Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021

Major events

34.—(1) After Article 26 of the Registration of Clubs Order (but before the following cross-heading), insert—

“Major event orders

Extension of permitted hours for major events

26A.— (1) Where the Department considers that an event which is to take place in Northern Ireland will attract significant public interest (whether throughout Northern Ireland or in certain areas only), it may make an order (a “major event order”) which—

(a) designates the event as a major event, and

(b) provides that, during the period specified in the order, the permitted hours for registered clubs to which the order applies are the hours specified in the order.

(2) A major event order may apply to all registered clubs in Northern Ireland as a whole or in the area or areas specified.

(3) In specifying an area for the purposes of paragraph (2), a major event order may in particular do so by reference to the place or premises at which the event is to take place or the area in the vicinity of the place or premises.

(4) A major event order may impose conditions.

(5) The Department may vary or revoke a major event order; and the circumstances in which it may revoke an order include, in a case where the period specified under paragraph (1)(b) includes two or more days, circumstances in which it considers it necessary to do so because of disorder, or expected disorder, at or in the vicinity of the place or premises at which the event is taking place.

(6) The period specified in a major event order may not include Christmas Day.

(7) The hours specified in a major event order have effect in addition to the hours permitted by any authorisation under Article 26 which applies to a registered club to which the major event order applies.

(8) A major event order may make consequential, incidental or supplementary provision (including provision which modifies provisions of this Order for the purpose of giving effect to the major event order).

(9) Before making a major event order, the Department must consult such persons as it considers appropriate.

(10) Any person acting in contravention of a condition imposed by a major event order is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.”.

(2) In Article 2 of the Registration of Clubs Order (interpretation), in paragraph (2), in the definition of “permitted hours”, for “Article 26” substitute “Articles 26 and 26A”.

(3) In Part 1 of Schedule 6 to the Registration of Clubs Order (penalty points for offences punishable with level 3 fine) at the appropriate place insert—

“26A(10)

Contravening condition of major event order

3-4”