Hospitality Ulster and Mills Selig Launch Exclusive Legal Clinics for Hospitality Sector

Running a hospitality business brings constant operational demands, but the legal issues underpinning those operations can be equally significant. From managing employees and safeguarding licensed premises to negotiating supplier contracts and planning for succession, decisions made today can directly affect a business’s resilience, profitability and future.

To help operators navigate these challenges with confidence, Hospitality Ulster and Mills Selig are hosting a series of exclusive Legal Clinics across Northern Ireland. The sessions will give Hospitality Ulster members direct access to four of Mills Selig’s specialist lawyers, providing an opportunity not only to hear practical, commercially focused guidance on key legal issues affecting hospitality businesses, but also to discuss their own specific questions and challenges directly with legal experts. This unique format is designed to give operators valuable insights they can apply immediately within their businesses.

1. Preparing for Statutory Sick Pay Changes

For hospitality businesses managing busy rotas, seasonal demand and changing staffing requirements, understanding how employment law developments affect everyday procedures is essential. Changes to Statutory Sick Pay can have practical implications for workforce planning, payroll processes and the management of employee absences.

Kiera Lee, Partner and Head of Employment at Mills Selig, will examine the 2026 Statutory Sick Pay changes, explaining what has changed and what the reforms mean for hospitality employers.

2. Ensuring Plans Match Licensing Premises

With the major licensing renewals taking place in 2027, hospitality operators should act now to ensure that their licensing plans accurately reflect the current physical layout of their premises. Alterations made over time may have created discrepancies, potentially leading to avoidable complications, delays or operational disruption during the renewal process.

Maeve Fisher, Partner and Head of Licensing at Mills Selig, will guide attendees through the steps required to review their licensed plans, identify potential issues and address discrepancies ahead of the 2027 renewals.

3. Strengthening Commercial Agreements

The contracts entered into by hospitality businesses can have a considerable impact on operational costs, flexibility and commercial risk. Supplier terms, software licences and service agreements may contain unclear obligations, restrictive provisions, automatic renewals or unnecessary costs that quietly erode profitability.

Aisling O’Hare, Partner and specialist in Information Technology and Intellectual Property at Mills Selig, will take a practical look at the agreement’s hospitality businesses rely upon every day.

4. Protecting Business and Family Wealth

A hospitality business often represents years of hard work, investment and family commitment. Without appropriate planning, inheritance tax liabilities, incapacity or uncertainty around succession can place significant pressure on the business, its employees and the owner’s family.

Fiona McFall, Partner and Head of Private Client at Mills Selig, will explore how business owners can protect what they have built through effective inheritance tax, estate and succession planning.

Event Details

All clinics begin at 10.00am:

• Belfast: Wednesday 23 September 2026, Mills Selig office, Belfast city centre
• Derry/Londonderry: Wednesday 30 September 2026, Best Western Hotel Londonderry
• Enniskillen: Tuesday 6 October 2026, Enniskillen Hotel

Each session will conclude with a Q&A and networking. Whether facing immediate challenges or planning for future growth, attendees will have the opportunity to gain practical guidance from Mills Selig’s legal experts.

Places are limited. Hospitality businesses are encouraged to register early by contacting kerri.mccartney@hospitalityulster.org