Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

Sale and supply of alcohol generally - Offences and closure of premises - Other offences on licensed premises

248: Sale or supply of alcohol to intoxicated people

You could also call this:

"Don't sell or give alcohol to someone who is already drunk"

If you sell or give alcohol to someone who is already drunk, you can get in trouble with the law. This applies to people who work at places that are allowed to sell alcohol, like bars or restaurants. You can be fined or even have your licence to sell alcohol taken away for a little while. If you are not in charge of a place that sells alcohol, but you still sell or give alcohol to someone who is drunk, you can also get in trouble. You might have to pay a fine if you break this rule, and it does not matter if someone else who works at the place that sells alcohol also gets in trouble for the same thing.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3339754.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > GamblingCrime and justice > Criminal law
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247: Unauthorised sale or supply, or

"Selling alcohol without permission is against the law"

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249: Allowing people to become intoxicated, or

"Don't let people get too drunk at your alcohol venue or you could be fined."

Part 2Sale and supply of alcohol generally
Offences and closure of premises: Other offences on licensed premises

248Sale or supply of alcohol to intoxicated people

  1. The licensee or a manager of any licensed premises who sells or supplies alcohol to an intoxicated person commits an offence.

  2. A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction,—

  3. in the case of a licensee, to either or both of the following:
    1. a fine of not more than $10,000:
      1. the suspension of the licensee's licence for a period of not more than 7 days:
      2. in the case of a manager, a fine of not more than $10,000.

        1. A person who is not a licensee or manager of licensed premises and who sells or supplies alcohol to an intoxicated person commits an offence.

        2. A person who commits an offence against subsection (3) is liable on conviction to a fine of not more than $2,000.

        3. Subsection (3) applies irrespective of any liability that may attach to the licensee or any manager in respect of the same offence.

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