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The Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996

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Changes over time for: Cross Heading: Renewal of licences

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The Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, Cross Heading: Renewal of licences is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 29 March 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Renewal of licencesN.I.

Renewal of licencesN.I.

14.—(1) An application for the renewal of a licence shall be made to a court of summary jurisdiction except where the licence is renewed by the clerk of petty sessions under this Article.

(2) The procedure for applications for the renewal of licences is set out in Part I of Schedule 4.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), where notice of an application for the renewal of a licence otherwise than under Article 16 or 23 has been served upon the clerk of petty sessions, he may renew the licence as if the application had been made to him and may do so in the absence of the applicant.

(4) Where—

(a)a notice of application is in respect of the renewal of a licence which has been in force for a period determined by the court under Article 13(1)(a)(ii) or (b)(ii) or Article 21 (1)(b)(ii) or (c)(ii), or

(b)a notice of objection has been served on the clerk and has not been withdrawn, or

(c)the licensed premises have been altered since the last previous renewal of the licence (or, where the renewal applied for is the first renewal of the licence, since the licence was granted), or

(d)the application for renewal is in respect of premises of a kind mentioned in Article 5(1)(a) for which the applicant has also applied to the court for—

(i)a direction specifying that on Sunday there shall be no permitted hours on the premises, or

(ii)the cancellation of such a direction, or

(e)the application for renewal is made by virtue of Article 18 or with respect to a licence to which Article 77(4) or Article 80(3) applies, or

(f)the application for renewal is in respect of licensed premises for which the applicant has also applied to the court for the variation of a direction specifying the number of gaming machines which may be made available on the licensed premises or, where such a direction has not been given in respect of the licensed premises, for which the sub-divisional commander of the police division in which the licensed premises are situated has applied for such a direction, [F1or

(fa)the clerk is not satisfied that the applicant has been complying with any code of practice which the Department has approved under Article 76F (and from which it has not withdrawn its approval);] or

(g)the clerk is of the opinion, for any other reason, that an application for the renewal of the licence should be made to the court,

the clerk shall require the application to be made to the court and shall notify the applicant and the objectors, if any, of the requirement and of the time and place of the hearing.

(5) Where a licence is renewed, the clerk shall note the renewal on the licence.

Renewal of licences by a courtN.I.

15.—(1) On an application for the renewal of a licence to a court of summary jurisdiction, the court shall hear the objections, if any, made under Part I of Schedule 4.

(2) A court shall refuse an application for the renewal of a licence unless it is satisfied—

(a)subject to paragraph (3)(a), that the procedure relating to the application set out in Part I of Schedule 4 has been complied with; and

(b)that the applicant is a fit person to hold a licence; [F2and

(ba)that the applicant is aware of the responsibilities under, and has been complying with, any code of practice which the Department has approved under Article 76F (and from which it has not withdrawn its approval);] and

(c)subject to Article 18(3),—

(i)that the kind of premises specified in the application is that for which the licence was granted and the premises are of the kind so specified; and

(ii)subject to paragraph (3)(b), that the premises are suitable to be licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor by retail; and

(d)that, having regard to the manner in which the business carried on in the premises under the licence has been conducted since the last previous renewal of the licence (or, where the renewal applied for is the first renewal of the licence, since the licence was granted), it is likely that, if the licence is renewed, the business will be conducted in a peaceable and orderly manner; and

(e)subject to Article 18(3), that—

(i)the business carried on in the premises under the licence, and

(ii)in the case of premises of a kind mentioned in Article 5(1)(c) to [F3(m)] other than an hotel in respect of which the note and record mentioned in Article 5(5)(a) have been made, the business to which the sale of intoxicating liquor under the licence is ancillary,

has not been discontinued; and

(f)where the licence is in respect of a guest house[F4, a place of public entertainment [F5, an indoor arena or an outdoor stadium]] , that the conditions attached to the licence by the court under Article 7(11) or, as the case may be, (12) have been observed.

(3) A court may renew a licence notwithstanding—

(a)that the procedure relating to the application set out in Part I of Schedule 4 has not been complied with if, having regard to the circumstances, it is reasonable to do so; or

(b)that the premises are not suitable for the sale of intoxicating liquor by retail, if they will be made suitable in consequence of an order under paragraph (7).

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(e)(i) a business shall be deemed not to have been discontinued if its conduct has been interrupted by reason only of the suspension of the licence.

(5) A court which renews a licence in respect of premises of a kind mentioned in Article 5(1)(a), on the application of the holder of the licence—

(a)where a direction has not been given under Article 7(10), shall give such a direction; or

(b)shall cancel a direction given under sub-paragraph (a) or Article 7(10).

(6) A court which renews a licence for any premises which are licensed premises to which regulations under Article 108(1)(b) of the [1985 NI 11.] Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 apply may—

(a)where a direction has not been given under Article 7(13) in respect of the licensed premises, on an application by the sub-divisional commander of the police sub-division in which the licensed premises are situated, give such a direction; or

(b)on an application by the sub-divisional commander mentioned in sub-paragraph (a), vary a direction given under sub-paragraph (a) or Article 7(13); or

(c)on an application by the holder of the licence, vary or cancel a direction given under sub-paragraph (a) or Article 7(13).

[F4(6A) A court which renews a licence for an indoor arena [F6or an outdoor stadium] may attach to the licence such conditions as it thinks fit.]

