- Licensing Act 2003
- Alcohol
- Personal Licences
- Premises Licences
- Policies
- Working Men’s Clubs
- Temporary Event Notices
- Entertainment
- Hackney Carriages
- Private Hire Vehicles
- Public Service Vehicles
Licensing
Areas of expertise include:
- Gangmasters
- Scrap Metal
- Pavement Licences
- Betting
- Gambling & Gaming
- Lotteries
- Waste Disposal
- Sex Shops
- Sex Cinemas
- Sexual Entertainment Venues
- Street Trading
- Shotguns
- Firearms
- Houses in Multiple Occupation
- Sport Broadcasts
- Satellite Cards
- Coronavirus Regulations
- Committee Hearings
- Judicial Review
- Legal/Medicinal Cannabis
- Industrial Hemp
- Cannabidiol (CBD) Products
Licensing Barristers
Licensing law is going through some interesting times. Just when it looked as if the changes brought about by the Licensing Act 2003 had settled down, there then followed significant amendments to the Act flowing from the Police Reform & Social Responsibility Act 2011. Simultaneously, the Courts have signalled a move away from a technical, quasi-judicial approach to licensing decisions, and at local government level, licensing is becoming more an expression of democratic will and less an adversarial fight between applicant and objector. Human Rights and European jurisprudence play an ever-increasing role in licensing disputes.
Other changes include the replacement of the old Gaming Acts by the Gambling Act, the introduction of “sexual entertainment venues” as a new category of premises requiring a licence, and significant case-law in the field of taxi licensing. And the changes will not stop, with Law Commission consultation on the reform of the (in parts 165 year old) licensing system for hackney carriages, and more case law on the horizon.
Members of the team have experience of advising on a wide range of issues relating to the licensing of legal/medicinal cannabis, industrial hemp, and cannabidiol (CBD) related products, including enforcement, advertising, storage, distribution and importation (including condemnation proceedings) and the application of the Exempt Product Criteria. This includes investigations and enforcement proceedings brought against hemp and CBD related businesses including manufacturers, retailers and distributors.
Through this ever-shifting landscape, Trinity’s licensing barristers provide direction with a wealth of highly specialised expertise and experience. The Licensing Group is home to some of the most well known licensing advocates in the North of England, and has a practice of national scope receiving instructions from solicitors and in house counsel from across England and Wales.
Members of the Group frequently speak at licensing seminars and training events, including those hosted by Lawyers in Local Government, Institute of Licensing, Balance North East and the North-East Strategic Licensing Group, as well as in-house lectures delivered to local authorities, police authorities and solicitors’ firms.
It is of immense benefit to the barristers in the Group and to their clients to have access to Trinity Chambers’ other specialist practice groups, where there is frequent cross-over from licensing matters, particularly in relation to Administrative & Public, Civil Liberties & Human Rights, Regulatory, Planning, Crime, Property, Housing, Employment and Business. Clients will often find that Trinity Chambers can be a "one-stop shop" for all legal issues arising out of the conduct and management of licensed premises.
Barristers in the Group are members of the Institute of Licensing and have been consistently highly rated by industry publications such as the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
Barristers in the group have significant experience in advising and acting for licensing authorities, responsible authorities, applicants and objectors at all stages of applications, as well as in relation to policies. As well as the more typical bar, nightclub, pub, working men’s club and retail operations, the licensing barristers have been involved in more unusual and complex matters, running the spectrum from major arenas and sports stadia, concert halls and music festivals to “stretch limo” based operations.
Members of the Licensing Group have real expertise in taxi licensing matters, with barristers in the group appearing in major judicial reviews such as Berwick Borough Council v. Newcastle City Council and Stockton Borough Council v. Fidler. Advice is provided by the barristers to local authorities on a national basis, and members of the Group are currently working with the Law Commission in relation to its consultation on the reform of taxi law.
Barristers in the Licensing Group deal with all betting, gaming and lottery matters, from casinos to betting shops attached to working men’s clubs and raffles. This a field where online presence has become a significant factor, and Trinity Chambers has a close relationship with practitioners in offshore jurisdictions where the decision is taken to locate operations outside the UK.
