LICENCE REVIEWS
Unlike the old system of renewable licences,
the Licensing Act and Gambling Act allow permanent licences to be issued. In order to permit a degree of control, the review process exists to allow responsible authorities and people living or working in the area to apply to the Council to have the licence reconsidered.
Preparing for a review should not be taken lightly. The process takes place in front of the Council's Licensing Sub-Committee, normally a panel of three elected councillors. These councillors have fairly wide ranging powers and can decide :
- To modify the conditions on the licence
- To remove the Designated Premises Supervisor
- To revoke the licence for up to three months
- To revoke the licence completely
It is important to gather as much evidence together as possible that deals with the points that have been raised in the review application. Our licensing solicitors can advise you on how to go about this process.
Normally, documentation has to be submitted in advance of the hearing so it is best to start work on it as soon as the notification of a review application has been received.
Having a specialist licensing solicitor on board from an early stage can make all of the difference. We can advise on what information needs to be gathered, who needs to appear at the hearing and we can also represent you in front of the committee.
If the review results in your licence being affected in any way, it is possible to appeal to the magistrates court who will consider the matter afresh, but this is a significant step and needs to be considered very carefully.
