Entertainment Law
We deliver clear, practical legal support to help you navigate complex media and entertainment legislation, ensuring compliance across multiple venues.
- Tailored advice delivered by experienced entertainment law solicitors
- Highly ranked by Legal 500 for our hospitality and leisure expertise
- Critical understanding of media and entertainment law in the UK
- 13 offices across the UK, from London to Glasgow
Experts in media and entertainment law in hospitality
Entertainment has become central to how hospitality venues attract guests, build atmosphere and encourage repeat business. But with that opportunity comes a complex regulatory landscape.
From securing the appropriate premises and music licences to managing compliance across a portfolio of sites, the entertainment law experts at Freeths can help you stay one step ahead. Our team provides clear, actionable advice that enables you to deliver standout customer experiences while avoiding unnecessary legal risk.
What our media and entertainment solicitors can help with
With Freeths, you get a valuable partner that understands the pressures you face in the hospitality industry. Whether you manage single- or multi-venue operations, we'll help protect your business, so you can focus on making the most of every guest experience.
We already support hospitality businesses with:
- Licensing and compliance
- Business planning
- Fire safety
- Brand protection
- Dispute resolution
- Regulatory enforcement
- Energy, waste and sustainability
- Legal support for pubs, bars, restaurants, breweries, hotels and more
"Putting on a live music night or showing live sports across multiple venues can turn into a maze of complex regulations and licensing requirements. But the right legal support ensures you're always compliant and protected. The experts at Freeths help hospitality businesses avoid costly fines and reputational risks. We'll help you maximise the impact of your entertainment offerings and minimise the legal risks associated with licensing, copyright and other key areas."
Lisa Gilligan
Partner & Leicester Office Managing Partner
Key contact
Lisa Gilligan
Leicester Office Managing Partner
Get in touch
Why choose Freeths over other hospitality and entertainment law firms?
- We're a full-service law firm with over 1,200 colleagues. Alongside our media and entertainment expertise, let us support with acquisitions, property matters, commercial contracts, employment or anything else you need in the hospitality space
- We've won several awards, including Law Firm of the Year at the City AM Awards 2025. The Legal 500 and Chambers UK Legal Guide have also given us top-level rankings, showcasing our exceptional reputation
- We're authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in England and Wales, as well as the Law Society of Scotland
FAQs on media and entertainment law in hospitality
If your hospitality business provides entertainment for an audience, you may need a licence under the Licensing Act 2003. The law regards certain types as "regulated entertainment", including:
- Music: live performances and DJs
- Performances: plays, dance shows and some indoor sporting events
- Films: screening films or any pre-recorded video content to the public
You don't need a licence for all of these forms of entertainment in a hospitality setting. Time and audience restrictions may dictate whether you need one or not and we can help navigate the law.
It's also important to note that licensing has nothing to do with media and copyright authorisation. For example, if you're showing a film or live sports broadcast on TV, you still need the appropriate commercial subscription and/or permission from the copyright owner.
Yes, a premises licence can cover all types of regulated entertainment in addition to the sale and supply of alcohol. But each premises licence authorises specific activities, not all automatically.
When applying for a premises licence, you must specifically list the "licensable activities" you want permission for, including any regulated entertainment. If you don't, your licence won't cover them.
Keep in mind that a premises licence doesn't cover the rights to use copyrighted media. You will need separate licences or permissions to use different types, such as music, TV, film and live sports broadcasts. This might come from the copyright owner themselves, or with a commercial broadcasting or subscription service.
Failing to secure the correct licences or permissions, or breaching the conditions of your premises licence, could have serious legal and financial consequences for your business.
Under the Licensing Act 2003, providing regulated entertainment without the proper authorisation is a criminal offence. You could face an unlimited fine and/or up to six months in prison.
Speak to our entertainment law solicitors today
Looking for entertainment law and media advice? Our specialist team is here to provide clear, actionable guidance tailored to the unique needs of your hospitality business.
Call us today and we'll connect you with approachable, knowledgeable media and entertainment solicitors who understand the pressures you face. Let us help you stay compliant, so you can focus on delivering exceptional experiences for your guests.
Our specialist team also focuses on:
Testimonials
MA
“Leo and his team at Freeths act for The Big Table Group. I have had a longstanding relationship with Leo including my present role as Director of...
Matt Ainger, Property Director
Big Table Group
MG
“Freeths LLP have been our long term legal partner providing expertise and professionalism in handling both our everyday needs as well as supportin...
Mark Grunnell, Co-founder and Chief Executive
Red Oak Taverns
KA
“I have worked with Leo since April 2021 and he has provided me with inciteful and commercial support which can only come from someone who understa...
Kamran Aziz, Managing Director
RedCat Pub Company
HS
"Peach Pubs grew through acquiring freeholds and leaseholds (both private and pubco) over 20 years. Freeths became part of our success in the la...
Hamish Stoddart, Co-founder
Peach Pub Company
PD
“Leo and all of the team at Freeths are undoubted leisure sector specialists and are both commercial and pragmatic in their advice. They are able...
Phil Derbyshire, Group Property Director
The Restaurant Group Plc
RM
“Partnering with Freeths has provided us with invaluable support for our property activities. Their expert guidance and seamless service have prove...
Richard Maslin, Property Director
The Liberation Group
JD
“We have worked with Freeths for well over a decade for matters concerning our wine business and wine bars and restaurants, and are consistently im...
James Davy, Chairman
Davy’s
GB
"I have worked with Freeths for over two decades, firstly as an advisor alongside them when acting for a client, and more recently as the principal...
Graeme Bunn, Property & Acquisitions Director
Red Oak Taverns
TD
“Leo and his team at Freeths act for BKUK Group Limited and have done so since the inception of the business in its current form in 2017. I have ha...
Tim Doubleday, CFO
BKUK Group Limited
NB
“Freeths has provided unrivalled legal advice to our portfolio businesses in the pubs sector for many years. Their team regularly goes above and be...
Noah Bulkin, Managing Partner
May Capital
JL
“I have used Freeths for many years now, both on property and transactional matters. There are many reasons that I have used them so much, but top...
John Leslie, Chairman
Oakman Inns
PM
"The Late-Night sector has had some particularly difficult trading conditions over the last year, which meant unfortunately we had to take on board...
Peter Marks, Chairman
Neos Hospitality
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Meet our team
Lisa Gilligan
Leicester Office Managing Partner
Contact us today
Whatever your legal needs, our wide ranging expertise is here to support you and your business, so let’s start your legal journey today and get you in touch with the right lawyer to get you started.
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