Hypnotism Licence

Exhibitions, demonstration or performance of hypnotism which take place in public require to be authorised by the Local Authority.

Completing your application

How to apply

Please contact 01546 605522.

Your application must contain:

  • the date and venue for the performance
  • the name, address and date of birth of the hypnotist(s)

Regulation Summary 

The Hypnotism Act 1952 regulates the demonstration of hypnotic phenomena for the purposes of public entertainment.

Fees

There is no fee.

Contact Details

Area Governance Assistant
Argyll and Bute Council
The Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre, East Clyde Street, G84 7PG

Area Governance Assistant
Argyll and Bute Council
22 Hill Street, Dunoon PA23 7AP

Consumer Complaint

Head of Legal and Regulatory Support
Argyll and Bute Council
Kilmory, Lochgilphead PA31 8RT

Eligibility Criteria

Any individual or organisation can apply.

The application process

 Applications must be in writing (using this form) to the local authority at least one month before the date of performance.

Appeals

 If you have made an application for a licence and it has been refused

You may ask us for the reasons for our decision to refuse your application within 21 days of the decision date.

You may appeal to the sheriff against the decision, within 28 days of the decision, as long as you have already followed any available procedure to state your case to ourselves.

The appeal will only be successful if the sheriff considers that we, in making our decision, had:

  • erred in law
  • based our decision on an incorrect material fact
  • acted contrary to natural justice
  • exercised our discretion in an unreasonable manner

You may then appeal on a point of law from the sheriff's decision to the Court of Session within 28 days from the date of the sheriff’s decision.

Appeals - Licence Holders

Appeals against the refusal of an application must be made to the Sheriff Principal of North Strathclyde, Paisley Sheriff Court, St James Street, Paisley, PA3 2AW.

You may appeal if we decide to suspend a licence, not to renew a licence, or not to consent to material changes to the premises or vehicle used in the course of a licence holder's work. You may appeal against the decision within 28 days of being notified, as long as you have already followed any available procedure to state your case to ourselves.

The appeal will only be successful if the sheriff considers that we, in making our decision, have:

  • erred in law
  • based our decision on an incorrect material fact
  • acted contrary to natural justice
  • exercised our discretion in an unreasonable manner

You may then appeal on a point of law from the sheriff's decision to the Court of Session within 28 days from the date of the sheriff’s decision.

Objections or representations

Objections or representations relating to a licence application may be made in writing to the licensing section, within 28 days of notice of the licence application being given, stating:

  • the grounds of the objection or nature of the representation
  • the name and address of the person making the representation

Police Scotland, or anyone who has made a relevant objection or representation regarding the licence, may appeal against a decision within 28 days of being notified, as long as they have already followed any available procedure in terms of stating their case to ourselves.

The appeal will only be successful if the sheriff considers that we, in making our decision, had:

  • erred in law
  • based our decision on an incorrect material fact
  • acted contrary to natural justice
  • exercised our discretion in an unreasonable manner
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