Latest News

  • Relocation of our firm
    Our Randwick and City offices have combined and are now conveniently located at 156 Edgecliff Road, Woollahra.

  • New mailing address
    Our firm no longer uses the document exchange service nor do we have a post office box at Randwick.  Please address all future correspondence to Level 1, 156 Edgecliff Road, Woollahra NSW  2025.

Community Feedback

If you wish further information or to leave feedback on a current liquor proposal please click on our Current Projects page.

Helpful Links

BSV has created a list of related resources that could be of benefit to you. View resources.

Liquor and Gaming Solutions

Experience shows engaging an adviser who has a detailed understanding and knowledge of the inner workings of the Liquor Act is a distinct advantage to applicants as the process is completed more quickly and less expensively, compared with someone who does not have the equivalent experience or expert knowledge. Our team of professionals are highly trained, motivated and approachable and can provide comprehensive cost effective solutions to meet your needs. Click on the area of interest to you below for further information.

Community Impact Statements

A Community Impact Statement (CIS), replacing the old social impact assessment test, is required to be lodged with the Casino, Liquor & Gaming Control Authority (the Authority) in the majority of liquor licence applications and licence related authorisations and is designed so that the Authority can consider the likely impact and gauge the level of community support for an application.

Restaurant, Entertainment Venues and Caterers

An on-premises licence enables liquor to be sold with or ancillary to another product or service that is sold, supplied or provided to people on the premises. An on-premises licence can be used for a variety of purposes including accommodation, vessel trading, catering services (both on and off site) or as a public entertainment venue (such as those premises previously known as nightclub licences). It can also be tailored to suit a multi-purpose business and it is even possible for liquor to be served to patrons without a meal in a restaurant (which requires the approval of a primary service authorisation). The primary purpose of an on-premises licence cannot be the sale or supply of alcohol, whether or not a primary service authorisation is held. Where a primary service authorisation is held, the product or service that is usually provided to customers on those premises must still be available. We can assist you with:-

  • New grant Applications
  • Primary Service Authorisations
  • Sale On Other Premises Authorisations
  • Changes to the mandatory 6-hour closure period
  • Extended Trading Authorisations
  • Community Impact Statements
  • Transfers of existing liquor licenses
  • Change of licensed area
  • Minors Function Authority (on-premises consumption with entertainment)
  • Revocation/variation of conditions
  • Disputes, complaints, noise or disciplinary issues

TOP

Hotel or Bar Operators

Where it is proposed to sell liquor in a hotel, bar or tavern atmosphere the most appropriate liquor license is a hotel licence or a general bar hotel licence. A general bar licence is a limited type of hotel licence suited to venues that wish to operate a bar but do not want to operate gaming machines or offer takeaway liquor sales. A general bar licence will permit a venue to operate dining facilities, accommodation and public entertainment. We can assist you with:-

  • New grant or removal Applications
  • Changes to the mandatory 6-hour closure period
  • Extended Trading Authorisations
  • Community Impact Statements
  • Transfers of existing liquor licences
  • Change of licensed area
  • Minors Area Authorisations
  • Residents Bar Applications
  • Gaming matters or issues
  • Lease, purchase or sale of assets
  • Disputes, complaints, noise or disciplinary issues
  • Compliance
  • Function Authorities
  • Minors Functions
  • Revocation/variation of conditions
  • Temporary premises

Bottleshop Operators

Where it is proposed to sell take away liquor through either a bottleshop or through a home delivery, mail order or the internet, the most appropriate liquor license is a packaged liquor licence. A packaged liquor licence permits the sale or supply of packaged liquor to the public for consumption off the licensed premises. Tastings are permitted to be conducted on the licensed premises with or without charge. We can assist you with:-

  • New grant or removal Applications
  • Internet liquor licences
  • Community Impact Statements
  • Changes to the mandatory 6-hour closure period
  • Extended Trading Authorisations
  • Compliance concerns
  • Temporary premises
  • Change of licensed area
  • Revocation/variation of conditions of licences
  • Lease, purchase or sale of assets
  • Disputes, complaints, noise or disciplinary issues

    TOP

Complaint, Noise and Disciplinary Matters

We provide specialist legal advice and assistance in relation to complaint, noise and disciplinary matters. Our firm has acted for many licensees in the past in response to Applications by the Police, Director of Liquor and Gaming or the Authority to impose conditions upon a liquor licence. In those actions we have successfully negotiated a satisfactory end to the matters for our clients.

