The significant trade in illicit and counterfeit tobacco ‘under the counter’ in off licences and convenience stores is prevalent throughout the country and raises enforcement challenges for both Trading Standards and Licensing Departments in Local Authorities as well as the Police. In many cases this activity is a front for and a source of income for organised crime. In some cases, the methods of concealment and delivery of the tobacco products are becoming very sophisticated.
This course will provide a detailed examination of the problems, the relevant legislation and the possible offences and prosecution processes. The course will then look in detail at the potential consequences for the Premises Licence, the Premises Licence Holder and the Designated Premises Supervisor.
A practical Case Study, based on an actual case, will be used to illustrate the main points of law and procedure and to promote discussion.
This course is suitable for practitioners with some experience of prosecution work for Trading Standards, as well as those involved in advising the Licensing function including the Committee.
Stephen D. Turner, MStJ., MIoL, LLB
Stephen Turner is a solicitor with Kingston upon Hull City Council and specialises in regulatory prosecutions and licensing. He qualified in 1986 and was in private practice before moving into local government in 1994. Stephen has been solely responsible for advice to the Council and its Officers on all aspects of licensing law and procedure since 2004. He advises the Committee and Officers in connection with all applications, reviews, prosecutions, and appeals concerning licensing matters from taxis and private hire to sex shops, zoos and scrap metal dealers and is Legal Advisor to the Committee when in session. Stephen also deals with advocacy arising from decisions of the Committee by way of appeals or from the prosecution of offenders under all relevant legislation. Stephen is an experienced prosecutor for the regulatory departments of the Council dealing with all types of high-end cases from counterfeiting to food safety and fraud.
Stephen has presented lectures, workshops, and seminars to a variety of audiences including magistrates, solicitors, members of the Institute of Licensing, Council Members and Officers and others within his areas of interest and expertise.
Steve is a Past National Chair of Solicitors in Local Government (SLG now Lawyers in Local Government (LLG)), a former Chair and Branch Secretary of the Yorkshire and the Humber Branch of SLG/LLG, and the Litigation and Licensing Deputy National Lead (Licensing) for LLG. Steve is also the Vice Chairman of the Northeast Region of the Institute of Licensing (IoL) and an Independent Trainer, Lecturer, Mentor and Consultant. Steve chaired the IoL’s Working Party in 2018 which produced and published the Guidance on the relevance of previous convictions in Hackney and Private Hire Licencing.
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09:30 - 13:00
Online
