UK Act of Parliament 1996 Northern Ireland

Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996

This Order consolidates with amendments the law relating to licences for the sale by retail of intoxicating liquor. The principal amendments are— the kinds of premises which may be licensed are extended to include guest houses, conference centres and higher education institutions; licences to be valid for up to 5 …

Read the Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Enforced by
Local Authority, Police
Status
Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling
Imprisonment 21 of 59 obligations carry a fine up to £1,000. 29 carry different penalties and 9 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person50 Licence Holder2

Plus 7 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2684 other Acts
Licence Holder — also bound by 245 other Acts

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

INTRODUCTORY

0 of 5 sections shown
5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.001 Title and commencement (opens in a new tab)
s.002 Interpretation (opens in a new tab)
s.application to limited liability partnerships Application to limited liability partnerships
s.meaning of “indoor arena” Meaning of “indoor arena”
s.meaning of “outdoor stadium” Meaning of “outdoor stadium”
Part 2

THE GENERAL LICENSING SYSTEM

10 of 39 sections shown
s.003 Prohibition on sale of intoxicating liquor without a licence (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Sell intoxicating liquor without a licenceAny Person
s.004 Persons to whom licences may be granted (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Fail to notify licence authority of director changeAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.005 Premises for which licences may be granted (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Unauthorised sale of alcohol in restricted premisesAny Person
s.008 Grant of licence conditional on alterations being made in premises (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Fail to comply with licence alteration orderAny Person
s.015 Renewal of licences by a court (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Courts must satisfy specific safety and conduct criteria before renewing a licenseTribunal / Court
s.030 Occasional licences (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Sell intoxicating liquor outside permitted function or off‑premisesAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.031 Consent required for certain alterations to premises (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Fail to give required notice of alteration to clerk of petty sessionsAny Person

Fine up to £500

s.033 Form of licence (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Ensure your liquor licence contains all required prescribed detailsLicence Holder
s.034 Register of licences (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department of Justice must maintain a register of all liquor licencesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.036 Information for Department (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department of Justice must report on the number of licensed premisesCrown / Minister / Government department
29 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.006 Premises for which licences shall not be granted (opens in a new tab)
s.007 Grant of licences (opens in a new tab)
s.009 Provisional grant of licences (opens in a new tab)
s.010 Preliminary approval of sites and disposal in certain cases (opens in a new tab)
s.011 Grant of new licence in lieu of existing licence (opens in a new tab)
s.012 Effect on new licence of suspension of surrendered, or previous, licence (opens in a new tab)
s.013 Duration of new licences (opens in a new tab)
s.014 Renewal of licences (opens in a new tab)
s.016 Power to renew licences out of time (opens in a new tab)
s.017 Renewal of licences in respect of certain premises (opens in a new tab)
s.018 Renewal of licence pending grant of new licence (opens in a new tab)
s.019 Renewal of suspended licences (opens in a new tab)
s.020 Continuance of licence pending determination of appeal (opens in a new tab)
s.021 Duration of renewed licence (opens in a new tab)
s.022 Transfer of licences (opens in a new tab)
s.023 Concurrent transfer and renewal of licences (opens in a new tab)
s.024 Transfer of suspended licences (opens in a new tab)
s.025 Appeal from transfer (opens in a new tab)
s.026 Protection orders (opens in a new tab)
s.027 Supplementary provisions relating to protection orders (opens in a new tab)
s.028 Temporary continuance of business on death, bankruptcy, etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.029 Temporary continuance of business in other premises (opens in a new tab)
s.032 New licence required on reconstruction of premises (opens in a new tab)
s.035 Inspection of register (opens in a new tab)
s.037 Register of licences to be evidence (opens in a new tab)
s.038 Proof, etc., of licence (opens in a new tab)
s.039 Provisions as to licences where premises are acquired under statutory powers (opens in a new tab)
s.040 Temporary occupation of licensed premises for purpose of carrying on business (opens in a new tab)
s.remote sales: requirement for off-licence Remote sales: requirement for off-licence
Part 3

