Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005

2005 asp 16

Commentary on Parts

Part 4 – Occasional Licences

Section 56 – Occasional licence

119. Subsection (1) provides a power for Licensing Boards to grant an occasional licence for premises other than licensed premises to those persons specified in subsection (2). For a premises licence holder this would be to authorise the sale of alcohol in the course of catering for an event taking place outwith their licensed premises. A typical example of where this might arise would be the provision of catering, including the sale of alcohol, at a wedding reception or other social event held on private property. Voluntary organisations may also apply for an occasional licence authorising the sale of alcohol at an event connected with the organisation’s activities.

120. Subsection (5) sets out a maximum duration of 14 days for each occasional licence. Subsection (6) confirms the limits on the number of occasional licences that Licensing Boards can issue within a year to a voluntary organisation.

121. Subsection (7) provides a power for the Scottish Ministers to set out in regulations the form of occasional licences and subsection (8) sets out the mandatory content of occasional licences in paragraphs (a) to (j).

122. Subsection (9) clarifies that premises for which an occasional licence has been granted may sell alcohol at different times for consumption both on and off the premises.