How we work with clients

Communication

We are available 24/7 and our solicitors work with Blackberries and mobile phones. All staff are tasked with responding to phone messages and emails within hours of receiving them. We also have an 'out of hours' service for changing the DPS. We take feedback very seriously and instigate regular surveys on our service.

Client teams

We are organised into Client Teams, comprising a minimum of three solicitors and several paralegals.

Each team is assigned to a client to provide a dedicated service providing case preparation and research, liaising between the client and the authorities and ensuring that all applications are correctly drafted and served.

The Client Teams have responsibility for preparing, issuing and monitoring routine applications and report to the Solicitor responsible regularly. The teams also automatically renew any licences or permits when they are due.

Administration

We lead the field in administration systems for our clients:

• We can produce a comprehensive licence report for each premise and can provide a historical record and a reminder of any future matters that will need to be processed.
• The network also assists our client support teams in the speedy reproduction of standard forms, which may be completed on behalf of the applicant.
• In addition to the computerised database we maintain bound files for each premise which contain the hard copies of the licences and permit. The files also contain copies of any other essential information about the unit.

This service is essential in providing the history of the premise when preparing any applicant. We focus on creating good relationships with councils and police licensing officers, and are often consulted by them on points of licensing law.

We are also able to offer real-time access for clients to their files via our web-based system, Licence to View.

Local agents

We use a carefully selected network of local solicitor agents and barristers to deal with applications where we feel an agent is appropriate. Where a matter is more contentious, however, our own advocates will normally travel to the hearing.

Charges and Disbursements

Please ask for a current schedule that explains our charges. Our services are flexible in response to client demands.

We can produce a task-oriented bill, where clients pay per application on completion of their instructions. We are also happy to quote an annual administration charge that will cover all routine licensing administration.

Disbursements include all council charges, which are invoiced to you as and when they are incurred.

Nick Walton, Solicitor

Nick joined Poppleston Allen in 2004 and specialises in applications for Private Members' Clubs, Cinemas, Race Courses and large complex open areas.

He currently works with several large Clients for Poppleston Allen as well as researching specific areas of Licensing Law and their impact on licensing in general.

• Find out about all our solicitors