07 September 2008


New Licence

This page will tell you how to apply for a new licence.

Application for a licence to take effect post transition
Applicants must:

  • Completed application form 
  • Be aged 18 or over
  • Completed declaration form that since the justices' licence was issued or renewed the applicant has not/has been convicted of a relevant offences (as specified in Schedule 4 of the Act) or foreign offences.
  • Enclose a copy of their accredited licensing qualification or evidence that they are a prescribed person.
  • Enclose 2 photographs
  • Enclose a criminal conviction check

A copy of the application needs to be given to your Chief Officer of Police within 48 hours of the application being made.

What qualifications do I need?
You must hold an accredited licesing qualification (details of which can be found on the BIIAB website from the link below) or be a prescribed person.

Prescribed persons are:

  • A member of the company of the Master, Wardens, Freemen and Commonality of the Mistery of the Vintners of the City of London
  • A person operating premises under a licence granted by the University of Cambridge
  • A person operating premises under a licence granted by the Board of the Green

What photographs must I enclose?
Two photographs, on photographic paper, must be

  • taken against a light background so that your features are distinguishable and contrast against the background
  • 45 millimetres by 35 millimetres
  • full face uncovered and without sunglasses and, unless the applicant wears a head covering due to their religious beliefs, without a head covering

One photograph of the applicant must be endorsed with a statement verifying it as a true likeness by

  • a solicitor or notary
  • a person of standing in the community
  • an individual with a professional qualification.

What is a criminal conviction check?
A criminal conviction check is:

  • a criminal conviction certificate issued under section 112 of the Police Act 1997(a)
  • a criminal record certificate issued under section 113A of the Police Act 1997 or
  • the results of a subject access search under the Data Protection Act 1998(b) of the Police National Computer by the National Identification Service.

The certificate or search result must be issued no earlier than one calendar month before the application is made.

Decision making
If you meet all the criteria above you will be granted the licence, but if you have a relevant criminal conviction the police will be able to object on the grounds of crime prevention. In which case, a hearing will be held by the Council's licensing committee, and a decision made. If you are convicted of a relevant offence whilst your application is being processed you must notify the Council.

If you do not meet any of the other criteria we do not have any discretion to decide the matter, the law requires us to reject your application.

Timing
Personal licences will not come into effect until the second appointed day (November 2005)

Application
If you wish to apply for a licence you can either: