Law

Sweeter, lower ABV Jägermeister goes for female crowd

03-Oct-2014 By Jessica Mason

The first new Jägermeister in 80 years is to hit UK pubs and bars this month.

Jägermeister targets pubs 'passing off'

10-Sep-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Mast-Jäegermeister UK has warned it will take legal action against pubs and clubs that repeatedly ‘pass off’ and ‘pour over’ as part of a fresh crackdown.

Greene King criticised over 'rushed' Hawthorn Leisure deal

05-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

The deal to sell 275 Greene King (GK) pubs to Hawthorn Leisure has been criticised as secretive and rushed.

Drinkaware looking to force pubs to remove its name from irresponsible ads

27-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Drinkaware is seeking legal advice on forcing pubs that promote irresponsible drinking to remove any mention of the organisation in their marketing material.

Third of non-domestic properties given low EPC rating

14-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A third of non-domestic properties that had an  energy performance certificate (EPC) lodged last year were given a poor rating of E or lower, according to a new Government report on the energy performance of building certificates.

Shadow pubs minister urges Government to tackle illegal foreign satellite suppliers

07-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Shadow pubs minister Toby Perkins has called for the Government to clamp down on rogue foreign satellite suppliers and open talks with Sky and BT about their policy of prosecuting individual publicans broadcasting sports programmes without a commercial...

Scottish bar hit with £7,000 fine after Sky Sports copyright breach

30-Apr-2014 By Mike Berry

A Scottish bar has been fined a total of £7,000 for showing Premier League football without the correct commercial viewing agreement.

Top tips on handling noise enforcement notices

08-Apr-2014 By Poppleston Allen

If you run a pub that provides entertainment and there is noise escaping from your premises you may face enforcement from the local authority’s environmental health noise officer, perhaps in addition to any licensing enforcement by way of review. Licensing...

Bell Inn owner wins damages after Facebook defamation case

17-Feb-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

An Enterprise Inns lessee has spoken of his legal battle from hell after a defamatory Facebook page set up by a former manager led to a £100,000 loss in trade.

Accurate energy ratings vital for future leasings, warns EPC expert

12-Feb-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Licensees looking to sell or lease their pub must make sure that an energy rating of the property has been carried out accurately in order to avoid breaking upcoming legislation.

Islington Council 'disappointed' by High Court ruling against pub protection policy

04-Feb-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A London council said that it is "disappointed" by a High Court ruling, after it lost a legal challenge against plans to redevelop a pub into housing.

Licensee fails in appeal over illegally showing Sky

03-Feb-2014 By Michelle Perrett

A licensee who appealed his prosecution for showing Sky Sports programmes illegally had it dismissed at Liverpool Crown Court on 23 January 2014.

High Court rules Swansea licensee broke copyright law with Premier League football screening

31-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

The High Court has ruled a pub licensee in Swansea broke copyright law by broadcasting Premier League football using a foreign satellite card, which was for private use only.

Licensee convicted for illegal Sky use after acquittal overturned

28-Nov-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

A Plymouth licensee has been convicted for illegal Sky use after his acquittal was overturned.

Punch launches new advice line for licensees

21-Nov-2013 By Lewis Brown

A free 24/7 legal advice line has been set up by Punch Taverns for its licensees.

Statutory code: Labour shadow minister predicts government decision will 'fall short'

12-Nov-2013 By John Harrington

The Government will introduce a statutory code in the pubco-tenant relationship, but fall short of acting on the beer tie or rents, Labour’s shadow small business minister has predicted.

Why are the campaign fanatics being tolerated?

12-Nov-2013 By Rob Willock

The licensee of the Alma in Islington, north London, was evicted last week after a four-year legal dispute with Enterprise Inns. It’s a sad situation that should never have escalated to the point where the relationship between pubco and tenant became...

