occasional licence
C1Formal, Legal/Administrative
Definition
Meaning
A temporary licence granted by a magistrate or other authority to sell alcoholic drinks at a specific event or location for a limited time.
Permission granted for the sale of alcohol outside the premises of a permanent licensed venue, often for events like festivals, weddings, markets, or private functions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a British and Commonwealth legal term. The concept exists in other jurisdictions but under different names (e.g., 'temporary permit', 'one-day license'). It is not a licence for something that happens occasionally, but a licence for a specific, one-off occasion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'occasional licence' is standard in UK, Irish, and Commonwealth law. In the US, the equivalent is typically a 'temporary permit', 'catering permit', or 'special event permit'. 'Occasional licence' is rarely used in American English.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries formal, legal connotations related to liquor licensing laws. In the US, the alternative terms are part of standard regulatory language but lack the specific historical/legal baggage of the UK term.
Frequency
High frequency in UK professional/legal contexts related to event planning, hospitality, and local government. Very low frequency in general American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [Authority] granted/gave/issued an occasional licence to [Applicant] for [Event].[Applicant/Venue] applied for/sought/holds an occasional licence.The sale of alcohol was permitted under an occasional licence.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specifically for this term.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Required for hospitality businesses (pubs, caterers) to operate a bar at an external event like a wedding or corporate function.
Academic
Found in studies of licensing law, public policy, or hospitality management.
Everyday
Used by individuals organising a community fete, village hall event, or private party where alcohol will be sold.
Technical
A precise term in UK Licensing Act 2003 and similar legislative frameworks, specifying conditions, duration, and responsible authorities.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The pub landlord secured an occasional licence to run a bar at the summer festival.
- Applying for an occasional licence involves notifying the local police.
American English
- The caterer had to get a temporary permit to serve champagne at the garden wedding. (Note: US equivalent)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- If you want to sell beer at the school fair, you need an occasional licence.
- The committee applied for an occasional licence to cover the three-day village fête.
- The terms of the occasional licence stipulated that alcohol could not be sold after 11 pm.
- Despite objections from a local resident, the magistrates' court saw fit to grant the occasional licence for the charity ball.
- The complexity of the application highlighted the difference between a premises licence and an occasional licence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A licence for a special OCCASION + AL. It's not 'occasional' as in rare, but for a defined occasion.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERMISSION IS A KEY. The occasional licence is a temporary key that unlocks the legal right to sell alcohol for a limited time.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation like 'случайная лицензия'. The correct conceptual translation is 'разовое разрешение' or 'временная лицензия (на продажу алкоголя)'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean a licence that is rarely used (e.g., 'I have an occasional licence to drive my tractor').
- Confusing it with a 'licence to Occasional' something.
- Capitalising it incorrectly as 'Occasional Licence' outside of legal document titles.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the term 'occasional licence'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A personal licence is held by an individual qualifying them to sell alcohol. An occasional licence is a permission for a specific event/location, often applied for by a personal licence holder or a business.
It varies by jurisdiction but is typically for a very short, defined period linked to a single event (e.g., 24 hours, a weekend, up to two weeks).
Usually, the applicant must be over 18, often must hold a relevant personal licence or be a representative of an authorised organisation (like a sports club), and must not be disqualified by law.
They refer to conceptually similar legal instruments. The difference is primarily terminological and rooted in the distinct historical development of UK and US liquor licensing laws.