Barristers in the Licensing team have experience in dealing with investigations undertaken by the Premier League regarding allegations of copyright infringement by pubs and clubs showing 'live' football matches using foreign channel broadcasts from satellite decoder cards.
Barristers in the Licensing Group have advised and acted in numerous sex licensing matters, from conventional lap-dancing operations and sex shops to more esoteric matters including erotica conventions, sex cinemas, R18 video operations, saunas and online agencies.
The Licensing Group has enormous experience and expertise in acting in appeals under the Firearms Act 1968, an area that has attracted increasing controversy in the last 20 years as licensing authorities try to strike the balance between the protection of the public and the rights of the certificate holder.
Steve Walker
Lead Civil Clerk
Steve joined Trinity Chambers in 2018 as Civil Clerk. He has worked in the legal industry for over 20 years, initially as a Litigation Executive at a number of firms in Manchester and then, from 2004, as a Clerk at leading sets in Manchester, London and Newcastle. Having worked as a litigator for many years prior to becoming a clerk, Steve is acutely aware of the pressures Chambers’ clients work under and goes out of his way to ensure the service they get from Chambers goes beyond that of our competitors.
As well as day to day management of the civil diary Steve is heavily involved in business development and client relationship management for the Civil Team. He is always more than happy to discuss with clients how Chambers, Members of Chambers and the Clerks might tailor the service we offer to best suit your needs.
Legal 500 2025
'Steve Walker is the perfect clerk'
'Steve Walker is a personable and sensible clerk'
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Trinity has a really good clerking team. I deal mostly with Steve Walker, lead civil clerk, who is a pleasure to deal with. He and the rest of his team are very approachable and responsive.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Steven Walker is excellent.’
‘Steve Walker and Paul McNab are always friendly, approachable and make excellent suggestions as to which counsel may be best suited for a particular matter.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steve Walker has a very good knowledge of the market. He is a very helpful clerk.' 'Steve Walker is very responsive and helpful.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Steve Walker has always been efficient and helpful.’ ‘All of the clerks are responsive and helpful. Steven Walker is superb.’ ‘Steven Walker will go above and beyond for his clients ensuring that instructing solicitors are matched with the right barrister matching their skill set for the matter.’ ‘Clerking is first class. Steve Walker and Josh Stewart-Tilling provide a quick and helpful service.’
Chambers & Partners 2022
'Steve Walker is responsive and very helpful.' 'Steve Walker is very hard-working and does a good job looking after the barristers.' 'Steve Walker is very proactive, easy to talk to and will sort things out if we need any help.'
Legal 500 2022
'Steve Walker is excellent. He takes the time to understand the problem and works around the clock to ensure expectations are met.'
Josh Stewart-Tilling
Lead Employment Clerk & Civil Clerk
Josh joined Trinity in 2020 as a Clerk on the Civil team after working for 5 years in business management. The transferable skills gained have enabled him to make this change in career and given him the chance to revert back to his university degree in Philosophy and Theology.
Within the Civil clerking, Josh heads up the clerking of the Employment Law team.
Outside of Chambers Josh enjoys playing football and following his beloved Newcastle United where he has had a season ticket since he was a young boy. He also enjoys playing music as part of a band, predominantly playing drums but plays piano and sax as well.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'The service from the clerks is first rate. There is never any delay in replying to correspondence and they are always very helpful. Josh Stewart-Tilling is the lead employment clerk.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerking is first class. Steve Walker and Josh Stewart-Tilling provide a quick and helpful service.’
Paul McNab
Civil & Criminal Silks' Clerk
Paul joined Trinity Chambers in March 2020 following the closure of Zenith Chambers.
Paul has a wealth of experience in the legal profession having commenced his career in the late 80's and qualified as a legal executive in the early 90's whilst working for one of the countries largest criminal law firms dealing with serious criminal cases before moving to Number One Fountain Court in Birmingham as the Senior Clerk. Following the merger of Number One with St Philips Chambers in 2002 Paul became the Senior Criminal Clerk looking after what was then the largest criminal team in the country at the time.
Paul took almost a decade away from clerking during which he was the Chief Executive of an International Law firm specialising in domestic and international public law and human rights law adding a range of business and management skills to his CV before returning to the Bar in 2017 as the Senior Civil Clerk at Zenith Chambers in Leeds.