Statutory code: Pubs Governing Body chair Bernard Brindley hits out at licensees 'trying to discredit PICAS'

06-Nov-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Bernard Brindley, chairman of the Pubs Governing Body (PGB), has accused some licensees who have used the Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service (PICA-Service) of trying to “discredit” the system.

Statutory code: PICAS licensees tell minister 'self-regulation has failed'

05-Nov-2013 By Michelle Perrett

A group of licensees that have been through the Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service (PICA-Service) process met with Business Innovation and Skills minister Jo Swinson yesterday to hand over a dossier claiming self-regulation has failed.

Licensee wins legal battle with Npower over electricity bill

21-Oct-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

A County Durham licensee has won a legal battle against Npower in a dispute over a £38,000 backdated electricity bill, saving his business around £88,000.

The Lib-Dems started this, now they have to find a solution to finish it

26-Sep-2013 By Rob Willock

The PMA’s online discussion forums have been rather quiet and civilised of late. That’s partly because we’ve not written much recently about the Government’s proposals to introduce statutory regulation of the pubco/tenant relationship — stories that are...

Norfolk bar loses £16,000 in legal case for serving Jägermeister 'imitation'

09-Aug-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

A Norfolk bar has been fined more than £16,000 for serving customers an “imitation product” when they had asked for Jägermeister.

Legal Q&A: Accidents outside your pub

22-Jul-2013 By Weightmans

Where do you stand if a passer-by injures themselves by tripping over a table outside your pub? In the first of a series of articles on insurance and legal issues, law firm Weightmans provides the answers.

Statutory code: beer flow monitoring restrictions 'completely unwarranted' says Vianet

22-Jul-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Vianet, the beer flow monitoring and data management company, has “strongly opposed” Government plans to restrict flow monitoring equipment.

Grinning Rat tenant calls Punch 'ridiculous' after losing eviction legal battle

17-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

A tenant who has been forced to leave his Ipswich pub after unsuccessful legal action has called Punch Taverns “ridiculous” and said he was making profits.

Sutton police appeal Wonderland licence review decision

09-Jul-2013 By Gurjit Degun

The Metropolitan Police have appealed a licence review decision against late-night venue in which the licensing authority accused officers of presenting “slanted” evidence.

Two Independent Pub Confederation members snub new Pubs Regulatory Body

04-Jul-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Two members of the Independent Pub Confederation (IPC) have refused to sit on a new self-regulatory board that will oversee the operation of the Pubs Independent Rent Review Scheme and the Pubs Independent Conciliation & Arbitration Service (PICA-Service).

Licence fees regulations are unlawful, says leading licensing barrister

27-Jun-2013 By Gurjit Degun

The regulations governing fees for premises and personal licences are unlawful — according to leading licensing barrister Philip Kolvin QC.

BISC statutory code hearing: BBPA chief defends self-regulation efforts

11-Jun-2013 By Noli Dinkovski

British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) chief executive Brigid Simmonds has defended industry efforts to self-regulate after coming under fire from a select committee of influential MPs today.

8 steps to running your own bar

17-May-2013 By Poppleston Allen

You've had enough of your boring job and want to own a bar. You've seen a vacant property on the high street of your local town, but don't know where to start. Here are eight top tips to getting the bar up and running.

Enterprise Inns chief Tuppen warns of "unintended consequences" of statutory code

15-May-2013 By Mark Wingett

Enterprise Inns chief executive Ted Tuppen has said that proposals by the Government to transfer £102m of economic benefit to tenants under statutory regulation proposals could have “damaging unintended consequences” for the industry.

JD Wetherspoon accepts £400,000 payment from property investor to settle legal claim

02-May-2013

JD Wetherspoon has agreed to accept a payment of £400,000 from property investor Jason Harris to settle a legal claim.

Greene King set to launch appeal to HMRC over tax scheme

30-Apr-2013 By John Harrington

Greene King is reportedly set to launch a second appeal against HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) over a tax scheme that has been labelled as “artificial”, The Guardian reports.

