Alcohol licensing

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 will be temporarily amended to allow easy extension to trading hours to allow patrons to watch the upcoming men’s Rugby World Cup games at licensed premises in the early hours of the morning.

The Epidemic Notice finally expires today (20 October 2022) after coming into force in March 2020. This is welcome relief for those who are trying to obtain or renew alcohol licences.

A new Bill has been drawn from the ballot that if enacted will bring some positive news to wineries with cellar doors. After a few years of limited visitors and staffing shortages we are pleased to report on some good news for the industry. This article discusses the proposed legislation and the benefits to the hospitality industry.

In the alcohol licensing process, it is important to understand how a locality can impact alcohol licence applications. This article discusses how the “amenity and good order” of the locality is relevant in the licence application.

So, you have finally decided to open a new bar or a bottle store with the aim of creating more job opportunities and helping the economic recovery post Covid19 lockdown. This article focuses on the importance of completing a thorough due diligence before you purchase the property or sign a lease agreement. This article also highlights issues that new applicants, as well as existing licensees, are facing in terms of application processing times post Covid19 lockdown.

As alcohol licensing specialists , we see licensees sign negotiated suspension agreements with the Police on the basis that they have sold alcohol to a minor (an alleged failed CPO). However, this is not as black & white as it seems. The article below provides commentary on s 239(1) and the offences covered by that section.

This article focuses on the type of issues that can arise for alcohol retailers and the risks they face if they fail to meet their obligations as employers.

As the end of the year looms, planning for Christmas-themed workplace functions and events also begins. Many of these events will escape alcohol licensing requirements, typically because the event is private, small-scale and because alcohol is being supplied at no charge (or guests are bringing their own).

Is your existing licensed premises undergoing repairs, alterations or rebuilding or other unforeseen event and you are not sure whether you can simply move to another premises and start trading? This article explains the option available under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 which allows the licensing committees to authorise licences, provided certain legislative criteria is met, for alternative premises where an existing premises are unfit for the sale of alcohol.