Tods Murray to train police on licensing laws
Tods Murray is to put an Inspector of Lothian & Borders Police through his paces on a licensing training course designed for pub managers.
Head of the constabulary’s licensing division, Inspector Gordon Hunter and 11 of his colleagues will undergo a day’s training on all legislation affecting the licensed trade at the Edinburgh offices of the law firm on 11th February 2010. The course, which also covers the social and physical effects of alcohol, is the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders, and is accredited by the British Institute of Innkeepers (BII).
The twelve officers will then sit the same exam that managers must pass if they want to apply for a personal licence to be named as a pub or club manager.
It will be the first time that Lothian & Borders Police have taken such a step.
Stephen McGowan, a member of Tods Murray’s leading Hospitality and Leisure team, will conduct the training. Stephen is the author of "Licensing and Gambling Law in Scotland", and was a barman in Glasgow before entering the legal profession. He is now a Council Member of the BII and sits on the Law Society's licensing sub-committee.
He said:
“Inspector Hunter and his team are demonstrating a tremendous willingness to understand the impact of licensing laws and what they mean for managers in the pub trade by taking this course. Tods Murray has designed the course with practical examples of how these laws work in the real world and I'm looking forward to the input the officers will no doubt have.
“The licensing laws have been completely overhauled and it is fair to say that there have been teething problems in implementation. One of the big issues at the moment is what is - and what isn’t - an irresponsible drinks promotion and this course helps unravel that sort of thing through not just looking at the letter of law but discussing real life experiences.
“There is no legal requirement for the police to undertake this training and I think that they should be congratulated for making such a bold move.”
Inspector Gordon Hunter, from the Licensing Department at Lothian and Borders Police, said:
"Lothian and Borders Police are keen to maintain a good working relationship with the licensed trade, and we are always keen to explore ways in which we can improve this relationship, for mutual benefit.
"We look forward to participating in this training course, which we hope will enhance officers' knowledge, and give us an appreciation of the issues facing the licensed trade as a result of the introduction of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005."
For more information contact Stephen McGowan
Notes to Editor:
1. Tods Murray is a leading independent Scottish law firm, dedicated to providing first rate, innovative and commercially aware specialist advice to companies, institutions and organisations, within both the private and public sectors, and to families, individuals and charities.
2. Tods Murray has offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow and has 35 partners.
For more information, please call:
Ed Peel or Elizabeth Lambley, Indigo, 0131 554 1230