Malcolm has extensive experience in the licensing field, and recently made headlines when he successfully represented Daniel Thwaites in the first case of its kind to make it to the High Court under the Licensing Act 2003.

The case involved the judicial review of a decision made by magistrates to cut opening hours at a Wirral pub. The decision set a precedent on fundamental issues under the Act and was eagerly awaited by the licensed trade and the legal profession.

Malcolm’s promotion to head of licensing is in part due to his groundbreaking work on the judicial review, and also his hard work within the firm over recent years.

As head of the department, which counts micro-brewers, hotel groups and numerous bars and restaurants, as well as Lancashire brewers Daniel Thwaites, among its clients, Malcolm will be tasked with moving the department forward.

The 26-year-old studied law at the University of Central Lancashire, also obtaining a postgraduate diploma at the same university. He joined Roscoes as a trainee solicitor, and subsequently Napthens following the merger of the two practices in 2006.

Malcolm said: “I am very proud that Napthens has entrusted the licensing department to me. We have a real depth of knowledge of the licensing industry and I am keen to build on the foundations already established and move the department forward in a complicated field which is constantly changing.

“With new regulations and rules appearing regularly, it is vital for those in the licensing industry to have advice from experienced experts.”

Ian Leigh, Napthens’ chief executive, added: “Malcolm is a talented member of our team and I have no doubt he will bring a lot to his new role as head of licensing.”