Pubwatch legal challenge finally dismissed

A man banned from all pubs in his area by a Pubwatch group has failed a third and final time to have the decision overturned by the High Court.

The decision is seen as staving off any threat to the existence of Pubwatches and should mean courts cannot interfere in what they do.

Matthew Proud, from Buckingham, banned for an alleged attack at a Buckingham pub, had his original written appeal knocked back on June 12, but continued with his bid to force a judicial review.

However this effort was rejected, but Proud launched another appeal against the decision.

But this week a High Court judge refused Proud's third appeal for a full hearing of the case.

Claire Eames, a partner at solicitors Poppleston Allen who represented the Pubwatch group at court, said: "The Right Honourable Lady Justice Buxton in giving her written decision, made it clear that the role of the Pubwatch is limited to assisting the licensees and could not be considered to be a public body.

"The effect of this is that the courts have confirmed on three occasions that the work of Pubwatch schemes is not an area that the court should interfere in."

She added: "This is a welcome decision for all Pubwatch schemes and indeed Local Authorities and police licensing officers around the country.

"Had Mr Proud's claim been successful, then the very future of Pubwatch would have hung in the balance."