Robert Skinner is ranked Band 1 for Licensing in the latest edition of Chambers UK which describes him as ‘an outstanding advocate best known for his commercial and robust style of advocacy': "He's an excellent advocate. He's knowledgeable, and clients find him personable and pragmatic." (Chambers UK, 2022)
Previous editions have described him as "a consummate communicator who can distil complex licensing matters into concise written opinions and pleadings" (2019); "Excellent on his feet before licensing boards, sheriffs and higher tribunals" (2020); and "straightforward, very commercially aware and clients love him." (2021)
He is recognised as a leading Junior for Administrative and Public Law in the latest edition of Legal 500: "Robert is, without doubt, the most experienced member of the Scottish Bar practising in the field of alcohol and other forms of licensing. His understanding of the law is exceptional and he has featured in a substantial number of appeal cases leading to landmark judgements." (Legal 500, 2022)
Biography
Robert Skinner is one of Scotland’s most experienced and well known licensing counsel. In recent years he has represented most of the major supermarkets, public house chains, petrol station operators and casino operators, as well as a number of licensing boards. He frequently appears before licensing boards and committees and in the Sheriff Court and Court of Session. His experience includes liquor licensing, civic government licensing, security industries act licensing, firearms, betting and gaming, adult entertainment and the licensing of most other well known vices.
A frequent speaker at conferences, he is a member of the Law Society of Scotland Licensing Sub Committee and a consultant editor of Scottish Licensing Law and Practice. He was described in the Legal 500 Directory as a “stand out “figure for licensing with a “really impressive track record”.
Although best known for his work in the field of licensing, Robert practices in numerous other fields. He was a partner in a well known commercial law firm, and has experience in a wide range of commercial and administrative law work, including contract law, judicial review and land law. He also has substantial experience in professional negligence cases and reparation work. For many years he has acted as duty lawyer for a leading national newspaper and has an interest in defamation and media law. He is keen to develop his expertise in the field of tax, driven partially by his desire to pay less of it.
Robert has a keen interest in sport, mainly football, golf, rugby and boxing. He is a beer snob. To the astonishment of many who know him as a cultureless oaf, he has a love of opera and has attended various operatic performances both in this country and on the continent. He is very approachable and while he works extremely hard on his case load, he enjoys not taking himself too seriously.
Appointments
- Consultant editor of Scottish Licensing Law and Practice
Memberships
- Member of the Law Society of Scotland Licensing Sub Committee
Publications
Robert has published articles in the SLT and in SLLP on various aspects of licensing law.
Articles & Commentary
Recent Cases
- NATL (UK) Amusements Ltd - an appeal against the refusal to allow a variation of a licence to a cinema to allow alcohol to be taken into screening rooms
- Martin McColl Ltd v South Lanarkshire Licensing Board - an appeal regarding whether there was a proper legal basis for the refusal of an off sales premises licence for a convenience store
- Booker Ltd & Makro Wholesales Ltd - the impact of the Minimum Unit Pricing legislation on trade sale for wholesale traders
- McKeand v Dundee City Council - the enforceability of conditions requiring installation of electrical safety system within HMO properties
- Wiseman v Aberdeen City Council - the rationality of revoking a licence for an HMO following a criminal conviction under trading standards legislation
- McDonalds Restaurants Ltd - the renewal of a late night catering licence for a restaurant for police objections based on numerous complaints of nuisance
- Brightcrew Ltd v City of Glasgow Licensing Board - 2012 SLT - extent of jurisdiction of licensing board
- Ritchie v Aberdeen City Council 2011 SLT - taxi licences - adequacy of reason
- Mitchells and Butler Ltd v Dundee Licensing Board - legality of licensing promotion
- Glasgow City Council v Kelly 2011 - Traffic Commissioner- legitimacy of challenge to taxi fares fixed by Council
- Reid v Equiworld 2011 GWD - reparation - duty of care owed by equestrian establishment
- D Petitioner - 2011 SLT judicial review; competency of mode of challenge of refusal to grant legal aid.
- Drinkcafe ltd v City of Glasgow 2011 SLT - legitimacy of licensing conditions
- Tesco Stores Ltd v Falkirk Licensing Board 2010 GWD - interpretation of stated case procedure
- Tesco Stores ltd v Aberdeen Licensing Board 2010 GWD - interpretation of overprovision section
- William Morrison Supermarkets PLC v South Aberdeenshire PLC 2010 SLLP Judicial review justiciability of licensing board practice
- WWCM Ltd v Renfrewshire Licensing Board 2011 SLLP - variation of premises licence.
- Kell (Scotland) Ltd v Glasgow Licensing Board 2010 SLT - licensing conditions
- ROC UK Ltd v City of Edinburgh Licensing Board 2010 SLT - licensing of Petrol stations
- Co-operative Group Ltd v Aberdeen Licensing Board 2009 GWD - licensing of petrol station
- Tesco plc & Morrisons plc - review hearing on objectors challenge on drinks promotion
- Ormsby v Chief Constable 2008 SCCR - reparation - duty of care owed by Chief constable to police officers
- Killen v Dundee City Council 2008 SLT -licensing of HMO premises
- Alldays stores Ltd v Central Fife Divisional 2007 GWD - licensing - fit and proper person test
- BP Express Shopping Ltd v Perth & Kinross Licensing Board 2005 SLT - licensing of petrol stations
- Haddow v Glasgow City Council 2005 SLT Reparation - employers' liability
- Chief Constable, Lothian and Borders v Lothian and Borders Police Board 2005 SLT - judicial review of decision of Police Appeals Tribunals
- Davis v Renfrewshire Council 2005 SC - licensing of taxi cabs
- Robson v Law Society of Scotland 2005 SC - Appeal - ECHR compliance of Solicitors Discipline Tribunal
- Malik v Ali 2004 SLT - illegality of performance of contract
- WRG Trading Ltd v Ali 2003 SLT Judicial review of decision on regular extension
- Harrison's Executors v Student Loans Company Ltd - wrongful dismissal of Chief Executive
- Newman Shopfitters v Gleeson 2003 SLT - delay in prosecution of arbitration