(7) Article 8 shall apply in relation to the renewal of a licence as if—

(a)references to the court granting a licence were references to a court renewing a licence; and

(b)in paragraph (2) the reference to the person whose name has been notified to the court as the owner of the premises were a reference to the person whose name is recorded in the register of licences as the owner of the premises.

(8) Where the court refuses an application for the renewal of a licence or for the variation or cancellation of a direction under paragraph (6) it shall specify in its order the reasons for its refusal.

(9) Where the court gives or cancels a direction under paragraph (5) or (6) or varies a direction under paragraph (6) the clerk of petty sessions shall note the direction, cancellation or variation, as the case may require, on the licence.

Power to renew licences out of timeN.I.

16.  Where the holder of a licence which falls to expire on the 30th September fails to serve due notice of an application for its renewal before the renewal date a court of summary jurisdiction, upon application made in compliance with the procedure set out in Part I of Schedule 4 as modified by Part II of that Schedule not later than the end of the period of 12 months from the date on which the licence expires, may renew the licence—

(a)if it is satisfied that there was good reason for the failure; or

(b)upon the payment of such additional fee as may be fixed by order under section 116 of the [1978 c. 23.] Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 for each month or part of a month between the renewal date and the time when application is made under this Article for the renewal of the licence.

Renewal of licences in respect of certain premisesN.I.

17.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where a licence was granted for premises in which a principal business was carried on and an application for the renewal of the licence is made to a court of summary jurisdiction, the court, if satisfied that the principal business has been discontinued in consequence of damage caused to premises and an application has been, or will be made under the [1971 c. 38 (N.I.).] Criminal Injuries to Property (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 or the [1977 NI 14.] Criminal Damage (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 for compensation for that damage, and that there is a likelihood that, within a reasonable period, either—

(a)the principal business will be resumed in the licensed premises, or

(b)an application will be made to a county court for a new licence in lieu of the existing licence to enable the business to be carried on in other premises (whether on the same site or not), or

(c)an application will be made to the county court for a new licence and the licence sought to be renewed is proposed to be surrendered as a subsisting licence,

may grant the renewal for a period of 12 months notwithstanding that—

(i)the licensed premises have ceased to exist; or

(ii)the principal business has been discontinued; or

(iii)the premises are no longer premises of an establishment allocated by a certificate under Article 13 of the [1992 NI 3.] Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 to a statutory category of tourist establishment or, as the case may be, no longer provide accommodation approved by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

(2) Where an application for the renewal of the licence has been made on 2 previous occasions in respect of any premises the court shall not grant the renewal under paragraph (1) unless the applicant—

(a)satisfies the court that there were reasonable grounds for the failure either to resume the principal business in the licensed premises or to make an application for a new licence; and

(b)produces evidence to the court that he is taking the necessary steps to resume that business or make that application within the next 12 months.

(3) Where in respect of any period of 12 months a licence is renewed under this Article, Articles 5(3)(a), 44 [F7, 44A] and 45 and Article 5(6) in so far as it relates to Article 5(3)(a) shall not apply to the conduct of the licensed business in the licensed premises during that period.

(4) In this Article—

  • “principal business” means the business of an hotel or the business of providing accommodation for guests in premises such as are mentioned in Article 2(5)(a) or (b);

  • “licensed business” means the business of selling intoxicating liquor in premises in which a principal business is carried on.

Renewal of licence pending grant of new licenceN.I.

18.—(1) Where—

(a)the premises specified in a licence are premises such as are mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 and sub-paragraph (b) of that paragraph (where applicable) applies, and

(b)an order is not in force under Article 29 authorising the temporary continuance in other premises of the business authorised to be carried on under the licence,

the holder may, for the purpose of keeping the licence in force in order that it may be surrendered as a subsisting licence, apply under Article 14 for a renewal of the licence, and the court, if satisfied that it will be surrendered within a reasonable period, may renew the licence.

(2) Where the holder of a licence has died, his personal representative may apply under paragraph (1) for the renewal of the licence, and the court may renew the licence in his name.

(3) Article 15(2) shall apply for the purposes of an application for renewal under paragraph (1) as if sub-paragraphs (c) and (e) were omitted.

Renewal of suspended licencesN.I.

19.  The renewal of a suspended licence shall not affect the suspension.

Continuance of licence pending determination of appealN.I.

20.  Where a court refuses to renew a licence and the holder of the licence appeals, the licence shall, unless suspended, continue in force until the appeal is determined or abandoned.

Duration of renewed licenceN.I.

21.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and Article 17(1), on the renewal of a licence it shall, unless suspended, remain in force until—

(a)if it is renewed by the clerk of petty sessions during the month of September immediately preceding the expiration of the then current licensing period, the expiration of the next following licensing period; or

(b)if it is renewed by a court within the 3 months immediately preceding the expiration of the then current licensing period, the expiration of—

(i)the next following licensing period, or

(ii)such lesser period ending on 30th September as the court shall determine; or

(c)if it is renewed by a court in any other case, the expiration of—

(i)the then current licensing period, or

(ii)such lesser period ending on 30th September as the court shall determine.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not prejudice the operation of Articles 13(2)(c), 20, 25(b), 26(7) and 28, under which a licence may, or may be deemed to, continue in force after the time when it would otherwise expire.

(3) Where, on renewing a licence, a court of summary jurisdiction gives a direction under Article 15(5)(a) or varies or cancels any direction given under Article 7(13) or 15(5)(a) and the holder of the licence appeals against the direction, variation or cancellation, as the case may require, the direction, variation or cancellation shall not take effect until the appeal is determined or abandoned.

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