Leigh specialises in licensing law and advises clients across Wales, England and Scotland on applications, enforcement action, appeals and other complex licensing matters. He has also been instructed on large due diligence exercises involving estates of licensed premises and has provided licensing support in a director dispute.

Leigh has represented a wide range of organisations, including PLCs, a Premiership football club, national gambling operators, a national supermarket chain, educational institutions, franchises, private hire online operators and growing SMEs. He brings a practical and commercially focused approach to complex regulatory issues.

Leigh is experienced in highly complex matters involving serious and violent crime, strict cumulative impact areas and technical points of law. He has represented clients in the Magistrates’ Court, the Crown Court and Judicial Review proceedings.

Leigh is regularly invited to speak at national conferences on licensing matters, including new licensing regimes. He shares practical insight on changes in licensing legislation and policy. He has served on the Advisory Board for an organisation in the competitive socialising sector, jointly edited a licensing publication and written articles for hospitality publications.

Leigh is recognised as a rising talent in the field and was named runner up for the 2025 Institute of Licensing’s Charles Holland Award.

Leigh’s expertise includes:

• Alcohol licensing
• Gambling licensing
• Taxi and private hire licensing
• SEV licensing
• Street trading
• Pavement licensing
• Tobacco and vapes

Examples of work undertaken:

• Instructed by a renowned PLC to secure variations for premises licences held over its client offices.
• Secured a variation of premises licence for a grassroots live music venue within a London CIA.
• Advised a grassroots dance music social media streaming studio on regulated entertainment.
• Instructed to apply for 5am premises licence within the Westminster CIA.
• Instructed by a well-known event operator to advise on applications for premises licences at two new London event venues and a new music festival space.
• Secured a bingo operator licence for a large leisure premises.
• Advised two social media companies at start up stage on the legalities of their competition pages under gambling legislation.
• Instructed by a well-known PLC casino and bingo club operator in making various gambling applications in England, Scotland and Wales.
• Instructed by a well-known casino operator to advise on an ICO data protection complaint in relation to its social responsibility requirements.
• Successfully defended a review of a private hire operator’s licence and private hire driver’s licence at hearings, with the licensing authority requesting revocation of both licences for criminal convictions.
• Secured the renewal of a SEV licence at the centre of a commercial dispute between former business partners. The renewal required tactical and strategic advice to reduce the risk of objections being made against the application.

Sector testimonials:

“Leigh has been instrumental acting as the instructing solicitor for a complex appeal against interim steps and an ongoing appeal concerning the revocation of the same premises licence. In these challenging roles, he has consistently proven himself to be remarkably efficient, thorough, and highly organised…

Leigh’s impactful contributions and impressive skillset clearly mark him as a standout emerging talent in the field of licensing law.”

A Local Authority

“Leigh has instructed me on numerous licensing matters. He is always a pleasure to work with. He has an in-depth and creative legal imagination which he uses to great effect to achieve the best results for his clients. He is none-the-less realistic and doesn’t pursue arguments that have little or no merit; but meticulously explores each and every potential avenue. He strives to win but knows when enough is enough. He matches discernment and intelligence to effectively advise and represent clients.”

Counsel

“Working with Leigh as our licensing solicitor was an outstanding experience from start to finish. His professionalism, attention to detail, and thorough understanding of the process gave us complete confidence every step of the way.

Leigh’s communication was exceptional. He kept us informed throughout, explained everything clearly, and was always available to answer our questions promptly. His approachable manner and commitment to achieving the best outcome made what could have been a stressful process feel straightforward and well managed.”

We would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, reliable, and highly professional solicitor.”

Client

In his spare time, Leigh is a keen triathlete and also sits on the Board of the Leeds Triathlon Centre. Leigh is a devoted fan of his Australian Rules Football team, the Adelaide Crows and interestingly, prior to qualifying as a solicitor, worked as a flair bartender.