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Is it Last Orders for Cheap Alcohol?

In this article, Caroline Treanor examines the liquor licensing laws which came into force on 1st October.

Cheap, Cheap Alcohol as Dead as a Dodo?

Fledgling Scottish liquor licensing laws flew into force on 1 October. And some of the new rules are getting punters in a bit of a flap. There’s now a prohibition on the bulk-buying of alcohol; minimum pricing of certain packages containing alcohol, and the “Challenge 25” policy.

Challenge 25: What Does It Mean For You?

From 1 October this year (2011), all premises selling alcohol (with the exception of remote sale premises) must have an age verification policy in place.

It wisnae me! (well actually, it was ...)

Since 13 December 2010, the concept of vicarious liability has been resurrected in liquor licensing law via the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010. Read on for more info ....

Are You Ready for 1 October 2011?

The attached Legal Briefing Note relates to changes/proposed changes in Scottish Liquor Licensing Law. Are you ready for 1 October 2011?

The Social Responsibility Levy: Much Ado About Nothing?

The Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010 (the 2010 Act), received Royal Assent on 15 December 2010 and will come into force on 1 October of this year. Whilst the Act proposes many wide ranging changes to liquor licensing in Scotland, one of the more controversial proposals is perhaps the Social Responsibility Levy.

The Social Responsibility Levy: A Step Too Far?

As the Social Responsibility Levy makes its way through the Scottish Parliament as part of the Alcohol Etc. (Scotland) Bill, the licensed and catering trades would be well-advised to familiarise themsleves with intracacies of this controversial proposition. In the attached article Caroline Treanor, a member of our Hospitality and Leisure Team, outlines the proposal and highlights its myriad inequities ... This article is reproduced with the kind permission of Catering in Scotland.

Employee Tribunals: The Tables are Turning

In this article Chris Leitch, member of Tods Murray's Employment team, looks at employee tribunals and how employers can potentially avoid liability for costs when workers challenge them on the grounds of unfair dismissal. This article was reproduced with the kind permission of Catering in Scotland Magazine.

Any Questions?

Are there many places in the country where there is still a level of ignorance of the Gambling Act?

Gaps in Gambling Act Knowledge in Scotland

Over two years after the Gambling Act 2005 came into force, there are still some alarming knowledge gaps north of the border both in terms of operation and administration.

Retail Surgery

What is the new night-time food licence that is due to come into force in Scotland all about - and who will it apply to?

Act Called Time on Staff Drinks

Denying bartenders the right to relax with a pint after work is a step too far, says Tods Murray

Politicians are just Chasing Big-Policy Headlines

Pity the poor, hardworking bartender north of the border, who until September last year could legally have a staff drink after hours at the end of a busy shift.

Bye Bye Beer Tie

In this article Katie Corrigan, member of Tods Murray's Hospitality & Leisure team, looks at the Beer Tie - the practice of pubcos requiring their tennants to buy beer and other profucts from them in return for lower rent and a degree of business support. This article was reproduced with the kind permission of Catering in Scotland Magazine.

Tough New Tobacco Laws could hit England too

The licensed trade continues to reel at the unremitting stream of new health legislation costing fortunes in compliance. In Scotland, we led the way with the smoking ban and we’re back to tobacco restrictions with the new Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill passed last month.

Weighing Up New Measures

Tods Murray LLP, reckons there’s some way to go before two-thirds of a pint and 125ml of wine become the norm in the trade.

The Licensing Act's Impact has been Immense

After some eight years in the pipeline the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 came into force on September 1 and you’d be lucky if any member of the public could tell the difference. But the impact on publicans north of the border has been immense.

Calling Time on Scotland's Pubs

The stories of thousands of licensed premises closing their doors throughout Scotland are, unfortunately, highly accurate, and it’s not merely attributable to the economic downturn. In just a couple of weeks, it is anticipated that Scotland will lose some 20% of its existing licensed premises (around 3,800 in all), when the new Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 comes into force.

Catering for the Disabled

Among the many issues a licensee has to deal with when making any changes to their premises, or opening a new one, is disabled access. Here, Tods Murray assesses the legal rights and wrongs.

Trade Friend or Alco-Cop?

Tods Murray LLP explores the role of licensing standards officers in the 2005 Act.

