Breaking News: Policing and Crime Bill

The Policing and Crime Bill was introduced today, Part 7 of which relates to potential changes to the Licensing Act 2003.

In brief, proposed changes include:

• The ability for Licensing Authorities (and not just the Courts) to suspend or revoke personal licences;
• Adding certain convictions to the list of ‘relevant offences’;
• Amending the definition of alcohol to include powdered and vaporised alcohol;
• Removing the requirement for Guidance to be laid before Parliament when it is updated (currently it is subject to the negative resolution procedure every time it is updated);
• Removing legal ambiguity in the procedure for summary reviews.

The latter proposal is perhaps the most interesting bearing in mind current arguments as to whether interim steps for summary reviews continue during any appeal period. The proposed amendment to the Licensing Act 2003 will require the Licensing Authority to determine at the review hearing what interim steps should be in place pending the outcome of any appeal (or the expiry of the time limit for making an appeal) with licensees and the police being able to appeal the interim steps to a Magistrates’ Court.

The impact assessments relating to changes to ‘summary reviews and interim steps’ and ‘powdered and vaporised alcohol’ can be found here.

The Policing and Crime Bill itself can be seen here.

As ever, we will keep you updated as to progress.