PERMITTED HOURS

3 of 14 sections shown
s.041 Prohibition of sale, etc., of intoxicating liquor outside permitted hours (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Sell, serve or consume alcohol outside permitted hoursAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.047 Extension licences for sale, etc., of liquor in certain premises outside permitted hours (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Sell liquor in breach of extension licence conditionsAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.art048 Major event order: conditions Prosecution
  • Breach a condition of a major event orderAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

11 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.042 General permitted hours (opens in a new tab)
s.043 Alternative permitted hours for off-sales (opens in a new tab)
s.044 Orders for additional permitted hours (opens in a new tab)
s.045 Authorisations for additional permitted hours (opens in a new tab)
s.046 Exceptions from prohibition of sale, etc., of intoxicating liquor outside permitted hours (opens in a new tab)
s.048 Suitability of certain premises for functions (opens in a new tab)
s.049 Power of Secretary of State to vary hours in certain circumstances (opens in a new tab)
s.alignment of closing time for liquor and entertain Alignment of closing time for liquor and entertainment
s.extension of permitted hours for major events Extension of permitted hours for major events
s.orders under article 44a: revocation, modification Orders under Article 44A: revocation, modification etc.
s.public houses or hotels: order for further additio Public houses or hotels: order for further additional permitted hours
Part 4

CLOSURE OF LICENSED PREMISES

4 of 10 sections shown
s.application to court of summary jurisdiction by po Application to court of summary jurisdiction by police Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Police must apply to court after serving a closure orderStatutory regulator
s.art069 Orders to close licensed premises in district experiencing disorder Prosecution
  • Keep licensed premises open after a court closure orderAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.art069 Closure orders for identified licensed premises Imprisonment
  • Open licensed premises in breach of a closure orderAny Person
s.art069 Consideration of closure order by court of summary jurisdiction Imprisonment
  • Open premises in breach of a court closure orderAny Person
6 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.appeal from decision of court of summary jurisdict Appeal from decision of court of summary jurisdiction
s.cancellation of closure order Cancellation of closure order
s.enforcement of closure order Enforcement of closure order
s.exemption of police from liability for damages Exemption of police from liability for damages
s.extension of closure order Extension of closure order
s.interpretation of part 4a Interpretation of Part 4A
Part 4

CONDUCT OF LICENSED PREMISES, ETC.

30 of 34 sections shown
s.050 Restriction as to sale, etc., of intoxicating liquor for consumption off the premises (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Sell alcohol for off‑premises consumption on Christmas DayAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.051 Conditions as to sale, etc., in guest houses and restaurants (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Breach of conditions for selling intoxicating liquor in guest houses or restaurantsAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.052 Places of public entertainment (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Sell intoxicating liquor unlawfully at a public entertainment venueAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.054 Seamen's canteens (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Sell intoxicating liquor to unauthorised persons in a seamen’s canteenAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.055 Restrictions on sale of certain kinds of alcohol (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Sell liquor containing non‑ethyl alcoholAny Person
s.056 Penalty for permitting consumption of intoxicating liquor in unlicensed part of premises (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Allow drinking in unlicensed part of premisesAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.057 Penalty for breach of terms of off-licence (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Breach off‑licence terms by allowing on‑premises consumption or taking liquor for profitAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.058 Young persons prohibited from certain premises (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Allow under‑18s in prohibited licensed areasAny Person

Fine up to £2,500

s.060 Sale, etc., of intoxicating liquor to young persons (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Sell or supply alcohol to persons under 18Any Person
s.061 Drunkenness in licensed premises (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Permit drunkenness or sell to drunk person in licensed premisesAny Person

Fine up to £2,500

s.062 Procuring drink for drunken person (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Provide alcohol to a drunken personAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.063 Power to exclude drunken persons, etc., from licensed premises (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Failure of a customer to leave licensed premises when requestedAny Person

