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  • Social law

    Topics:
    • Law and legislation
    Information on the development of policy and promotion of legislation on liquor licensing, gambling, clubs registration, pavement cafés, opening hours for shops, street trading, and the control of unauthorised encampments.

    Legislation

    Social Policy Unit is responsible for the following legislation:

    • Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021
    • Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011
    • The Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996
    • The Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996
    • The Registration of Clubs (Accounts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022
    • The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985
    • The Licensing of Pavement Cafés Act (Northern Ireland) 2014
    • The Shops (Sunday Trading &c.) (NI) Order 1997
    • Street Trading Act (Northern Ireland) 2001
    • The Unauthorised Encampments (Northern Ireland ) Order 2005
    • Miscellaneous Transferred Excise Duties Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

    Leaflets and guides

    • Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 - guide
    • Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011- guide
    • The Licensing (NI) Order 1996 - guide
    • Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) 1996 - guide
    • Club Accounts Regulations 2022 Guidance Notes
    • Leaflet on prize competitions in Northern Ireland
    • The Law on Lotteries in Northern Ireland - leaflet
    • The Law on Gaming Machines in Northern Ireland - leaflet
    • The Law on Bingo in Northern Ireland - leaflet
    • Sunday Trading Law in Northern Ireland - leaflet
    • Street Trading Act (NI) 2001 - guide
    • Unauthorised Encampments NI Order 2005 - guide

    More in this topic

    • Alcohol licensing and registration of clubs
    • Betting, gaming, lotteries and amusements
    • Pavement cafes
    • Street trading
    • Unauthorised encampments
    • Shop opening

    Related to Social law

    Most recent publications

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

      Published 21 February 2025
    • FOI Disclosure Log - DFC/2024-0240

      Published 20 December 2024
    See all publications in this topic

    Most recent consultations

    • First review of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021

      Published 17 February 2025 Consultation closed
    • Consultation on Article 180A of The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985: Initial Gambling Code of Practice

      Published 1 October 2024 Consultation closed
    See all consultations in this topic

    Most recent news items

    • Anti-social behaviour public consultation responses published

      Published 10 April 2025
    • Launch of an anti-social behaviour consultation

      Published 11 December 2023
    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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