Gary Pons

Gary Pons is an experienced licensing and criminal law barrister. He appears for both licensees and licensing authorities in magistrates' court appeals, sits as an adviser to Licensing Sub-Committees, and is regularly instructed to draft written representations for sub-committee hearings. He has practical experience across alcohol, taxi and firearms licensing.

Ranked in Chambers and Partners as a leader in criminal law at the London Bar, Gary began his career almost exclusively in crime, working as an employed barrister in a busy solicitors' firm, and his practice has since broadened into licensing and related regulatory areas as well as asset forfeiture and extradition. He also acts in international cases, recently joining the defence team that successfully represented a client in her third murder trial in Costa Rica.

My approach

Gary will speak to prospective clients by telephone without charge to understand the case, and provides clear, understandable advice. He is approachable, prepares thoroughly, and offers a reasonable fixed fee based on the work required.

Notable cases

• Regina v P (Ipswich Crown Court), represented a defendant charged with "road rage" dangerous driving; sentenced to a fine.
• R v S (Uxbridge Magistrates' Court), successfully argued exceptional hardship for a defendant who would otherwise have reached 12 points.
• LB Lambeth and NHB, agreed conditions with the licensing authority on a premises review arising from the sale of illegal cigarettes, allowing the licensee to keep the licence.

Professional & academic

• BA English and Spanish Law, University of Kent; Diploma in Spanish Law, Complutense University, Madrid; Bar Vocational Course
• Member: Gray's Inn; Criminal Bar Association; South Eastern Circuit; Fraud Lawyers Association