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Review: Draft Alcohol Licensing Law Review

Committee/Panel: Economic and International Affairs Panel
Launch Date: 20 February 2026 Close Date: 2 March 2026
Review Status: Comments published
Review Report: Draft Alcohol Licensing (Jersey) Law 202- (P.112/2025): Comments

Additional Report(s):

About

The Draft Alcohol Licensing (Jersey) Law 202- [P.112/2025] was lodged au Greffe on 8th December 2025 by the Minster for Sustainable Economic Development. An amendment [P.112/2025 Amd.] was lodged au Greffe on 7th January 2026 by the Comité des Connétables (hereafter referred to as “the Comité”), for which the Minister presented comments on 16th January 2026 [P.112/2025 Amd.Com.]. This primarily aims to transfer the responsibility of issuing Alcohol Licencing to the Parishes rather than the Gambling Commission as proposed in the draft Law.

The principles of the draft Law were adopted on 22nd January 2026, The Panel did not exercise its right to refer the Articles of the draft Law under Standing Order 72 (1)  to it at that time. In accordance with Standing Order 73 the States Assembly agreed that the 2nd reading of a draft Law would take place at the sitting of 24th February 2025.

The Minister subsequently lodged a further Amendment on 10th February 2026 [P.112/2025 Amd.(4).]. This primarily aims to transfer the responsibility of issuing Alcohol Licencing to the Government of Jesey, through the Regulation Directorate, rather than the Gambling Commission as proposed in the draft Law.

The Panel questioned the Minister about the draft Law and his Amendment at its Quarterly Hearing held 12th February 2026. During this the Minister identified that he was willing to defer the debate of the draft Law in second reading, indicating a preference for the States Assembly sitting of the 10th March 2026.

Following consideration, the Panel has agreed that it would be useful to consider the Articles of the draft Law and the Minister’s Amendment in order to provide further clarity on the practical implications to Alcohol Licencing and achievement of the adopted principles.

Although it will be mindful of the Amendments made by the Comité, Deputy Curtis and Deputy Bailhache, the Panel will focus its Review on the Minister’s Proposals.

The Panel has identified that answers to the following key questions on the Minister’s Proposals would be beneficial:

  • How will the process of applying for and holding an Alcohol Licence be improved?
  • How will the existing roles of the Minister, Regulation Directorate, Parishes, and Licensing Assembly be altered?
  • What are the resource implications?
  • Who will decide Alcohol Licensing Policy?
  • Who will have responsibility and powers of enforcement of Alcohol licenses?
  • What appeals process will be in place?
  • What secondary legislation or further work will be required if the proposals are adopted?

Terms of reference

  1. To review key elements of the Draft Alcohol Licensing (Jersey) Law 202- and the Minister’s for Sustainable Economic Development (fourth Amendment)
  2. To consider the adequacy and practicality of the proposed mechanism and operation of Alcohol Licensing.
  3. To review the governance, cost and resource implications of the licence application process and criteria.
  4. To engage with the Government of Jersey, Businesses and the Jersey Public to ascertain their views on the benefits and challenges of the proposed draft Law.
  5. Any additional areas that the Panel deem to be relevant to the Review.