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

Underage functions

36.—(1) After Article 32 of the Registration of Clubs Order insert—

“Authorisation for underage functions

32A.— (1) On the application of the secretary of a registered club, the district commander for the police district in which the club is situated may, in writing, grant an authorisation under this Article.

(2) An authorisation under this Article may authorise the club to hold an underage function—

(a) in such part of the club premises as is specified in the authorisation, and

(b) on the day so specified during such hours as are so specified ending no later than 1 in the morning of the next day.

(3) In this Article, “underage function” means a function which is designed to appeal to persons under the age of 18 in particular.

(4) A district commander must not grant an authorisation under this Article unless the district commander is satisfied that suitable arrangements are in place for securing that persons under the age of 18 attending the function do not have access to any part of the premises which is used for the supply, consumption or storage of intoxicating liquor.

(5) It is a condition of an authorisation under this Article that, during the period for which the authorisation is in force—

(a) each dispenser of intoxicating liquor at a bar in the part of the club premises for which the authorisation is in force must be incapable of operation, and

(b) access to any other container of intoxicating liquor in that part must be prevented.

(6) If the condition in paragraph (5) is contravened, the registered club and every official of the club at the time of the contravention are each guilty of an offence and each liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(7) A registered club must not, during the period for which an authorisation under this Article is in force—

(a) supply intoxicating liquor to a person aged 18 or over in the part of the premises in which the authorisation is in force; or

(b) permit a person aged 18 or over to consume intoxicating liquor in the part of the premises in which the authorisation is in force.

(8) If paragraph (7) is contravened—

(a) the registered club;

(b) every official of the club at the time of the contravention; and

(c) the person supplying the intoxicating liquor or, as the case may be, permitting the consumption of the intoxicating liquor,

are each guilty of an offence and each liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(9) A person aged 18 or over who consumes intoxicating liquor in a part of club premises for which an authorisation under this Article is in force 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 32 of the Registration of Clubs Order (prohibition on young persons from bars), in paragraph (13), after sub-paragraph (c) insert

“; or

(d) in a part of club premises for which an authorisation under Article 32A is in force or during the first 30 minutes after the authorisation has ceased to be in force.”.

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

“32A(6) or (8)

Contravening conditions on access to intoxicating liquor; supplying intoxicating liquor to, or permitting consumption of it by, a person aged 18 or over during underage function

3-4”

(4) In Article 106 of the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (use of gaming machines in registered clubs), after paragraph (7) insert—

“(7A) No gaming machine shall be made available in any premises mentioned in paragraph (1) for which an authorisation under Article 32A of the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (underage functions) is in force during the period for which it is in force.”.