SIA Licensing Law 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under what circumstances can a door supervisor search a patron?
- Anytime they want
- Only with the patron's consent, as a condition of entry to the premises (Correct answer)
- Only if police are present
- Only if they find drugs
Correct answer: Only with the patron's consent, as a condition of entry to the premises
Door supervisors can only search patrons with their voluntary consent, usually as a condition of entry. Forced searches could constitute assault.
Question 2: What does 'licensable activity' mean?
- Any activity in a licensed venue
- Sale of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment, or provision of late night refreshment (Correct answer)
- Only alcohol sales
- Any paid-entry event
Correct answer: Sale of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment, or provision of late night refreshment
The three licensable activities are: sale/supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment, and provision of late night refreshment (hot food/drink between 11pm-5am).
Question 3: What is the role of the licensing authority?
- To sell alcohol licences
- The local authority responsible for granting, reviewing, and enforcing premises licences (Correct answer)
- A private company that manages door supervisors
- The police department that monitors pubs
Correct answer: The local authority responsible for granting, reviewing, and enforcing premises licences
The local council's licensing committee makes decisions on licence applications, reviews, and variations based on the four licensing objectives.
Question 4: What is a 'relevant offence' in SIA licensing?
- Any traffic violation
- Specified criminal offences that may prevent someone from obtaining an SIA licence (Correct answer)
- Only drug offences
- Only violent offences
Correct answer: Specified criminal offences that may prevent someone from obtaining an SIA licence
Relevant offences include violence, sexual offences, drug supply, firearms, dishonesty, and certain other categories. The SIA considers the nature, circumstances, and time elapsed.
Question 5: What is 'vicarious liability' in licensing?
- Being liable for your own actions only
- Being held responsible for the actions of employees or agents acting in the course of their duties (Correct answer)
- Liability that only applies to police
- A type of insurance
Correct answer: Being held responsible for the actions of employees or agents acting in the course of their duties
Premises licence holders can be held liable for the actions of their staff (including door supervisors) if the offence occurred during the course of employment.
Question 6: What must be displayed at a licensed premises?
- The door supervisor's SIA licence number
- A summary of the premises licence or a club premises certificate (Correct answer)
- The owner's home address
- Nothing needs to be displayed
Correct answer: A summary of the premises licence or a club premises certificate
The summary of the premises licence must be prominently displayed. This shows the licensable activities permitted, hours, and any conditions.
SIA Licensing Law 4
Under what circumstances can a door supervisor search a patron?