Assessors are needed for the new late night economy 'gold standard'

The winners of the 2008 Responsible Drinks Retailing Awards were announced on 11 November

Nine areas of the country are to pilot a new alcohol arrest referral scheme

A woman from Gloucester, Massachusetts has received a jail sentence for providing alcohol to 12- and 13- year old children

Private hire firms fixing or co-ordinating prices for services in the area are being warned by the Office of Fair Trading that they may be breaking the law

Local authorities must consider whether applicants for hackney carriages are likely to use them entirely or predominately for private hire outside of their area, and may refuse to grant the licence if that is the case

A multimillion-pound alcohol improvement programme to help areas worst hit by alcohol problems is due to be launched today at the national alcohol conference in Nottingham

207,800 licences and certificates were in force in England and Wales on 31 March 2008, with late night refreshment, live music and 24 hour alcohol licences all showing a small increase in the numbers issued in the last year, according to new statistics published by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport

People who move near to noisy pubs have little grounds for complaint, the High Court has ruled, which has implications for interested parties before local authority licensing committees

A three-point strategy for helping councils and fire services improve protections for consumers and workers and provide better regulatory support to business has been published

Four men have been arrested by police in Burnley - using decoy taxis

It has long been recognised that private hire and hackney carriage drivers have one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. On average, three drivers a year are murdered at work

The Institute of Licensing is delighted to announce the appointment of Jim Hunter as Training and Qualifications Officer, effective from 1 October 2008.

This 2 day course will be held on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 December 2008 in Preston.

Trainer: David Armstrong

A mixture of practical and classroom exercises

Interview techniques

Case preparation, statements and reports

This course is aimed at those with a basic knowledge of PACE who wish to build on their experience.

Who should attend:

licensing officers

police officers

lawyers

regulatory officers, such as EHOs/planning officers

Please ensure that you supply an order number on the form where indicated.

Once the closing date has been reached 6 October, or the course is full, invoices will be despatched.

Course numbers are limited to 24. It is anticipated that these will go quickly so book early to avoid disappointment!

On 12 December 2008 the London region of the Institute of Licensing is pleased to have one of the most experienced and respected licensing barristers in the country.

Stephen Walsh from 3 Raymond Buildings will talk about a case in the administrative court in which the judge decided that the fact that a complainant about noise nuisance moved to the area in knowledge that a pub was located nearby, was relevant to a court's consideration of the complaint.

With other speakers covering the law relating to tables and chairs on the highway, and advice on licensing applications and representations through the Citizens' Advice Bureaux, this is set for an entertaining event - with mince pies thrown in too!

For more details contact regional secretary Julie Sawyer at julia@jslconsultancy.co.uk or book online. The meeting will be held at Camden Council Offices starting at 9.30am