Kevin de Haan KC

Kevin deals with all aspects of consumer law including consumer credit both at national and European Level. He has considerable experience in e-commerce related matters and product safety matters, in particular medicinal and pharmaceutical products. He acted for Purely Creative Limited in proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Communities. This was a landmark case concerning the scope of the banned practices contained in Annex 1 of the Unfair Consumer Practices Directive. He has advised the US manufacturers of the Segway personal transport in their efforts to clarify the position concerning its use on public roads in the UK and other EU jurisdictions.

He regularly advises undertakings and institutions established both in the UK and other EEA jurisdictions on the impact of EU consumer legislation on their operations.

Notable Cases

• Purely Creative Ltd & Ors v The Office of Fair Trading [2011] EWCA Civ 920 [2011] EWCA Civ 920; [2012] 1 CMLR 21: Unfair Commercial Practices Directive; interpretation of Annex 1; use of premium rate lines in prize promotions.

Kevin has particular expertise and experience in the field of payment solutions. He recently acted for JetPay, a major US payment service provider in its successful application to the FCA for an e-money authorisation. He has advised Worldpay and other notable PSPs on various aspects of their operations

He advises extensively on virtual crypto currencies and blockchain technology in the spheres of both online gambling and FinTech.
He recently advised a major gambling trade association on the impact of the Fourth EU anti-money laundering directive on its members’ operations.

As an internationally acknowledged expert in all aspects of e-commerce regulation, Kevin has been closely involved in the development of the online gambling industry since its inception in the 1990s to the present day, having advised most of the major (and many of the smaller) operators at some stage. He drafted the Gibraltar Gambling Act and advised on regulatory aspects arising from the flotation of online gambling operators on the London stock markets.

A consulting editor of Smith and Monckom on the ‘Law of Betting, Gaming and Lotteries’, he is an expert on the law relating to all types of gambling, both land-based, remote, national and European.

He has long and extensive experience of advocacy before the Gambling Commission, local authorities, appellate tribunals of all descriptions, judicial reviews and proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union.

His practice in this area has a strong international dimension. He is currently advising a number of operators both in the UK and abroad on the potential impact of their operations in European, Far Eastern, Middle Eastern and American jurisdictions.

Since some form of gambling is now offered by many television operators, broadcasting is a substantial practice area for Kevin who advises on all aspects including European regulation.

On the land based side, he was retained by Stanley Leisure (later Genting) in the spate of applications for casino licences under the Gaming Act 1968 during the transitional period prior to the coming into force of the new legislation. He also acted for Genting in their applications for Large Casinos under the Gambling Act 2005.

Kevin is also highly experienced in all aspects of gambling taxation.

Notable Cases

• Purely Creative Ltd & Ors v The Office of Fair Trading [2011] EWCA Civ 920 [2011] EWCA Civ 920; [2012] 1 CMLR 21: Unfair Commercial Practices Directive; interpretation of Annex 1; use of premium rate lines in prize promotions;
• R (on the Application of TC Projects Limited) v Newcastle Justices [2006] EWHC 1018 (Admin): casino licensing; whether failure to comply with procedural requirement automatically invalidates application for licence.

Kevin has over 25 years experience in liquor and public entertainment licensing having advised and represented many of the major brewery, pub, bar and nightclub operators including Regent Inns, Wetherspoons, Luminar, Academy, Chorion etc together with major retailers including Sainsburys, Asda, Tesco, Lidl, Morrisons, etc.

He has particular experience in appellate proceedings and judicial reviews involving complex policy issues.

Notable Cases

• Harpers Leisure International Ltd, R (on the application of) v Chief Constable of Surrey & Anor [2009] EWHC 2160 (Admin) (13 July 2009): public law – extent of jurisdiction of licensing authority to stay review proceedings on grounds of abuse of process;
• Luminar Leisure Ltd v Wakefield Magistrates’ Court, Brooke Leisure Limited, Classic Properties Limited, Wakefield Metropolitan District Council [2008] EWHC 1002 (Admin): extent of appellate tribunal’s discretion in ”cumulative impact” policy cases; relevance of crime and disorder taking place away from the licensed premises under consideration;
• R (on the Application of TC Projects Limited) v Newcastle Justices [2006] EWHC 1018 (Admin): casino licensing; whether failure to comply with procedural requirement automatically invalidates application for licence;
• Westminster City Council, R (on the application of) v Middlesex Crown Court & Anor [2002] EWHC 1104 (Admin): public entertainment licensing; principles to be applied when interpreting local policy; weight to be attached to policy when taking licensing decisions;
• R v Stafford Crown Court ex parte Wilf Gilbert (Staffs) Limited [1999] EWHC Admin 167: costs in licensing cases; no rule that costs follow the event – position more akin to planning.

Kevin is highly experienced in the planning, licensing and European law aspects of waste management with particular emphasis on administrative and criminal enforcement.

He has been a licensed pilot for over 25 years and has developed considerable experience and expertise in the environmental and health and safety aspects of aircraft operation. He acted for Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in its successful appeal against a statutory nuisance abatement notice issued by Waverley Borough Council.

Kevin is frequently instructed in fatal accident cases particularly those involving toxic and hazardous waste, explosive and flammable substances.

He also has long experience of health and safety issues affecting the leisure and tourist industries.

Notable Cases

• R v Crown Court at Snaresbrook, ex parte Input Management Ltd [1999] All ER (D) 223; (1999) 162 JP 533: public law; requirement to give reasons for decision; reasons given long after decision inadequate due to risk of ex post facto rationalisation;
• R v Boal (Francis) [1992] 3 All ER 177: company director, manager or officer only liable for regulatory breaches committed by the company if responsible for deciding corporate policy and strategy.

Chambers & Partners ranks Gough Square as Number 1 for Consumer Law

November 3, 2023

“He is extremely accessible and demystifies a complex and evolving area of law” “Experienced in a broad range of consumer law issues at national and European levels.” Legal 500, 2020 (Licensing and Consumer)

“Kevin is seriously good.” “You would be very happy to have him on your side.” “He holds an enviable reputation for his work advising big gaming companies.” “The depth of his knowledge and the skill of his arguments are both very impressive.” Chambers & Partners 2020 (Licensing and Consumer)

“Handles consumer law cases as part of a flourishing practice that also takes in health and safety, licensing and environment matters. He is an expert on enforcement and European legislation.” Chambers & Partners 2017 (Consumer)

“He has a wealth of knowledge concerning the gambling, alcohol and entertainment industries; he is a first-class lawyer.” “He has been steeped in the industry and his opinion is well thought of by authorities.” Chambers & Partners 2017 (Licensing)

“… perhaps one of the best in the world for online gambling matters.” Chambers and Partners

“… a lateral thinker able to come up with innovative solutions to clients’ problems.” Chambers and Partners

“… combines an excellent brain, very good knowledge of case law with an aptitude for complicated issues.” Chambers and Partners

Consulting Editor Smith and Monckom on the ‘Law of Betting, Gaming and Lotteries’

Member of the Editorial Board World Online Gambling Law Report

Member of the Planning and Environment Bar Association and the Bar European Group

• Recorder 2002
• Bencher of the Inner Temple 1998