Away from Chambers, Paul can be found on the sidelines at Five Ways Old Eds RFC where he played second row for many decades, or coaching the age grade players at Old Halesonians RFC. When not coaching rugby, Paul is a season ticket holder at Bristol Bears (following the demise of Wasps) and religiously follows Ireland Rugby home and away where he enjoys the occasional "sociable pint"! With more time on his hands Paul plans to learn his native Irish language in 2025!
Legal 500 2025
'The clerks' room is excellent. Paul McNab goes the extra mile to assist us and ensures that we always have access to counsel.'
'Steve Walker and Paul McNab are very responsive and a pleasure to deal with.'
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Paul McNab is always available, commercial and pragmatic.'
'Paul McNab, clerk, is the go-to person. If Paul can't do it no one can. He is the finest clerk I have worked with. He's an asset to the chambers.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
‘Steve Walker and Paul McNab are always friendly, approachable and make excellent suggestions as to which counsel may be best suited for a particular matter.’
‘Paul McNab is always available and always willing to assist where he can.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Paul McNab, clerk, is excellent and has never let me down.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerks are approachable and accommodating.’‘Paul McNab – contactable, adaptable, and provides a good service.’‘Paul McNab is responsive, professional and knowledgeable.’
Chambers & Partners 2022
'Paul McNab is an excellent clerk. He's responsive, reliable and personable.'
Chris Gibbin
Clerk
Chris had over 9 years experience as a Senior Clerk in a barristers chambers in Middlesbrough before joining Trinity Chambers. Prior to that Chris worked in the Lord Chancellors Department, now HM Courts and Tribunals Service, at Teesside Combined Court Centre for over 10 years. During that time Chris covered most areas but the majority of his experience was gained in dealing with Criminal and Family Law matters. Chris’ latter years in the LCD were spent in the Listing Office at Teesside Crown Court where he developed his skills which ultimately saw him transferring to his role in a barristers chambers.
Chris is a member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks.
Outside of work Chris enjoys playing cricket for Marske Cricket Club in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, watching football and rugby and socialising.
Legal 500 2025
'Chris Gibbin can only be described as outstanding - an unsung hero! He is a great ambassador for Trinity Chambers'
Legal 500 2024
‘Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin are always on hand to deal with last minute issues, and have an excellent working relationship with local courts.’
Legal 500 2022
'Chris Gibbin is an extremely helpful and experienced clerk.'
'The Teesside branch is spearheaded by Chris Gibbin who is extremely helpful and efficient.'
Chambers & Partners 2022
'I cannot fault the clerking services – Chris Gibbin in Middlesbrough is very helpful, offers prompt responses and is always willing to assist.'
Aimee Bloxham
Civil Clerk
Aimee joined Trinity in 2021 as a Junior Clerk within the Civil team, after 1 year of working as a litigation paralegal in a well-regarded, Newcastle based law firm. Here she developed an eye for detail and great organisational skills, moreover she gained a sound understanding of court procedures and litigation paperwork.
Aimee achieved a first-class BA (Honours) degree in Children and Young People from Newcastle College University Centre in 2019. She completed a dissertation on the advantages and challenges of standardised testing in primary schools and comparatively researched the difference between testing in both Year 2 and Year 6. While studying for her BA degree, Aimee worked in a nursery for 2 years where she was able to enhance her communication skills and teamworking abilities.
Outside of chambers Aimee enjoys walking her dog along the beach, socialising with friends, and travelling.
Legal 500 2025
'Aimee Bloxham is an absolute asset to chambers and has a great rapport with solicitors.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
Fiona Bullock
Direct Access Clerk
Fiona joined Trinity Chambers in 2007 after an established career in some of Scotland's top hotels and restaurants.
After gaining a BA in Hotel Catering and Management, Fiona progressed with her Food and Beverage Management career and on moving to the North East, she became one half of a North Yorkshire restaurant.
Fiona is Chambers Direct Access clerk and has found that her previous experience has stood her in good stead being in a client focused role. Fiona also looks after Chambers Governance and Compliance, and collates Chambers submissions for the Legal Directories.
Outside Chambers Fiona and her Labrador Olly volunteer with Wag & Co North East Friendship Dogs.