Practice Profile

A regulatory specialist in the fields of environmental and consumer protection law, health and safety and licensing Kevin de Haan is recommended as a leading Silk in four practice areas by The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners who cite his "persuasive and agreeable" approach and "top drawer presentation skills"

"... combines an excellent brain, very good knowledge of case law with an aptitude for complicated issues."

"... a lateral thinker able to come up with innovative solutions to clients' problems."

".... Perhaps one of the best in the World for online gambling matters".

Kevin honed his forensic skills as a criminal trial lawyer in the early days, from which his current regulatory practice developed. He is highly experienced in all types of proceedings in his areas of expertise.

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Kevin is highly experienced in the planning, licensing and European law aspects of waste management with particular emphasis on 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 recently acted for Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in its successful appeal against a statutory nuisance abatement notice issued by Waverley Borough Council.

HEALTH AND SAFETY LAW

Kevin is regularly instructed in fatal accident cases and has particular expertise in accidents involving toxic and hazardous waste, explosive and flammable substances.

CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW

Kevin deals with all aspects of consumer protection regulation both at National and European Level. He is currently highly active advising UK and European Broadcasters on issues arising out of the use of premium rate telephone lines and the new Teleshopping Regulations. He has considerable experience in product safety matters, in particular pharmaceutical products.

GAMBLING AND E-COMMERCE REGULATIONS
An internationally acknowledged expert in all aspects of e-commerce regulation Kevin de Haan 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 newly enacted Gibraltar Gambling Ordinance and advised on regulatory aspects arising from the floatation offshore online gambling operators on the London stock markets. 

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

On the land based side, he is retained in most of the casino applications left under the Gaming Act 1968 and successfully appeared for Stanley Leisure in the recent judicial review proceedings launched by the Noble Organisation seeking clarification of the status of the demand test under that Act.

Qualifications and Appointments

• Recorder - 2002
• Bencher of the Inner Temple - 1998
• 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