Barrister who saved Fabric nightclub tasked with boosting capital’s night-time economy
Human rights lawyer and London mayor Sadiq Khan has appointed yet another lawyer to the top of the capital’s political food chain.
Labour politician Khan has revealed that Philip Kolvin QC will chair his Night Time Commission. Kolvin will work alongside newly appointed night tsar Amy Lamé 1.25 days a week (65 days a year) to help boost the capital’s night-time economy. In return, he will earn a £17,500 salary.
So what do we know about Kolvin? The licensing law silk is the head of London-based public law set Cornerstone Barristers, which also has offices in Birmingham and Cardiff. In the wake of the Brexit vote, Kolvin’s name was bandied around the newspapers when he penned a controversial letter to the Prime Minister urging that Article 50 is not invoked without primary legislation. The letter was co-signed by “1,053 others”.
Kolvin is perhaps best known for representing lap-dancing chain Spearmint Rhino and recently lending his hand to help Fabric nightclub reopen. According to Khan, Kolvin’s:
[E]xpert knowledge in the field of licensing, regulation and policy will be crucial in ensuring that our live music venues and nightclubs are protected from closure and that they are recognised as a distinctive part of our cultural heritage.
This isn’t the first time Khan has appointed a fellow lawyer to the capital’s top political ranks. In September, Legal Cheek reported that Matrix Chambers’ Matthew Ryder QC (pictured below with Khan) had nabbed a deputy mayor post.
Ryder has been tasked with ensuring social integration, social mobility and community engagement in London.