The House of Lords Licensing Act 2003 Committee will next week look at how well the legislation is working in practice.
On Tuesday 1 November legal experts and magistrates will give evidence to the Committee.
At 10:45am the Committee will ask questions about the Act, scope for improvement, how well Licensing Sub-Committees are working, and the effectiveness of the appeal system. These questions will be put to:
- Jonathan Smith, Partner, Poppleston Allen;
- John Gaunt, Partner, John Gaunt & Partners; and
- Professor Roy Light, Barrister, St John’s Chambers
Then at 11.40am the Committee will ask questions about the role of Magistrates, their level of knowledge, how well the appeals system works, and suitable sanctions. These questions will be put to:
- Judge Emma Arbuthnot, Chief Magistrate;
- District Judge Elizabeth Roscoe, Westminster Magistrates’ Court; and
- Sheena Jowett JP, Vice Chairman, Magistrates’ Association
The evidence sessions will start at 10.45am next Tuesday 1 November in Committee Room 3A.