THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Northern Ireland has its own licensing laws made under the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. A consultation paper, Liquor Licensing – The Way Forward, was launched by David Hanson MP on 1 November 2005, setting out the Government’s proposals for the reform of liquor licensing in Northern Ireland and the consultation period lasted until 31 January 2006. At the time of writing no timetable has been set for reform and the provisions of the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 continue to remain in force.

Obtaining a licence

Applications for liquor licences are made via the county court. A licence will be granted if the following criteria are met:

• The applicant must hand in an old licence to obtain a new licence.
• The applicant must prove their fitness to hold a licence (character, reputation, financial standing, qualifications and experience).
• The applicant must prove there is a need for the licensed premises in the area.

Objections to applications

The following may object to the granting of a licence:

• the police;
• the district council;
• any person who owns, conducts business or resides in the vicinity of the premises.

Renewal and suspension of licences

Once granted, the liquor licence remains in force until the end of the licensing period, which lasts for 5 years. Where the court considers that a premise is no longer a suitable venue to sell alcohol, they will suspend the licence. An example of this would be where the premises are causing disturbance to the general public.

Opening hours

Standard permitted opening hours are:

Weekdays	11.00am until 11.00pm
Good Friday	5.00pm until 11.00pm
Sunday and Christmas Day	12.30pm until 10.00pm

Drinking-up time of 30 minutes is permitted at the end of these periods.

The court may grant additional hours, where these will not cause undue inconvenience to people living in the vicinity, and the premises provide food or entertainment on a regular basis, which continues during the additional opening hours.

Young people

In general, young people under the age of 18 are not allowed in any area of licensed premises that is used mainly or exclusively for the sale or consumption of alcohol. There are some circumstances where a minor can be present, these are:

• If they are with an adult who is responsible for them.
• If they are the child of the licensee.

• If they are 16 years old and have a written contract of employment to work there or are receiving training under a recognised scheme.
• Where the court has granted a Children’s Certificate, allowing children to be present until 9.00pm (or 9.30pm when they or the adult are consuming a meal purchased before 9.30pm).
  And:
• They sit at a table away from the bar.

Offences under Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996

It is an offence for a licence holder to:

• sell or supply alcohol outside the permitted hours;
• allow a person whom they know to be under 18 to be present or consume alcohol in their licensed premises;
• allow any person whom they know to be drunk to be present in, buy or consume alcohol in their premises.

The penalty, if found guilty, is a fine and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months.