Fine up to £2,500

s.064 Riotous, disorderly or indecent behaviour in licensed premises (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Engage in riotous or disorderly behaviour in licensed premisesAny Person
s.065 Prostitutes not to be allowed to assemble on licensed premises (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Allow prostitutes to assemble on licensed premisesAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.066 Conditions as to delivery of intoxicating liquor (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Fail to keep proper delivery records for intoxicating liquorAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.067 Prohibition of consumption, etc., of intoxicating liquor at entertainments (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Supply or permit intoxicating liquor at unauthorised entertainmentAny Person
s.068 Prohibition of consumption, etc., of intoxicating liquor in certain premises (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Supply, consume or keep liquor in unlicensed club premisesAny Person
s.069 Persons found on unlicensed premises, etc. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Be on premises where alcohol is sold without a licenceAny Person

Fine up to £2,500

s.art052 Indoor arenas and outdoor stadia Prosecution
  • Sell alcohol in arena outside permitted conditionsAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.art052 Local producer’s licence: sales on own premises Imprisonment
  • Sell or make alcohol available on‑premises contrary to licenceAny Person
s.art052 Local producer’s licence: sale on other licensed premises Imprisonment
  • Sell intoxicating liquor outside authorised eventAny Person
s.art052 Local producer’s licence: sales not on licensed premises Imprisonment
  • Sell intoxicating liquor without required approvalsAny Person
s.art052 Local producer’s premises: authorisation for on-sales Prosecution
  • Sell intoxicating liquor without authorised on‑sale permissionAny Person

Fine up to £2,500

s.art054 Prohibition on self-service and sales by vending machines Prosecution
  • Sell alcohol via vending machine or self‑service dispenserAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.art057 Irresponsible drinks promotions Prosecution
  • Run an irresponsible drinks promotionAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.art057 Restrictions on off-sales drinks promotions in supermarkets etc. Prosecution
  • Carry out off‑sales drinks promotion near licensed premisesAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.art057 Prohibition of loyalty schemes Prosecution
  • Run prohibited loyalty scheme for alcohol salesAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.art058 Suitability of certain premises for underage functions Regulated
  • Apply for a court order to host underage functionsLicence Holder
s.art058 Authorisations for underage functions Prosecution
  • Breach of condition attached to underage‑function authorisationAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.art060 Duty to display notice relating to age Prosecution
  • Fail to display age‑related noticeAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.053 International airports (opens in a new tab)
s.059 Children's certificates (opens in a new tab)
s.local producer’s premises: suitability for on-sale Local producer’s premises: suitability for on-sales
s.test purchases of alcohol Test purchases of alcohol
Part 5

PAVEMENT CAFE AREAS

0 of 5 sections shown
5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.off-licence: penalty for consumption on pavement c Off-licence: penalty for consumption on pavement café area
s.pavement café areas: definitions Pavement café areas: definitions
s.pavement café area where consumption permitted: ho Pavement café area where consumption permitted: hours, conduct etc.
s.sale for consumption on pavement café area not pro Sale for consumption on pavement café area not prohibited by Article 5(3)(b) or 51 in certain cases
s.young persons prohibited from certain pavement caf Young persons prohibited from certain pavement café areas
Part 5

ENFORCEMENT

7 of 10 sections shown
s.070 Production of licence (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Fail to produce licence on police requestAny Person

Fine up to £500

s.071 Provision for inspection and rights of entry (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Fail to let constable inspect premisesAny Person

Fine up to £2,500

s.073 Suspension of licences on conviction of certain offences (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Court must suspend licensed premises after conviction for specified offencesTribunal / Court
s.074 Penalty for opening licensed premises during period of suspension (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Sell alcohol while licence is suspendedAny Person
s.075 Procedure in connection with suspension (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Fail to deliver suspended licence to courtAny Person
s.art071 Endorsement of licences Imprisonment
  • Fail to deliver endorsed licence to the court as orderedAny Person
s.suspension of licence for repeated offences Suspension of licence for repeated offences Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Court must suspend licence when penalty points reach 10 or moreTribunal / Court
3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.072 Suspension of licences (opens in a new tab)
s.076 Appeals against suspension of licence, etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.penalty points to be attributed to an offence Penalty points to be attributed to an offence
Part 6

