clubs

Apart from the more obvious licensing issues connnected with clubs Peter provides advice on matters such as the status of clubs, their constitution, any gaming and lotteries they may run and the liabilities clubs are under to third parties and for the acts of their door staff.

Sex Establishments

Peter has many years of experience in applications for, and objections to, licensing of sex establishments. This has included judicial review proceedings following the grant of such licences.

Planning and Land

Peter’s vast experience of Regulatory and Housing work has evolved into more general work in cases involving disputes of the ownership of land and issues such as disputed boundaries.

He also has particular experience in all issues relating to Planning Enforcement where he is regularly instructed by a large number of local authorities.

Employment

Peter was a member of the Attorney General’s Employment Panel for many years and that experience has helped him develop a strong Employment law practice.

He often acts for claimants and respondents in the Employment Tribunal and is a regular speaker at our Employment Breakfast Seminars.

Civil

Peter has been advising and representing clients on general Civil work for many years.

He has a strong reputation in personal injury work advising on liability and quantum at an early stage and appearing in contested hearings in the County and High Court.

He often looks at contractual disputes which ties in with his extensive Employment practice and he has worked on a number of high profile cases involving allegations of professional negligence.