Club Operators

The most appropriate liquor license for a registered club selling liquor to members and guests is a Club Licence. We can assist you with:-

  • New grant Applications
  • Community Impact Statements
  • Changes to the mandatory 6-hour closure period
  • Applications to increase membership
  • Change of licensed areas
  • Non-restricted areas
  • Club Functions
  • Junior Members
  • Amalgamations of registered clubs
  • Change of secretary/manager
  • Gaming matters or issues
  • Disputes, complaints, noise or disciplinary issues
  • Compliance
  • Sale/disposal of land
  • Annual reports
  • The keeping of registers
  • Constitutions or Constitutional advice
  • Industrial relations issues
  • Agreements relating to sub-contractors
  • Workers compensation and public liability
  • The law of meetings and the passing of resolutions
  • Keno operations and the Franchising Code of Conduct
  • Expulsion and suspension of Members

    TOP

Producer/Wholesale Operators

Producer/wholesaler licences apply to wine producers, brewers, distillers, and wholesalers. The liquor license allows wholesalers to sell to other liquor licensees. For wine producers, the liquor license also allows tastings (with a charge if desired), cellar door sales, direct sales to the public at wine shows and farmers’ (producer) markets, and the operation of multiple premises in an area. Consumption on the premises as part of a restaurant, motel, vineyard event etc is permitted where a drink on-premises authorisation has been approved. For small scale regional brewers and distillers, the licence also allows tastings and retail sales in bottles at the licensed premises.

Limited Licence Operators

A limited licence allows the sale of liquor for consumption on designated licensed premises at a function or multiple functions. Limited liquor licenses allow liquor sales for consumption on the licensed premises at a function or multiple functions, a special event and a trade fair. Limited liquor licenses apply to sporting clubs that are non-profit organisation and community organisations, such as Councils or public authorities. In the case of trade fairs (such as wine or food shows), a limited licence can also allow take-away sales.

Advice to others in the legal industry

In addition to providing advice to clients, we often provide specialist advice to legal practitioners on a variety of liquor licensing, CIS and gaming issues. Due to our reputation of providing liquor licence and gaming solutions in a timely and cost effective manner, other legal firms and practitioners who do not specialise in such matters regularly seek our advice. Let us help your practice avoid undue delay, expense and frustration and obtain the best possible outcome for your client.

TOP

Due Diligence

We also provide specialist advice to legal practitioners, financiers, developers and others regarding the acquisition of licensed premises, liquor licenses and gaming entitlements. Such issues are often overlooked when purchasing these types of assets however it is probably the most critical. If proper checks and searches are not carried out operational issues may arise which can lead to disappointment, frustration and loss of earnings such as, for example when a dispute arises over the ownership of gaming devices. Without proper due diligence checks and searches you cannot be guaranteed you are receiving value for money or purchasing the relevant authorisations to satisfy your business activities.

Sale, Purchase Or Lease Of Licensed Premises

The sale, purchase or lease of any licensed premises raises a number of issues which must be carefully considered in the transaction so as to protect your interests and investment. These include:-

  • Transfer of liquor licenses
  • Determining which party holds the gaming machine rights where there is a sale of a hotel
  • Special conditions relevant to contracts for sale
  • Options
  • The value of the business and liquor license
  • Compliance issues
  • Whether a mortgagee needs to be taken into account and if so what consents are necessary
  • Impact of lease clauses
TOP