What is the police view of current licensing legislation?
The Lords Committee investigating the Licensing Act will next week question senior police chiefs and lawyers on the effectiveness of the law.
On Tuesday 8 November representatives from the National Police Chiefs' Council, the Police Superintendents' Association, and the Police and Crime Commissioner from Devon and Cornwall, will attend the Committee's evidence session.
Also giving evidence, in a separate session, will be expert lawyers on licensing issues.
At 10:30am the Committee will put questions to ACC Rachel Kearton, National Police Chiefs' Council, Chief Superintendent Gavin Thomas, Police Superintendents' Association, and Alison Hernandez, Devon and Cornwall PCC.
They will be asked about the late night levy, the growth of off-trade and its impact on public life, the issue of training for police, and the strengths and weaknesses of the night time economy.
Then at 11.40am the Committee will question Gerald Gouriet QC, Andrew Cochrane, Senior Partner and Head of Licensing, Flint Bishop Solicitors, and Paul Douglas, Managing Director, Douglas Licensing (NW).
These witnesses, all of whom have extensive experience of appearing before licensing committees and, on appeal, before magistrates' courts, will be asked their views on the effectiveness of the Licensing Act 2003, how well licensing committees are carrying out their duties, and the appeal system at magistrates' courts.
The evidence sessions will start at 10.30am next Tuesday 8 November in Committee Room 3A.
