Two partners have left national law firm Pinsents to set up what they claim is the first specialist practice focused on the gambling industry in the UK.

John Hagan and Julian Harris launched the City-based practice, Harris Hagan, at the start of the month, with two consultants specialising in corporate and property work.

They will also be joined shortly by Marie Stevens, a commercial lawyer who is a former member of the Gaming Board for Great Britain.

The move comes as the government prepares to push forward with its draft Gambling Bill, which will relax the laws on gaming in the UK.

The Bill has just been examined by a parliamentary joint scrutiny committee, which recommended that it should be introduced as a matter of urgency.

Mr Harris said the proposed regime was expected to generate significant amounts of legal work.

He added: 'The Bill is a major liberalisation, although it is coupled with some areas where there will be stricter controls.

The current legislation is hopelessly out of date.'

The launch of Harris Hagan comes a week after high-profile franchising lawyer John Pratt announced his departure from Pinsents to set up a niche firm in Birmingham (see [2004] Gazette, 29 April, 7).

Philip Hoult