Public Law & Regulatory

Louis Weston is an experienced advocate and advisor in Regulatory and Sports practice before Tribunals and the Courts.

He is recognised in the 2010 Chambers and Partners as having expertise in Sports Law:“Market sources commended his strong practice advising and advocating on sports regulatory matters, especially in horseracing.” He has particular expertise in horse racing regulation and licensing and both acts for and before the British Horseracing Authority (once the Jockey Club).

He prosecutes for the General Medical Council and has prosecuted before the Hearing Aid Council, and has defended before the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

He prosecutes cases for the Gloucestershire Trading Standards and has defended in a case of trademark infringement before the criminal courts, and defends on all aspect of regulatory crime from breach of Health and Safety regulations Environmental Protection Law, Planning Law and Food Act cases before the criminal and coroners courts.

He regularly prosecutes on costs issues for the Legal Services Commission in the Crown Court, Court of Appeal and Judicial Review in the High Court.

Recent cases

BHA Prosecution

Hits Only Money – Insider Dealing conspiracy allegations against Dean McKeown, Paul Blockley and others.
Golden Surprice – Insider dealing conspiracy allegations against Italian owner and trainer.
Aleemdar and Mia’s Boy – Running and Riding offences.

BHA Defending

Sir Mark Prescott and Seb Sanders – Successful appeal on Running and Riding allegations
Ralph Beckett – Successful Appeal on penalty for breach of substance regulations
Milton Harris – Licence Application.
Red Lancer – Pat McCabe – insider dealing allegations.
Dean Williams – insider-dealing allegations.
Evan Williams – trainer not complying with instructions.

He was the junior for the BHA in the successful defence against a challenge in the High Court brought by Dean McKeown. The case is reported as McKeown v BHA [2010] EWHC 508 (Admin).

Health and Safety

Recent cases include fatal accidents in scaffolding collapse and a marble factory, serious injury in accidents at work and illegal tipping planning, food poisoning and tree cases.

For the LSC

R v Abu Hamza (in excess of £1 million)
R v Terry Adams – Judicial Review proceedings in respect of orders made in excess of £4M.
R v Basch and Katz (in excess of £0.75 million in Crown Court and on Judicial Review)
R v Strachan – Claim for costs against the “Royal Blackmailer”
R v Cushnie – Claim for costs arising from the Versaille Fraud.

He has lectured to GMC, the LSC and others on the Gambling Act 2005, disclosure and the RDCO regime.