Nicola Smith

Squire Patton Boggs

Nicola Smith specialises in hospitality and leisure. Her expertise covers both licensing and food law. Nicola acts for a wide range of clients from listed companies to entrepreneurs. She prides herself on providing commercially-minded advice as part of a one-stop shop for clients dealing with the management of all of their licensing and food law issues.

In addition to direct advice on licensing and food issues, Nicola provides support on corporate, property and insolvency transactions and advises on the licences required for the playing of copyright music by PRS or PPL. Nicola is experienced in reviewing and advising upon due diligence systems and has drafted operations manuals and compliance documents for numerous clients following such reviews. She has also provided training at both a legal and operational level including general updates and training on specific changes in law.

Nicola has successfully represented clients at numerous contested hearings across the country, including for the grant of licences and licence reviews. Nicola writes client updates on topical legal issues for the licensed trade in England and Wales and is a member of the Institute of Licensing.

Contributed to

5

A guide to licensing fees and levies

Practice notes

This Practice Note covers the licensing fees and levies applied by a local authority as a licensing authority in relation to the sale of alcohol and the provision of regulated entertainment, to taxi licences, or licences for street trading

Local Government

Assessing whether a licence is required for licensing for live music events

Practice notes

This Practice Note is the first of two providing practical guidance in connection with the licensing of live music events in England or Wales. It considers when the playing of live music requires a licence under the Licensing Act 2003 (LA 2003).

Local Government

Guide to health and safety considerations for licensed premises

Practice notes

This Practice Note aims to provide guidance to those operating licensed premises, local authorities and other regulators in relation to the promotion of public safety under the Licensing Act 2003 and associated health and safety legislation.

Local Government

Liquor licences for R&I professionals

Practice notes

In this Practice Note, Nicola Smith of Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP, offers guidance on liquor/alcohol licensing issues for insolvency practitioners including suspension and transfer of the licence, changes resulting from the Immigration Act 2016, the Policing and Crime Act 2017 and minimum alcohol pricing.

Restructuring & Insolvency

Permanent and temporary approvals when a licence for live music is needed

Practice notes

This Practice Note is the second of two providing practical guidance in connection with the licensing of live music events in England or Wales. It considers permanent and temporary approvals for live music events; and offences and enforcement steps which may be taken in connection with a live music event.

Local Government