Dispute Resolution

Rodger Vickers, first chairman of PICAS, has died

25-May-2018 By Claire Churchard

The inaugural chairman of the Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service (PICAS) Rodger Vickers has died after a long illness.

Pubs code adjudicator raises concerns over Calderbank letters

15-Aug-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has urged tied pub tenants to alert him if they receive a Calderbank Offer letter from their pubco during tied rent reviews, after concerns one has “broken a commitment to no longer use them”.

PCA defends slow progress on MRO cases as 'reducing risks'

04-Jul-2017 By Claire Churchard

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has defended the slow pace of its progress on market-rent-only (MRO) option cases, after a group of pub operators called the body a “rabbit in the headlights” for its perceived inaction.

MRO fight to cost licensee £25,000

30-Jun-2017 By Michelle Perrett

A licensee, fighting his case for the market-rent-only (MRO) option, said it is going to cost him £25,000 despite using the pubs code adjudicator (PCA). 

Pubs code adjudicator resolves first five cases

09-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

Pubs code adjudicator Paul Newby has resolved the first cases submitted to him since taking the role.

Rent review scheme made available to pubs code tenants

26-Jan-2017 By Liam Coleman

A rent review scheme from the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and other industry bodies has been made available to licensees governed by the pubs code.

Voluntary pubs code to be introduced for smaller pubcos

02-Jun-2016 By Oli Gross

A voluntary code for smaller pubcos will be introduced once the statutory code comes into force for larger companies, the Pub Governing Body (PGB) has confirmed. 

Cambridge publican awarded £25,000 in compensation after being wrongly evicted

19-Oct-2015 By Emily Sutherland

A Cambridge publican has been awarded £25,000 in compensation after being sprayed with a form of pepper spray and being physically removed from his pub.

Self-regulation is still delivering for tenants

17-Sep-2015 By Sir Peter Luff

The government may be recruiting for the new statutory adjudicator, but self-regulation is still delivering for tenants.

Self Regulation

Focus: PICAS and PIRRS publish annual reports

21-May-2015 By Mike Berry

The annual reports of both the Pubs Independent Conciliation & Arbitration Service (PICA-Service) and the Pubs Independent Rent Review Scheme (PIRRS) have been published. Mike Berry picks out the main points.

PICA-Service report shows self-regulation 'is working'

26-Feb-2015 By Mike Berry

Pub industry self-regulation is not dead — far from it. That is the message from Pub Governing Body (PGB) chairman Sir Peter Luff MP following the publication of the PICA-Service (PICAS) annual report.

Marston’s ordered to pay damages in latest PICA-service hearing

11-Aug-2014 By James Wallin

The Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration (PICA)-Service has ruled against Marston’s over complaints about poor communication and failure to provide regular business reviews.

Statutory code: What happens next?

11-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

Free-of-tie campaigners have made it clear their statutory code fight is far from over, so where does last week’s announcement leave the industry?

Figures show PIRRS is gaining traction, say senior industry figures

18-Feb-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Pubs Independent Rent Review Scheme (PIRRS) is gaining in effectiveness as both licensees and pub companies become more familiar with the service, according to senior trade representatives in relation to the latest available figures.

PICA-Service recruits 13 new panel members

05-Nov-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

The Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service (PICAS) has recruited 13 new panel members to sit at hearings, following an extensive selection process that began with a call for volunteers in the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.

PICA-Service seeks out more panellists for hearings

28-Mar-2013 By Michelle Perrett

The Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service — or PICA-Service — is to recruit more panel members to sit at hearings.

First pubco found in breach of code at inaugural PICA-Service hearing

19-Sep-2012 By Michelle Perrett

A pubco has been found in breach of its code of practice and the spirit of its code of practice, in the first case to go through the newly formed Pubs Independent Conciliation & Arbitration Service (PICA-Service).

'Licensees unsure about dispute resolution'

18-May-2011 By Michelle Perrett

A high number of licensees are still unsure where to turn when they are in dispute with their pubco, it was revealed today. The news was unveiled...

BII offers pubs a mediation 'lifeline'

28-Apr-2011 By Ewan Turney

A former pubco tenant has hailed the BII's new mediation service as a "lifeline" after he clawed back £34,000 from his pub company.

GMB: BII washing hands of Punch dispute

21-Aug-2009 By Ewan Turney

The GMB union has accused the BII of "washing its hands" of a Peak District tenant's dispute with Punch Taverns. It claims that tenant David...

RICS to shine light on "clarity" of rent review process

04-Aug-2009 By James Wilmore

Anti-tie campaign group Fair Pint is among those being invited to take part in a consultation to ensure "transparency" and "clarity" in rent reviews....

Property dispute expert joins pubco mediation process

30-Jul-2009 By James Wilmore

A legal expert in landlord and tenant disputes has been recruited to help with the industry's pubco mediation process - which formally kicks-off...

ALMR: give us 6 months to sort it out

10-Jun-2009 By MA reporter

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers has written to BEC chairman Peter Luff asking for six months to sort the industry's problems out.

Rent dispute scheme progress 'encouraging'

27-May-2009 By John Harrington

A formal meeting between three trade groups into plans for an independent, low-cost rent adjudication system has been described as "encouraging". The...

Green light for BII rent adjudication system

03-Apr-2009 By John Harrington

The BII aims to make its low-cost rent adjudication system a pan-industry initiative. The BII Council last night gave support to the Independent...

BII chief wants government cash for rent service

30-Mar-2009 By Matt Eley Matt

A cut-price rent adjudication scheme should be financed by the government, according to BII chief Neil Robertson. The group's council is set to...

BII to discuss new rent adjudication

26-Mar-2009 By Andrew Pring

A new and inexpensive form of lessee-friendly rent adjudication is set to be discussed by the BII next week. The scheme, which could revolutionise...

Drink Talking: Alan Dunton

12-Jan-2005

Alan Dunton of the King's Head, Llandudno, on what the select committee recommendations could have been.Buzz words, don't you just love...