MISCELLANEOUS

3 of 11 sections shown
s.078 Sales by wholesalers, etc. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Sell intoxicating liquor without a licence or out of hoursAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.080 Licences for non-seagoing vessels (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Fail to comply with conditions of a vessel licenceAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.art076 Code of practice Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • The Department must consult police and formalise alcohol codes of practiceCrown / Minister / Government department
8 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.077 Special provisions with respect to grant or renewal of licences for seamen's canteens (opens in a new tab)
s.079 Sale of intoxicating liquor, etc., by pharmacists (opens in a new tab)
s.081 Application of Order to certain seagoing vessels and to aircraft and railway passenger vehicles (opens in a new tab)
s.082 Evidence (opens in a new tab)
s.083 Appeals (opens in a new tab)
s.084 Exemptions and savings (opens in a new tab)
s.085 Modifications of Schedules, amendments, transitional provisions, savings and repeals (opens in a new tab)
s.attachment of conditions to licences for indoor ar Attachment of conditions to licences for indoor arenas or outdoor stadia
Schedules

Schedules

2 of 99 shown
s.sch005 APPLICATIONS FOR THE TRANSFER OF LICENCES (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Fail to comply with court order to deposit licenceAny Person
s.sch010a TABLE OF OFFENCES WITH PENALTY POINTS Prosecution
  • Sell intoxicating liquor without an occasional licenceAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

