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  • Alcohol licensing and registration of clubs

    Topics:
    • Law and legislation, 
    • Social law
    Legislation in relation to the sale of alcohol in licensed premises and the supply of alcohol in private member clubs.

    In Northern Ireland, alcohol may only be sold to the public in licensed premises. The Licensing (NI) Order 1996 specifies the categories of premises for which a licence may be granted.

    Private Members’ clubs which wish to supply alcohol to members and guests may apply for a certificate of registration under the Registration of Clubs (NI) Order 1996.

    The Department is responsible for the policy and legislation relating to the retail sale and supply of alcoholic drinks in Northern Ireland ; the courts are responsible for issuing licences; and the PSNI is responsible for enforcement.

    The Licensing and Regulation of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 (the Act) made changes to the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 and the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. The Department has produced a guide which provides a summary of each of these provisions. All of the changes effected by the Act have now commenced.

    More in this topic

    • Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 - Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 - codes of practice
    • Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 – Local producer’s licence: sales not on licensed premises
    • Major event orders

    Related to Alcohol licensing and registration of clubs

    Most recent publications

    • Report of the Independent Review of the Liquor Licensing system in Northern Ireland including the Surrender Principle

      Published 21 February 2025
    • Liquor Licences in Northern Ireland 2023

      Published 21 March 2024
    See all publications in this topic

    Most recent consultations

    • Consultation on liquor licensing laws in Northern Ireland

      Published 14 October 2019 Consultation closed
    • The sale and supply of alcoholic drinks at 'special events' in Northern Ireland

      Published 14 May 2019 Consultation closed
    See all consultations in this topic

    Most recent news items

    • Codes of Practice for licensed premises and registered clubs

      Published 3 July 2023
    • First substantial changes to licensing laws in 25 years to take place in October

      Published 29 September 2021
    See all news in this topic

    Access to information

    How to request information from the Department for Communities including Freedom of Information (FOI) and the use of our Publication Scheme. You may also request your own personal information, via a Right of Access Request.

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