Portman Group reissues retailer bulletin over Laverstoke

18-Apr-2013 By Michelle Perrett

The Portman Group has reissued a Retailer Alert Bulletin for Laverstoke Park Farm Ale and Lager which asks retailers not to place orders for these products in their current packaging after 17 May 2013.

Judge to rule on Enterprise Inns dispute with PICA-Service licensee

17-Apr-2013 By Gurjit Degun

The licensee in the third case to go to the Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service (PICA-Service) against Enterprise Inns has gone to county court to accuse the pubco of not assessing her rent properly.

Did you know your pub's been knocked down?

27-Mar-2013 By Snifter

One poor pub owner received a phone call recently that no doubt every licensee dreads - something along the lines of "did you know your pub's been knocked down?"

Greene King will "embrace" pubco-tenant regulation consultation

28-Feb-2013 By Rob Willock

Greene King will “embrace the consultation process” for statutory regulation of the pubco/tenant relationship, according to managing director Simon Longbottom, despite his reservations about the government’s abandonment of the self-regulation process.

Exclusive: BBPA launches judicial review against Cambridge planning policy for pubs

17-Jan-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) will be taking Cambridge City Council’s supplementary planning policy for pubs to a judicial review.

Labour announces half-day debate on pubco-tenant regulation

20-Dec-2012 By Adam Pescod

Labour is to use its first Opposition Day Debate of 2013 to discuss the issue of pubco-tenant regulation, the PMA can exclusively reveal.

Newcastle City Council risks legal challenge over minimum pricing licence conditions

19-Dec-2012 By John Harrington

Newcastle City Council has been warned it could be breaching competition law by applying licence conditions on two bars that set a minimum price of £1.25p per unit on the sale of alcohol.

Legal Q&A: Children in pubs

14-Dec-2012 By Piers Warne

Licensing lawyer Piers Warne from law firm TLT tackles some frequently asked questions about children and pubs.

Closed pubs see rise in squatters

21-Nov-2012 By Gurjit Degun

Owners of closed pubs are being warned of a rise in squatters targeting empty commercial buildings.

Government plans to overhaul legal objections for planning applications

20-Nov-2012 By Gurjit Degun

The Government is looking to cut down on legal objections to the way planning applications are handled, as the Prime Minister announced his intention to “get a grip” of the judicial review process.

Tenants set to publish their own industry framework code for pubco-tenant relationship

26-Oct-2012 By Michelle Perrett

A group of tenants is producing its own industry framework code (IFC) over the pubco-tenant relationship.

BBPA questions legality of Cambridge City Council plans to protect pubs

24-Oct-2012 By Gurjit Degun

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has questioned Cambridge City Council’s plans to make it harder for the change of use and demolition of pubs.

Communities given power to save local pubs from closure

25-Sep-2012 By Gurjit Degun

Communities will now have the power to save their local pub as new planning laws came into force last week, known as the Community Right to Bid.

New director for PASS, the National Proof of Age Scheme

11-Sep-2012 By Michelle Perrett

Dave Humphries, director of compliance, intelligence and communications at the SIA has joined the Board of PASS, the National Proof of Age Scheme. 

Premier League issues football copyright warning to pubs over TV Ad Tech system

12-Jul-2012 By Adam Pescod

The Premier League has warned that it could “take appropriate action” against licensees using a new piece of technology which is claimed to bypass the copyright issues on pub football broadcasting.

Take precautions to avoid noise nuisance complaints

22-May-2012

There are operators who have experienced uncomfortable discussions with environmental health officers about a neighbour’s complaint of noise nuisance and even been threatened with an abatement notice.

Revised pub Industry Framework Code to come into force in October

30-Apr-2012 By Tony Halstead

Version six of the improved and revised Industry Framework Code governing tenant-pubco relations is on track to come into force at the end of October, British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds said last week.