97 other schedules
s.002 MEANING OF “SUBSISTING LICENCE” (opens in a new tab)
s.004 APPLICATIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF LICENCES (opens in a new tab)
s.010 APPLICATIONS FOR EXTENSION LICENCES (opens in a new tab)
s.sch001 APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANT OF LICENCES (opens in a new tab)
s.sch001 A person who intends to make an application for the...
s.sch001 Where an application for the provisional grant of a licence...
s.sch001 A person who intends to make an application to have...
s.sch001 The notice mentioned in paragraph 11 shall be in such...
s.sch001 A sub-divisional commander upon whom notice is required by paragraph...
s.sch001 A person intending to object under paragraph 13 shall not...
s.sch001 Before or at the hearing of the application to have...
s.sch001 The notices mentioned in paragraph 1 shall specify the kind...
s.sch001 (1) The applicant shall attach to— (a) the notice mentioned...
s.sch001 In the case of an application for the grant of...
s.sch001 A sub-divisional commander upon whom notice is required by paragraph...
s.sch001 Any person having an estate in the premises specified in...
s.sch001 A person intending to object under paragraph 4 or 5...
s.sch001 A person who intends to make an application for an...
s.sch001 Part I shall apply in relation to an application for...
s.sch001 Article 7(4)(a) to (e)(i) shall apply in relation to an...
s.sch002 Except in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph 2 or 3,...
s.sch002 Notwithstanding anything in paragraph 1, a licence shall be treated...
s.sch002 Notwithstanding anything in paragraph 1, a licence shall be treated...
s.sch003 APPROVAL OF SITES, DISPOSAL OF SITES OR PREMISES AND GRANT OF LICENCES FOR PREMISES ON APPROVED SITES (opens in a new tab)
s.sch003 In this Schedule— “approved sites” has the meaning assigned to...
s.sch003 (1) Where, after steps have been taken by a housing...
s.sch003 A contract for the acquisition from a housing authority of...
s.sch003 Where a contract for the acquisition of an estate in...
s.sch003 Where a housing authority disposes of land within a re-development...
s.sch003 Any increase attributable to any provision of this Order in...
s.sch003 (1) A housing authority who proposes to make an application...
s.sch003 (1) A housing authority who intends to make an application...
s.sch003 (1) Where proposals made under paragraph 2 by a housing...
s.sch003 (1) A declaration shall, subject to sub-paragraph (2) remain in...
s.sch003 Where a declaration is in force approving any site as...
s.sch003 This Part applies where sites in a re-development area or...
s.sch003 The housing authority may dispose of— (a) the approved sites;...
s.sch003 (1) The housing authority shall serve on every person who...
s.sch004 The Department shall, during the month of July in each...
s.sch004 The Department of Justice shall, not less than 6 weeks...
s.sch004 A person who intends to make an application for the...
s.sch004 The notices mentioned in paragraph 3 shall specify the kind...
s.sch004 In the case of an application for the renewal of...
s.sch004 A sub-divisional commander upon whom notice is required by paragraph...
s.sch004 A person intending to object under paragraph 5 shall not...
s.sch004 Before the renewal date, the applicant shall deposit the licence...
s.sch004 Part I shall apply in relation to an application under...
s.sch005 A person who intends to make an application for the...
s.sch005 The notices mentioned in paragraph 1 shall specify the kind...
s.sch005 A sub-divisional commander upon whom notice is required by paragraph...
s.sch005 A person intending to object under paragraph 3 shall, not...
s.sch005 (1) Before or at the hearing of the application for...
s.sch005 Part I shall apply in relation to an application for...
s.sch005 Article 22(6) shall apply in relation to an application for...
s.sch006 APPLICATIONS FOR PROTECTION ORDERS AND AUTHORISATIONS OF TEMPORARY CONTINUANCE OF BUSINESSES (opens in a new tab)
s.sch006 In this Schedule “application” means an application for—
s.sch006 A person who intends to make an application shall, not...
s.sch006 The notice mentioned in paragraph 2 shall specify the kind...
s.sch006 (1) Where the application is for an order authorising the...
s.sch006 The sub-divisional commander upon whom notice is required by paragraph...
s.sch006 The court may consider the application, notwithstanding that the procedure...
s.sch007 APPLICATIONS FOR OCCASIONAL LICENCES (opens in a new tab)
s.sch007 In this Schedule “licence” means an occasional licence.
s.sch007 A person who intends to make an application for the...
s.sch007 Where a person owning, or residing or carrying on business...
s.sch007 The notice mentioned in paragraph 2 shall be in such...
s.sch007 The district commander mentioned in paragraph 2(a) may appear at...
s.sch007 The sub-divisional commander mentioned in paragraph 2(a), the district council...
s.sch007 The court may consider the application, notwithstanding that the procedure...
s.sch008 APPLICATIONS AND NOTICES UNDER ARTICLE 31 (opens in a new tab)
s.sch008 In this Part “application” means an application under Article 31(1)(i)....
s.sch008 A person who intends to make an application shall, not...
s.sch008 The notice mentioned in paragraph 2 shall specify the kind...
s.sch008 The applicant shall attach to— (a) the notice mentioned in...
s.sch008 The sub-divisional commander upon whom notice is required by paragraph...
s.sch008 A person intending to object under paragraph 5 shall, not...
s.sch008 The notice shall specify the kind of premises to which...
s.sch008 (1) The holder of the licence shall attach to the...
s.sch009 APPLICATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 43, 44 , 44A , 48 , 52E or 58A ... (opens in a new tab)
s.sch009 In this Schedule “application” means an application under Article 43,...
s.sch009 A person who intends to make an application shall, not...
s.sch009 A person who intends to make an application under Article...
s.sch009 The notice mentioned in paragraph 2 shall specify the kind...
s.sch009 The sub-divisional commander mentioned in paragraph 2(a), the district council...
s.sch009 A person intending to object under paragraph 4 shall, not...
s.sch009 The court may consider the application notwithstanding that the procedure...
s.sch010 In this Schedule “licence” means an extension licence.
s.sch010 In this Schedule authorisation” means an authorisation under Article 52F...
s.sch010 A person who intends to make an application for the...
s.sch010 The notice mentioned in paragraph 2 shall be in such...
s.sch010 The sub-divisional commander mentioned in paragraph 2(a) and the district...
s.sch010 A person intending to object under paragraph 4 shall, not...
s.sch010 The court or, as the case may be, the clerk...
s.sch012 TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND SAVINGS (opens in a new tab)
s.sch012 (1) Where, immediately before 15th June 1990, the authority conferred...
s.sch012 (1) Where, notwithstanding sections 23 and 24 of the Licensing...
s.sch012 The provisions in this Schedule shall have effect without prejudice...

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