Alcohol licensing: mandatory conditions

The Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2014 (SI 2014/2440) came into force on 1 October 2014. It revised mandatory conditions originally introduced in April 2010. The 2014 Order means there are mandatory conditions to:

• ban irresponsible promotions.
• ensure free potable water for customers.
• ensure that small measures of beers, wine and spirits are offered and that customers are made aware of them.
• ensure that all those who sell or supply alcohol have an age verification policy in place requiring them to ask anyone who looks under 18 for proof of age.

The Home Office has published guidance on the conditions (PDF) (September 2014).

A mandatory condition banning the sale of alcohol below the “permitted price”, defined as alcohol duty plus VAT, came into force in May 2014. The Home Office has published guidance on this condition (PDF)(March 2017).

This Briefing refers to the law in England and Wales.