The annual licensing court deals with a number of applications as set out below. These licences are attached to main pub/club/hotel licence.
Where to make your application
Where the premises/business is based will determine which district the licensing application will need to be made.
For applications submitted in CSOL, the legal practitioner will select the correct district. For manual applications, you will need to identify the district using the map of District Court areas.
When does it take place
The annual licensing court takes place every year in September as the licensing year runs from the 30th of September each year to 12:00am (midnight) on the 30th of September of the following year.
The annual licensing court for each District Court area is held at the last court sitting in September each year. For Dublin Metropolitan District (DMD), the annual licensing court is held over a number of dates at the end of September due to the volume of applications.
If your application is not granted on the day of the annual licensing court, it will be adjourned to the return sitting of the annual licensing court. This is usually the end of the following month.
It is important to know that you cannot submit brand new applications to the adjourned annual licensing court if they were not included in the September list.
How to prepare for the annual licensing court
Every application has different requirements and the accompanying documents vary. You or your solicitor should start preparing for the renewal application many months before the licence is due to be renewed.
There are a number of supporting documents/"proofs" to be submitted to the court office where possible in advance of the annual licencing court. You or your solicitor are responsible for ensuring all proofs are in order.
Any outstanding "proofs" should be submitted on the day of the sitting.
What happens in the annual licensing court
If your application is not granted at the annual licensing court the judge may adjourn the matter to the adjourned (return sitting) annual licensing court. This is to allow any extra time required to lodge remaining proofs or to deal with any outstanding matters in relation to your application.
The adjourned annual licensing court usually takes place at the end of October.
Any person may attend the annual licensing court and object to, for example, a dance licence. See our objections page for a formal objection to the renewal of an intoxicating liquor licence.
Annual licensing court applications
- Club renewal
This application allows a club to renew their annual club licence.
- Annual dance licence
This application allows for dancing on a licensed premises.
- Music and singing licence
This application allows for music and signing on a licensed premises.
- Restaurant certificate
This application allows food and alcohol (full on-licence or wine and bottled beer only) to be served on a premises which currently a restaurant only.
- Certificate of transfer of on-licence
This application allows an on-licence to be fully transferred to another person who wishes to renew the licence as the new licence holder.
- Objections to renewal of intoxicating liquor licence
This application allows a person or a member of the guards to object to the renewal of a pub licence or to attached licenses for specific grounds allowed by law.
