Introduction
Duncan Craig is widely considered to be the leading licensing barrister in the Midlands and one of the UK’s leading juniors in the field (Legal 500). An exceptional advocate, Duncan has built his practice up from a standing start in 2013 to become one of the busiest licensing lawyers in the country.
Prior to call to the Bar, Duncan had a 20 year career in the licensed trade, including a 10 year period where he owned and operated bars and restaurants in Nottingham, employing over 120 people. He is the only licensing specialist with this level of trade experience and understanding.
In his 12 years of practice, Duncan has dealt with over 180 local authorities in England and Wales and has built highly productive relationships with many of the key people within those councils during that time.This level of collaboration frequently helps his clients successfully resolve regulatory issues associated with their businesses.
His diverse portfolio of clients comprises a wide range of operators in the licenced trade. Duncan has also acted for local authorities and Police Services across England and Wales.
Duncan additionally takes instructions in other regulatory matters, especially in relation to HMO legislation, food safety and closure orders.
Duncan is Deputy Head of St Philips’ Regulatory Group.
Details Of Practice
He is approved by the Bar Council under the Public Access scheme, and in suitable cases welcomes instructions directly from members of the public, companies or trade organisations. Most of Duncan’s instructions come via this route. He is also authorised by the Bar Council to conduct litigation. Please see the Public Access section of this website, or contact Chambers clerks, for further information.
Duncan is frequently instructed by his licensing clients in relation to other legal problems and issues that they encounter. These can range from small-claims matters to hearings in the High Court.
Licensing
Licensing Act 2003
Duncan has appeared before more than 100 local councils in licensing matters in various parts of the country, representing operators of licensed premises in relation to applications under the Licensing Act 2003. He has extensive experience in cases involving grant applications, applications to vary licences, reviews and expedited reviews, plus preliminary hearings and appeals in the Magistrates’ Courts. Duncan’s background means he is readily able to grasp the issues and devise workable solutions: if possible, his preparation for any hearing will include a visit to the premises.
Previous cases have included
- Review application for Dudley convenience store where a sale to a minor had taken place; licence preserved with further conditions.
- Acted for Burton pub where Staffordshire Police had objected to two TEN applications; following submissions, TEN objections were rejected on the basis of a failure by Staffordshire Police to comply with the legislative requirements.
- Review application hearing against Burton late night premises brought by Staffordshire Police; no steps taken against licence.
- Acted for Enfield convenience store in relation to challenging surrender of licence; following written submissions to local authority, surrender of licence was withdrawn as a live issue.
- Acted for Andover late night refreshment venue where Hampshire Police were objecting to removal of conditions; following discussions with police, agreement reached between parties before the hearing.
- Acted for two members of the public in them bringing a review against a pub in Worcester on the grounds of crime and disorder; following hearing, DPS removed and further conditions were imposed on the licence.
- Acted for pub in Builth Wells which had complaints relating to noise during the Royal Welsh Show; reached agreement with local residents and environmental health before hearing.
- Acted for local residents seeking to curtail opening hours on new £1 million premises in Harrogate; following hearing, hours were curtailed, and conditions imposed on the licence.
- Instructed by Grantham restaurant in review proceedings brought by Lincolnshire Police in relation to illegal immigrants working in the restaurant; review hearing resulted in preservation of the licence with no additional conditions.
- Acted for Forest of Dean pub in review proceedings; no action taken against the premises at review hearing.
- Represented a Stoke-on-Trent off-licence in shop where premises licence had recently been revoked for selling illicit alcohol; licence granted following hearing.
- Acted for East London convenience store following revocation of premises licence for seizure of illicit tobacco and alcohol described by local authority as the “worst on record”; appeal settled, and licence preserved.
- Represented long-established Birmingham late night entertainment and function venue following revocation of licence for public nuisance; following a four-day appeal hearing, appeal allowed.
- Revocation of South London off-licence following numerous sales of alcohol to minors; appeal settled, and licence preserved.
- Revocation of East London off-licence following discovery of large quantity of illicit tobacco and spirits; appeal settled, and licence preserved.
