With an in-depth understanding of Scottish licensing law, the team at Miller Samuel Hill Brown Solicitors is geared to handle an array of matters encompassing both contentious and non-contentious issues. The team’s extensive experience draws in a roster of household name clients as well as a growing public sector offering. Practice chair Audrey Junner‘s specialism in liquor and gambling licensing sees her regularly appear in Licensing Board hearings on behalf of clients in the hospitality and retail sector. The team also benefits from the experience of seasoned practitioners Jack Cummins and Peter Lawson on mandates in the hospitality, retail, and transport sectors. Chloe Crawford is recognised for her civic and liquor licensing experience, frequently appearing at Licensing Board hearings.

TLT‘s team of specialist lawyers are well-versed in all aspects of licensing mandates. The team has brought its experience to bear on a number of major and complex projects for household name clients in the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors. The practice is spearheaded by Stephen McGowan, whose track record in contentious Licensing Board hearings wins him instructions from an extensive list of clients from the liquor, gambling, and entertainment industries. Caroline Loudon utilises her background as a commercial litigator to routinely represent high-level clients from the gambling sector, while Lynn Simpson bolsters the firm’s short-term let licensing offering.

Advising on the full spectrum of licensing regulation, Harper Macleod LLP regularly handles licensing applications, hearings, and appeals. The team is a port of call for high-profile clients from the forecourt, leisure and hospitality sectors. Practice head Andrew Hunter has a strong book of work relating to liquor, gambling, and civic government licensing and works closely with John McHugh. Angus Brown is noted for his litigation expertise across mandates from the forecourt and property sectors.

With a ‘diverse range of expertise’, the team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts is experienced in all manner of licensing mandates from both the public and private sector. The team’s diverse client base sees it receive instructions from the hospitality, charitable, and retail sectors. The team is led by David Hossack, who is able to leverage his vast experience before licensing boards to guide clients through licensing applications and hearings. Ewan McGillivray has established himself as a go-to name for civic government licensing matters, while Dana Strain offers assistance on liquor licensing mandates.

Pinsent Masons LLP is well regarded for its licensing work across the Scottish market, with liquor, gambling and civic government licensing issues all falling within the unit’s purview. The team is noted in the hospitality, tourism, and leisure sectors for its experience handling high-value and complex licensing applications and transactions. Abbie Hunter is active on short-term let licensing, and Christine Pirie has a strong track record appearing at Licensing Board hearings. Audrey Ferrie retired in the summer of 2025.

Lauded for its 'great insight and advice', the team at Anderson Strathern is highly skilled at handling both the transactional and contentious elements of licensing instructions. Representative work for the group covers mandates from the hospitality, retail, and public sectors. Katrina Lumsdaine leads the group, and Scott Flannigan is noted for his prowess on the contentious side of licensing work, often representing clients from the hospitality industry in alcohol and late-night catering applications. Eilidh MacEwan is instructed by public sector clients to act in appeals.

Acting for high-profile clients from the retail, hospitality, and taxi sectors, Shepherd and Wedderburn‘s practice is well-geared to handle the full range of licensing matters from new applications to variations and compliance issues. Kevin Clancy heads up the practice and handles various matters pertaining to alcohol, taxi and late hours catering applications. Serena Weir stands out for her skillset on contentious licensing board hearings and is often supported by Kirsty MacCorquodale.