Luke is a specialist licensing lawyer with a focus on alcohol and entertainment licensing. He advises a broad range of clients, from high-profile venues and restaurant groups to private members’ clubs, hotels, and individual operators.
Luke has significant experience of premises licence applications, particularly in cumulative impact areas, as well as reviews, closure notice and other regulatory matters. His client base includes some of the most recognisable names in hospitality and nightlife, including Ministry of Sound, JKS Restaurants, and The Arts Club.
Luke also advises private individuals, licensing authorities, responsible authorities, and one-off operators.
Luke Elford is great, professional and efficient.
Chambers & Partners 2025
Without Luke's skills we would not have had our licence application approved. He skilfully negotiated with a total understanding of what would be acceptable to all parties.
Client testimonial Chambers & Partners 2025
Luke Elford is superb. Tenacious and tireless in his pursuit of clients’ interests. Rolls up his sleeves and leaves no stone unturned.
Client testimonial The Legal 500 2025
Luke Elford is straight talking; he avoids jargon, he explains things in a down to earth, easy to understand way. He is always helpful and quick to respond to questions.
Client testimonial The Legal 500 2025
Expertise
- Alcohol and entertainment licensing
- Premises licence applications
- Premises licence reviews and summary reviews
- Closure notices
- Enforcement
- Sexual entertainment venue licensing
- Licensing training
- Licensing sub-committee hearings
Experience
Hotels, Hospitality & Leisure
- Advised private members’ clubs and workspaces such as One Warwick, Mortimer House, The Ministry, and The Arts Club.
- Obtained a new 3am premises licence in Westminster City Council’s West End Cumulative Impact Area.
- Advises the iconic Ministry of Sound on all licensing matters.
- Assisted Bloomberg in obtaining 27 provisional statements for its London headquarters.
- Helped a sexual entertainment venue operator challenge a summary review of its premises licence.
- Obtained new premises licences for Edyn Limited in respect of various Locke aparthotels.
- Representing JKS Restaurants (which owns restaurants and pubs including Gymkhana, Brigadiers, Trishna, BAO, and The Cadogan Arms).
- Assisted a licence holder in Camden faced with a summary review arising out of a gang-related incident.
- Appointed Night Time Industries Association Ambassador for London.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by Chambers 2025 as Up and Coming: Licensing
Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner for Licensing
Career
Luke qualified as a solicitor in 2012. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2025, he worked at the following firms:
- John Gaunt & Partners
- Woods Whur
- TLT