High Court Challenge to Lawfulness of Remote Hearings

A southeast London nightclub appealing against the loss of its premises licence is challenging the Council’s use of Microsoft Teams to conduct the hearing.

In April 2023, the Magistrates’ Court ruled in the Council’s favour that remote hearings are permitted under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Licensing Act (Hearings Regulations) 2005.

The nightclub appealed by way of case stated against the District Judge’s decision and the High Court heard the case on 15 May 2024, reserving judgement to a later date.

This is the first time that the Senior Courts have considered the lawfulness of remote hearings in a licensing context and the ruling will affect every Licensing Authority in England.

We will report on the judgement once it has been handed down.