8.—(1) An application for the grant of a bookmaker's licence shall be made to a court of summary jurisdiction.
(2) The procedure for applications for the grant of bookmakers' licences is set out in Schedule 1.
(3) On an application for the grant of a bookmaker's licence the court shall hear the objections, if any, made under Schedule 1.
(4) A court shall, subject to paragraph (5), refuse an application for the grant of a bookmaker's licence unless it is satisfied—
(a)that the procedure relating to the application set out in Schedule 1 has been complied with; and
(b)that the applicant is a fit person to hold a bookmaker's licence; and
(c)that the applicant is not a person in respect of whom a disqualification order under Article 30 or 53 is in force; and
(d)that the applicant has not been refused the grant or renewal of a bookmaker's licence on the ground mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) or (e)[F1 or in Article 17(2)(d)] within the immediately preceding 12 months; and
(e)that the applicant will not allow the business proposed to be carried on under the bookmaker's licence to be managed by, or carried on for the benefit of, a person other than the applicant who would himself be refused the grant of a bookmaker's licence.
(5) A court may grant a bookmaker's licence notwithstanding that the procedure relating to the application set out in Schedule 1 has not been complied with if, having regard to the circumstances, it is reasonable to do so.
(6) A court may refuse an application for the grant of a bookmaker's licence if it is satisfied that the applicant has been convicted of an offence under this Part[F2 or Chapter III of Part III] or Part I of the [1957 c. 19 (N.I.)] Betting and Lotteries Act (Northern Ireland) 1957.
(7) Where the court refuses an application for the grant of a bookmaker's licence, it shall specify in its order the reasons for its refusal.