Richard is a specialist in licensing and regulatory law, with over 30 years of experience representing leading brands and individuals across England and Wales.
He acts for pub companies, nightclub operators, national supermarkets, independent convenience stores, hoteliers, restaurateurs, local authorities, and police. Richard has been sole licensing lawyer to Co-operative Group Food for over 14 years and has also advised clients such as TGI Fridays, Hotel du Vin, Malmaison, Inn Collection Group, and Lane 7.
In regulatory matters, Richard advises and represents clients in investigations, compliance, and prosecutions. He has acted for both defence and enforcement bodies, including the DTI and SIA, and previously served as Deputy Force Solicitor at Northumbria Police. He is a skilled court advocate with particular experience in complex enforcement matters involving fire safety, environmental breaches, health and safety failings, food safety, firearms, and commercial fishing and agricultural enforcement proceedings.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much for the excellent job you did for us yesterday . I have no doubt your input made a massive difference in the outcome of the case... I will highly recommend you to anyone who asks about a solicitor for any related prosecutions.
Licensing client
Richard has always gone that little extra for us. He genuinely wants to help and get the best result possible.
Licensing Manager National Supermarket Operator
Richard Arnot is completely professional, very approachable and most certainly proactive in support of my business and its premises licences. His proactive approach has most certainly prevented costly reviews by his being ahead of the game approach. His fees are realistic and considering his success rate are in fact a financial saving when considering the negative impact that licencing changes could have on my business. He is ahead of the game.
Pub Estates & Operations Director of a regional brewer and pubco.
Expertise
- Licensing law
- Licence applications
- Licence variations
- Enforcement defence
- Regulatory prosecutions and investigations
- Health, safety and environment
- Firearms and commercial fishing
Experience
Licensing
- Advised a national supermarket operator in over 350 hearings throughout the country.
- Advising a national hotel operator with over 30 premises on all aspects of licensing law since the business began in 2013.
- Advised a nightclub owner in an appeal in Berwick which resulted in what is believed to be the largest costs order against a police force.
Regulatory Prosecutions and Investigations
- Represented a national security provider prosecuted for a breach of fire regulations relating to a significantly overcrowded nightclub in York.
- Represented a farming business in Cumbria prosecuted for 16 separate agricultural offences.
- Advised a residential landlord client in relation to several serious breaches of housing licensing legislation in Durham.
Health, Safety & Environment
- Advising a Germany-based anaerobic digestion plant operator in two separate prosecutions for environmental breaches.
- Represented the manager of a store operated by a national supermarket chain, at their invitation, in an investigation relating to a fatal accident at the premises.
- Advised one of the largest clay pigeon shooting grounds in the UK in relation to noise complaints and a subsequent local authority investigation.
Firearms & Commercial Fishing
- Advising various sporting and farming clients in relation to firearms licensing.
- Supporting commercial fishermen in Northumberland over many years in relation to investigations and prosecutions by the local Inshore Fisheries Conservation Agency.
- Represented a commercial fishing partnership in respect of an investigation by the Marine Management Organisation.
Hotels, Hospitality & Leisure
- Applied for and secured a Premises Licence for a new 254-bedroomed hotel in the City of London for a developer client.
- Advised a US-based client in respect of the licensing arrangements for their hotel in Northumberland further to significant unauthorised alterations to the premises.
- Represented a regional brewer and pubco. on multiple matters including acquisitions.
- Advising an ever-expanding competitive socialising sector client including applying for and obtaining over 20 new premises licences for them.
- Advised and represented in court a police force opposing the grant of a licence to a new Premiership Football stadium days before the inaugural match.
Retail
- Having obtained a Premises Licence in Cambridge’s Cumulative Impact Area for a national supermarket chain, successfully resisted an appeal lodged by a local councillor.
- Advised a frozen-food supermarket business in relation to a knife failed test purchase investigation.
- Advised a delivery driver employed by a supermarket business prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving.
- Prosecuting multiple shopkeepers for underage alcohol sales on behalf of Northumbria Police.
- Led a team that made over 10,000 individual licensing applications for a supermarket chain in a 2-year period.
Recognition
Recognised by The Legal 500 for Licensing: Leading Individual 2025
Recognised by The Legal 500: Hall of Fame for Licensing 2025
Ranked in Chambers UK for Licensing 2024
“Richard Arnot … has looked after our licensing affairs understands our business and licensing requirements to the fullest extent possible. Always available to give advice and even as a sounding board, his relationship skills are exceptional, and we would be happy to recommend him and the team to all.” The Legal 500 2025
“Richard Arnot is a seasoned professional in this area. Over 25 years , Richard and his various colleagues have yet to put a foot wrong. I enjoy his dialogue and value his opinion and approach.” The Legal 500 2025
“Richard Arnot is well-regarded by market sources who describe him as ‘a good advocate who is experienced within the industry’.” Chambers and Partners
“Richard Arnot is a licensing specialist noted for his ability to ‘explain difficult legislation in sound, clear language’. Clients comment that he ‘knows his stuff and stays up to date with changes’.” Chambers and Partners
“Richard has an intricate understanding of our organisation, astute and savvy approach and keenness to get a resolution that is fit for purpose.” Chambers and Partners
“The highly regarded Richard Arnot has substantial experience representing clients before licensing committees and in contested licencing applications” The Legal 500
“Richard is knowledgeable, great to work with and respected throughout the industry.” Chambers and Partners
Member of the Institute of Licensing
Career
Richard qualified as a solicitor in 1992. Before joining Keystone Law in 2025, he worked at the following firms:
- Ward Hadaway
- Watson Burton
- Dickinson Dees