Opinion > Peter Coulson
Peter Coulson
Views and advice on legal matters from Morning Advertiser's legal expert. You can also contact Peter and see if he can answer your legal queries on Licensing@aol.com
Coulson: Dancing to a complex tune
02-Aug-2011 - The nature of the Lords' discussion on the Live Music Bill shows how complicated this area of the law has become, writes Peter Coulson.
Coulson: Unharmonious PPL proposal
29-Jul-2011 - The PPL proposal for a massive hike in featured music fees is extraordinary and has understandably elicited howls of protest, writes Peter Coulson.
Coulson: Test purchasing back in spotlight
27-Jul-2011 - A standardised approach to test purchasing would be welcomed if it benefits licensees and trainers, writes Peter Coulson.
Coulson: Someone has a screw loose
22-Jul-2011 - In contrast to my recent article about ambulance-chasing lawyers and trumped-up claims, this week sees the other side of the legal coin, writes Peter Coulson.
Strong-arm tactics hit trade
15-Jul-2011 - Over the past year there has been increasing concern about the advice given to police forces from the Home Office in relation to licensed premises....
Coulson: Peers playing it long in Bill talks
12-Jul-2011 - There are still major issues to be debated on licensing, but I do not get the impression that many peers are up for the fight, writes Peter Coulson.
Ramping up the problems
07-Jul-2011 - Licensees should always monitor compliance with safety requirements and insist on reports of any incident in their pub, however trivial, warns Peter Coulson.
Sanctions to improve timing
04-Jul-2011 - At last, it would appear, someone is fighting back about the dilatory nature of local council response, writes Peter Coulson.
One objector can cause havoc
28-Jun-2011 - In some cases a licensing committee will use a single objection as a green light for raising issues about your pub themselves, writes Peter Coulson.
No opposition to re-balancing
27-Jun-2011 - Successive governments have failed to find a competent solution to alcohol consumption at home and on the streets, writes Peter Coulson.
Tell authorities of plan changes
21-Jun-2011 - Licensees could face prosecution or a licence review if they fail to inform the relevant authorities of plan changes, warns Peter Coulson.
Time for an on-off separation
20-Jun-2011 - A separation between the on and off-trades should be re-established as the 'one-size-fits-all' Licensing Act has failed, writes Peter Coulson.
Going beyond the law's intentions?
10-Jun-2011 - Far be it from me to jump to conclusions, but it may be that sometimes the police use the provisions of the Licensing Act in...
Trade must fight instant pub closures
08-Jun-2011 - Two more glaring examples of police misuse of their closure powers have come to light recently, involving two different parts of the law. In the...
Is live music off the hook?
07-Jun-2011 - Publican's Morning Advertiser legal expert Peter Coulson believes things are definitely moving in the right direction in regard to live music.
Pubs' duty of care to punters
01-Jun-2011 - A trial of two barmen who were accused of the manslaughter of a young English drinker has raised the whole issue of duty of care.
Machines and age restrictions
25-May-2011 - In certain parts of the country pubs are being targeted for enforcement action on the underage use of gaming machines, says Peter Coulson.
Clawing back your losses
18-May-2011 - Some licensees may not be aware of is the controversy surrounding the whole question of civil recovery, says Peter Coulson.
Still tying us up in knots
10-May-2011 - Peter Coulson is pleased that individual licensees are being encouraged by the BII's top man to lodge their complaints against red tape.
The high cost of shoddy advice
09-May-2011 - Be wary of the number of advisers and agents, all promising to save you money or sort out your financial problems, says Peter Coulson.
Residents drinks issue is here to stay
03-May-2011 - News of the proposed link-up between Travelodge and some pub groups may bring up the whole question of drinks for residents again.
Be aware of risks at your pub
30-Mar-2011 - Peter Coulson explores the pitfalls that can floor appeals, even with an adequate insurance policy in place.
The strict rules of betting in bars
22-Mar-2011 - The link between betting and pubs is a long-established one Peter Coulson sets the record straight.
Deciding what is minor on a licence
18-Mar-2011 - The issue for applicants changing their licence is whether what they propose to change comes within the minor variation process, says Peter Coulson.
Impact of break-ups in a pub team
14-Mar-2011 - Peter Coulson explains the implications of a relationship breaking up while still trying to run a pub.
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