- Represented West Midlands off-licence in their appeal, where allegations of sexual assault against the DPS led to a review and revocation of the licence; appeal settled, and licence preserved.
- Appeal in relation to Grantham restaurant following review by Lincolnshire Police who withdrew their appeal following submission of my skeleton argument.
- Instructed by Nantwich late night refreshment premises in appeal against refusal to extend licensable hours; appeal allowed, and costs awarded.
- Instructed by Leicester pub in revocation appeal; appeal settled.
- Acted for Stoke-on-Trent premises licence holder at appeal against refusal to transfer premises licence into his name; appeal allowed, and costs awarded.
Taxi Licensing
Duncan has represented hackney carriage and private hire drivers and operators in appeals at Magistrates’ and Crown Courts throughout England and Wales as well as in relation to criminal proceedings against taxi drivers and private hire operators, especially in relation to plying for hire prosecutions. Duncan has a very high success rate in contested taxi appeals.
- Birmingham phv driver whose licence had been revoked following allegations of improper conduct towards a 17-year-old female; appeal allowed at crown court and costs awarded.
- Coventry hackney carriage driver whose licence had been revoked following several breaches; appeal settled, and licence preserved.
- Worcester dual licence driver charged with failing to report an accident; case dismissed at half time.
- Newcastle under Lyme taxi driver charged with plying for hire; acquitted and costs awarded.
- Newcastle under Lyme driver whose licence was revoked following allegations of grooming; appeal allowed.
- Stoke-on-Trent hackney carriage driver charged with plying for hire; acquitted and costs awarded.
- Bolton driver who licence was revoked following various breaches of the terms of his licence; appeal allowed.
- Coventry hackney carriage driver whose licence had been suspended following several breaches; appeal settled, and licence preserved.
- Birmingham phv driver charged with plying for hire; acquitted and costs awarded.
- Burney driver whose licence was revoked following allegations of poor driving; appeal allowed at crown court.
- Coventry hackney carriage driver whose licence had been revoked following several complaints from passenger; appeal allowed.
- Stoke-on-Trent applicant for phv licence whose application was refused due to historic rape allegation; appeal allowed at crown court.
- Oldham dual driver whose licence had been revoked following allegations of poor driving; following legal arguments appeal settled at court.
- Shropshire driver whose licence had been revoked following finding the he misled traffic commissioner and breaches his licence; appeal allowed.
- Stoke-on-Trent driver with argument around costs following successful appeal; costs figure agreed with council before earing.
- Stoke-on-Trent driver whose licence was revoked following allegation of violent disorder; appeal allowed at crown court with award of costs.
Birmingham phv driver whose licence was suspended following several breaches; appeal allowed.
Regulatory
Duncan has a good working knowledge of regulatory matters especially Health and Safety, Food Standards and Trading Standards. He has practical experience in writing, implementing, reviewing and updating risk assessments related to those fields, and can call upon his trade experience of dealing with Environmental Health Officers and Local Authorities in various parts of the country.
Previous cases have included
- Instructed by Bolton taxi operator in appeal to planning inspectorate in relation to change of use at premises; appeal allowed.
- Represented Manchester off-licence in contractual dispute with franchise company on the grounds of misrepresentation; settlement reached via mediation.
- Represented Birmingham private hire operator in defending a claim against provider of telephone system to their base; claimant’s appeal struck out with costs awarded to the claimant.
- Represented Birmingham nightclub in health and safety prosecution following member of staff falling off the roof.
- Represented Salford convenience store in dispute with Post Office; settlement reached via mediation.
Testimonials
“Duncan is an experienced licensing barrister, who connects with clients easily, understanding their position and needs.” Chambers & Partners 2025
“Duncan Craig is an excellent and very capable barrister.” Chambers & Partners 2025
“Duncan’s experience in the licensed trade prior to becoming a barrister is unique and sets him apart. His practical knowledge as well as his legal knowledge and advocacy skills mean he is one of a kind. Clients rely on his knowledge and connections. He is at the top of the game.” Legal 500 2025
