Part I The General Licensing System
Interim authorities
F19A Interim authorities.
(1)
This section applies where the power of licensing justices to transfer a justices’ licence for any premises is exercisable by virtue of section 8(1) of this Act.
(2)
If the licensing justices are satisfied, on application made by notice in writing to the clerk to the licensing justices and to the chief officer of police, that the applicant—
(a)
is a fit and proper person, and
(b)
is not disqualified under this or any other Act for holding a justices’ licence,
the justices may grant him an authority (in this Act referred to as an “interim authority") conferring in respect of the premises the same authority as that conferred by the justices’ licence.
(3)
An interim authority shall be granted for a period of 28 days beginning with such date as may be specified in it.
(4)
If during the period for which an interim authority granted to any person is in force, an application for the transfer of the justices’ licence is made (whether by him or by any other person), the interim authority shall continue in force until the application is disposed of.
(5)
While an interim authority in respect of any premises is in force, the enactments relating to the sale of intoxicating liquor and to licensed premises (other than those relating to the renewal or transfer of licences or to protection orders) shall apply to the person granted the authority as if he were the holder of the justices’ licence.
(6)
The power conferred on licensing justices by subsection (2) of this section—
(a)
shall not be exercisable in relation to premises which are already the subject of an interim authority, and
(b)
shall not be exercisable more than twice in relation to each occasion on which the power to transfer a justices’ licence becomes exercisable as mentioned in subsection (1) of this section.