Senior circuit judge named as the vice-chairman of PICA-Service

Barber, who is a former head of chambers, will share the responsibility for chairing PICA-Service​ hearings and meetings with the chairman, Rodger Vickers.

PICAS is part of the self-regulation deal between the British Beer & Pub Association and the Government in the wake of the Business, Innovation & Skills Committee.

The PICA-Service, which launched on February 29, complements the work currently carried out by PIRRS by handling disputes of all issues other than those concerning rent.

“The appointment of Trevor Barber into the important position of vice chairman further demonstrates the independence and integrity of the PICA-Service,” said Bernard Brindley, chair of PIRRS and deputy chairman of the BII. “His vast knowledge, experience and impartiality, enhances the authority of the PICA-Service and its board.”

As Vice-Chairman, PIRRS and the PICA-Service are supported by five of the industry’s leading associations: the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the Federation of Licensed Victuallers’ Associations (FLVA) and the Guild of Master Victuallers (GMV).  The PICA-Service reports to the PIRRS Board.

The PICA-Service provides tenants and lessees, whose pub company or brewery landlords are bound by the Pubs UK Industry Framework Code of Practice (IFC), with a formal dispute resolution procedure. This can be called into play by tenants and lessees when disagreements over breaches of the IFC and company codes of practice, or in contravention of the spirit of such codes, have failed to be settled via pub company or brewery internal procedures.  

Both the tenants/lessees and the pub companies/breweries pay a fee of £200 each, upon registration of the complaint.  The tenant’s fee will be reimbursed should his complaint be upheld.

The service also has the power to assess and award unlimited compensation to tenants and lessees.