Appeals and Judicial Reviews

You can appeal against the decision of a licensing committee

 
Licensing decisions in the first instance are made by local authority licensing committees.

An applicant, objector or a Premises Licence Holder who is dissatisfied with the outcome will be able to appeal to the local Magistrates Court. The appeal is a new hearing – a hearing “de novo” – when evidence not placed before the Licensing Authority or which relates to the period between the Licensing Authority’s decision and the appeal can be introduced.

More uncommonly a party may seek to challenge a local authority’s decision-making process in the High Court by way of Judicial Review.

Appeals can be very costly and, if unsuccessful, the applicant may well be ordered to pay the legal costs of the Licensing Authority.

For further information if you wish to challenge any decision, please contact one of our solicitors.