District Court licencing
Brief summary of licensing business
- Licensing matters as they relate to intoxicating liquor licences (objections to and transfer of)
- Restaurant certificates
- Club registrations
- Public dance licences
- Public music and singing licences
- Exemption orders and such like
Each year in September the annual licensing court takes place. Some of the matters dealt with are:
- Renewal of restaurant certificates
- Renewal of club registrations
- Renewal of annual public dance licences
- Renewal of public music and singing licences
- Objections to the renewal of liquor licences
- Transfers of liquor licences
Fees
A fee is payable on the great majority of licensing applications. Details of these fees are available in the District Court Fees Order.
Applications
Precedents for the several applications which can be made to the court are available in the District Court Rules.
Register of licences
A register of licences is kept in the office containing particulars of all licences for the sale of intoxicating liquors existing in respect of premises within the court area and of all renewals, transfers and other proceedings affecting the said licences. The register also contains details of convictions and other matters relating to the licences. In addition, the register contains particulars of off-licences (beer and spirit) and wholesale beer dealers’ licences.
Any person is permitted to inspect this register on payment of the relevant fee.
Register of clubs
A register of clubs is kept containing details of the name of the clubs in the court area, the date of granting of and renewal of the certificate of registration, the address of the club, and the names and addresses of the committee and officials of the club.
Any person is permitted to inspect this register and a copy of the club rules on payment of the relevant fee.
Orders requiring court approval
- Wine off-licence certificates
- Spirit, beer and wine off-licence certificates
- Wholesale beer dealers’ licence certificates
- Orders to amend the licensing register
- Certificates of revival (orders made under section 30 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1960)
- Lottery and bingo licences
Dublin Metropolitan licensing applications
All licensing applications in the Dublin Metropolitan District must be made in Court No. 23, Áras Uí Dhálaigh, Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin 7.
During District Court vacation periods, applications will be directed to the appropriate District Court by the Licensing Office in Áras Uí Dhálaigh.
Practice & Procedure 2025
General requirements for all applications
The Dublin District Annual Licensing Court will be held in Court No. 23, Four Courts, Dublin 7.
Applications should be lodged as early as possible and no later than Monday 8 September 2025 at 12:30 p.m.
- Ensure that all documents are lodged together
- Applications will not be listed unless complete
- Include the name and full address of the solicitor/applicant
- Provide a copy of your notice of application for your records
- State the type of intoxicating liquor licence attached to the premises
Confirmations and certificates of transfer – 25 September 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
- Notice of application stamped with €150 per licence
- Details of licence type and previous licensee
- Statutory declaration of service (non-CSOL) on notice parties
- Original newspaper advertisement (published at least 21 days before the court date)
- Relevant company documents if applicable
- Certified copy of stamped deed of title or lease
- Current licence (for court)
Objections – 25 September 2025 at 11:30 a.m.
- Notice of objection stamped with €35
- Served on licensee at least 21 clear days before the hearing
- Statutory declaration of service (non-CSOL) on notice parties
- Filed with Licensing Office by 9 September 2025
General exemptions – 25 September 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
- Notice of application stamped with €150
- Statutory declaration of service (non-CSOL) on notice parties
- Independent auditor/accountant’s certificate or company secretary’s certificate
Clubs – 26 September 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
- Notice of application stamped with €655
- Details of club activities
- Statutory declaration of service
- Original newspaper advertisement (published at least 21 days before the court date)
- Two up-to-date copies of the club rules
- Club statutory certificate (signed by club owner/secretary and two Peace Commissioners)
- Up-to-date list of members (USB accepted for large lists)
- Names, addresses, and titles of current committee members
- Relevant company documents if applicable
Dance licences – 29 September 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
- Notice of application stamped with €490
- Details of intoxicating liquor licence attached to premises
- Statutory declaration of service (non-CSOL) on notice parties
- Original newspaper advertisement
- Public liability insurance certificate
- Relevant company documents
- Fire safety compliance certificate
- CCTV confirmation
- Security details
Music and singing licences – 3 October 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
- Notice of application stamped with €150
- Statutory declaration of service (non-CSOL) on notice parties
- Independent auditor/accountant’s certificate or company secretary’s certificate
- Up-to-date company printout
- Additional documents for new applications if applicable
Restaurants – 6 October 2025 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
- Notice of application stamped with €150
- Statutory declaration of service (non-CSOL) on notice parties
- Independent auditor/accountant’s certificate or company secretary’s certificate
- Up-to-date company printout
- If a restaurant certificate was granted in the Circuit Court in the last 12 months, provide a copy
- Additional documents for new applications if applicable
