Our Drink Law Services

Contracts

The unintended consequences or poor contractual advice can be devastating for any business. With constantly changing legal regulations and the complexity of the supply chain, the drinks industry is no exception. Our job is to protect our clients in all scenarios and achieve the best contractual route for the ongoing success of their business.

Our service includes:

• Sale, purchase and exchange contracts for mature spirits, new whisky fillings, raw materials etc;
• Agency and Distribution Agreements;
• E-commerce Contracts/Terms and Conditions;
• Procurement, supply and installation of plant and equipment;
• Contracts with producers and intermediaries (wholesale);

Compliance and Regulation

Our long-standing industry experience ensures we can provide the latest up-to-date information on industry compliance and regulations to help make certain drinks brands are presented and marketed correctly in line with industry and legal standards.

Our service includes:

• Advice on the naming and labelling of alcohol products including compliance with general and specific regulations;
• Advice on product development including compliance aspects for branding/labelling;
• Advising on compliance and regulatory issues including detailed requirements of the ASA, SWA, Portman Code etc;

Intellectual Property

Protecting and promoting innovation and brand is another aspect vital to the success of many businesses in this sector. We'll help you follow the correct routes to make the best of and profit from your intellectual property.

Our service includes:

• Advising on IP protection and infringement issues;
• Trademark Licensing Agreements;
• Protection of brands;
• Brand Promotion Agreements e.g. appointment of ambassadors, influencers;

Transactional (M&A/Investment/Funding)

We can help you develop and secure your Drinks Industry business by steering you through the complex process of mergers and acquisitions or advising on other funding and investment routes.

Our service includes:

• Advising on the acquisition and sale of distilleries and bonded premises;
• Advising on purchase/sale of alcohol beverage stocks including taking security over stocks;
• Advising on fundraising in respect of new whisky distilleries and other alcohol beverage ventures including regulatory compliance;
• Share subscriptions etc agreements/arrangements for investors.

Property & Planning (New distilleries, breweries, bonded premises, etc.)

We have renowned expertise and a solid reputation in property planning and development within Scotland and the rest of the UK. Whether it's developing an existing production facility or breaking ground on a brand-new site, we'll help guide you through the complex process from start to finish.

Our service includes:

• Pre planning advice and advice on the planning application process and on conditions attaching to planning permission
• Preparation of Planning Agreements
• Planning Appeals
• Option Agreements and Site Acquisition including water rights
• Overage Agreements