Any application to the Licensing Court will be subject to the Licensing Court Rules 2014.
NB These dates may change throughout the year and interested persons should check prior to making an application to ensure the correct date is identified.
Monthly Licensing Courts 2024
The Licensing Court is chaired by Her Worship the Deputy High Bailiff accompanied by up to four magistrates. The court usually sits on the second Thursday of each month in a public court.
Thursday May 9th
Thursday June 13th
Thursday July 11th
Thursday August 8th
Thursday September 12th
Thursday October 10th
Thursday November 14th
Thursday December 12th
The Licensing Court deals with applications for:
-
on-licences (and any variation of)
-
off-licences (and any variation of)
-
passenger vessels licences
-
designated officials
-
music & dancing licences (and any variation of)
-
registration of clubs (and any variation of)
-
club secretary
-
occasional licences
-
cinematograph
-
weekly club and charity functions.
After receiving the application, the court grants the licences either at court, or in some instances, licences can be issued administratively in private chambers.
All Licensing Court Applications (together with all relevant supporting documentation) must be submitted to the court, in duplicate, together with the relevant fee. Failure to do so will result in your application being returned.
| Type of application | Form(s) | Guidance notes |
|---|---|---|
| On-Licence/Passenger Vessel application | LLP10/ON | Licensing form guidance notes |
| Off-Licence application | LLP10/OFF | |
| Company Information | LLP10/A | |
| Club Registration | LLP10/CLUB | |
| Music and Dancing | LC6 LC7 |
|
| Occasional Licence | LC3 LC4 |
Marquees and Tented structures Fire Service letter Fire Service guidelines LC4 guidance notes |
| Designated Official (DO) | LL/1 | Writing a reference for a Designated Official |
| Temporary Designated Official/Licensee | LL/5 | |
| Resignation/removal of Designated Official/Licencee | LL/6 | Notification of... |
| Change in Club Secretary | Letter application | see below |
| Amendments to Licenced Premises | Letter application | see below |
| Cinematograph | LC8 LC8A LC9 LC9A |
LC8G LC8AG LC9G LC9AG |
Guidance
Applications without specific forms
Application to change the Secretary of a Club
A letter application should be sent to the court requesting the change of secretary together with a minute of the club’s decision to change secretary and the relevant fee.
NB: All documentation should be submitted in duplicate. The letter should include full details of the new secretary and indicate which court sitting they wish to attend. Upon receipt, the court will inform the new secretary of a court date on which he/she should appear before the Licensing Bench.
Application to amend a licensed premises
A letter application should be sent to the court requesting the changes to be made together with plans detailing the proposed changes and the relevant fee. All documentation must be submitted and advertised in accordance with the time scales set out in the Licensing Court Rules 2014.
NB: All documentation should be submitted in duplicate.
Weekly Special Permissions/Charitable Function Licences
Special permissions are weekly applications submitted by clubs to ask permission to hold a function where non club members will be attending. These may be considered by Her Worship, sitting alone, every Thursday. Applications must be lodged at the court office with the appropriate fee and supporting documentation by close of business on the Friday prior to the Thursday on which the applications are to be considered. Failure to comply will result in applications not being considered. Licences are made available for collection at the Courts of Justice public counter each Friday at 12 Noon. One (white) copy is retained by the applicant and the other copy (pink) should be forwarded, by the applicant, to the local police station in the vicinity of the event. Failure to collect the licences will be reported to the Police Alcohol Unit.
Special Permissions
Charitable Function
Applications should be sent, in duplicate, to the following address:
Licensing Clerk
Summary Courts Office
Deemsters Walk
Bucks Road
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 3AR
Legislation
The following Acts and Rules apply for Licensing matters
- The Licensing Act 1995
- The Licensing (Amendment) Act 2001
- The Licensing Regulations 1996
- The Licensing Court Rules 2014
- The Licensing Court of Appeal Rules 1996
- The Music and Dancing Acts 1961 to 1976
- The Cinematograph Act 1977
Copies of the legislation can be obtained from the Manx Legislation website.
For any queries which are not answered by the information contained on this page, please email the Licensing section