Keeping an Eye on Things

With every late night premises now required to have CCTV fitted under the Licensing Conditions (Late Opening) (Scotland) Regulation 2007, Tods Murray argues that CCTV could actually be seen by some as illegal.

Hospitality Operators Alerted to New "Tipping" Laws

From October 2009, further new employment laws regarding the national minimum wage will come into affect. Perhaps the most significant of these for the hospitality, leisure and licensed trade is the new rules regarding the treatment of “tips”. This has always been an area of some dispute and I am encouraged to see the Government taking steps to resolve this.

Time for an Ad Break?

In the wake of the recent debates between The Portman Group and Scottish beer producers Orkney Brewers and BrewDog, and a new set of guidelines for alcohol advertising, Tods Murray LLP looks at the relationship between alcohol and the way it is promoted.

SNP Publish Controversial New Alcohol Proposals

The Scottish Government’s new package of measures: “Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action”, designed to address the problems arising from over consumption of alcohol in Scotland, was released on 2 March 2009. It is a broad document with suggestions for change across a spectrum of areas from licensing laws to mental health support and education. This article highlights the proposed changes in relation to licensing laws.

Take a Gamble on Bigger Profits

It's looking like 2009 could be a challenging year for the hospitality and leisure industry. Aside from the economic downturn and general trading difficulties, the sector has experienced a massive increase in licensing fees as we move towards the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

"Fit and Proper" test back on the cards?

Tods Murray LLP analyse proposals in the new Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill, including a re-introduction of the “fit and proper” test.

Alcohol Disorder Zones – A Lesson from England

With the controversy over the Scottish Governments new strategic approach on alcohol including a “social responsibilty fee”, we look at similar developments in England & Wales.

The New Licensing (S) Act 2005

2005 was a landmark year as far as liquor licensing in the UK is concerned. In England the much heralded “all day drinking laws” came into force on 1 December and in Scotland the Licensing (Scotland) Bill was passed on 16 November 2005. We have some time to wait before this new law comes into force as the date for coming into effect has been pushed back to 2009.

Checklist for Compliance with Licensing Conditions

View our Licensing Checklist

Checklist for applying for Operating Plan under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005

View our Licensing Checklist

Licensing for Commercial Conveyancers

A brief guide to the impact of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 for commercial property transactions.

Licensing for Commercial Conveyancers

A brief guide to the impact of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 for commercial property transactions. Used for TM in-house seminars.

Checklist for Compliance with Licensing Conditions

The New Licensing (S) Act 2005

2005 was a landmark year as far as liquor licensing in the UK is concerned. In England the much heralded “all day drinking laws” came into force on 1 December and in Scotland the Licensing (Scotland) Bill was passed on 16 November 2005. We have some time to wait before this new law comes into force as the date for coming into effect has been pushed back to 2009.

Checklist for applying for Operating Plan under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005

Checklist for Layout Plans

Satellite Row Remains Live

Tods Murray look at the latest legal position surrounding live football broadcasts in pubs. This article first appeared in the October 2008 edition of the Scottish Licensed Trade News.

Focus

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Tod Casts

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Hospitality and Leisure

Hospitality and Leisure

Our Hospitality and Leisure Team comprises a highly motivated group of lawyers from all disciplines.

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Key People

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Flexible Hours? It’s Time for Change

Read Richard Findlay’s article, in Catering in Scotland, where he provides some pointers on what to expect in the future….

The Real Cost for the Sound of Music

In an article in Catering in Scotland, Richard Findlay explores the pitfalls of playing music in a public place without the relevant permission. Read his article reproduced with the kind permission of Catering in Scotland magazine.

Pub Games Reborn

The Gambling Act 2005 has many ramifications for licensees of pubs and clubs who offer gaming facilities.

Pub Games Reborn

The Gambling Act 2005 has many ramifications for licensees of pubs and clubs who offer gaming facilities

Its Time to Share

Malcolm Holmes, partner in our corporate department and member of the Tods Murray Hospitality & Leisure team, wrote an article for Catering in Scotland in September 2007 which explored the legal issues surrounding Timeshares.

SIA Licensing is on the Doorstep

An overview of the imminent implementation of door supervisor licensing in Scotland.

Poker in Pubs: DCMS Shows its Cards

Tods Murray looks at the growing popularity of poker, problems presented by the current law and DCMS plans to relax controls on the game in alcohol-licensed premises.