FIRST CASE AGAINST A PUBWATCH SCHEME TO BE TAKEN TO THE HIGH COURT

A claimant has been granted permission to challenge at the High Court a decision made by the Haverhill Pubwatch Scheme, which saw him excluded from all licensed premises in the town of Haverhill, Suffolk.

Thomas Cross, of FTB, is acting on behalf of the claimant, Mr. Frank Boyle, who will challenge the lawfulness of his ban as well as the decision making process that led to it.

This is the first time that a clain against a ban made by a Pubwatch Scheme has been allowed to be heard at the High Court by way of a Judicial Review. In August 2008 a claimant, who had been banned by the Buckingham Pubwatch scheme from licensed premises in Buckingham was refused permission to challenge the ban.

The decision will have important consequences for the operation of Pubwatch schemes up and down the country and especially the role of the police and licensing authorities in such schemes. A hearing date is awaited.