Institute of Commercial Management | Qualification Subject

Hotel & Catering Law

ICM Professional Diploma Unit

Law and the Legal System

  • Legislation
  • The common law
  • Going to law

The Catering Enterprise

  • Choosing the form of business enterprise
  • The proprietor or sole trader
  • Partnership
  • Companies

Hotel and Catering Premises

  • Acquisition of premises
  • The hotelier’s liability as an occupier of premises
  • Public health and hygiene
  • Fire safety
  • Lost property found on the premises
  • Staff accommodation
  • Security

The Hotelier and the Guest

  • The contract of booking
  • Consumer protection and booking contracts
  • The registration of guests
  • Inns
  • Duties of the innkeeper
  • The innkeeper’s duty towards the property of guests
  • The enforcement of the innkeeper’s duties
  • The innkeeper’s liability as an occupier of premises
  • The rights of an innkeeper
  • The rights and duties of a hotel
  • Non-payment by guests and travellers

The Restaurateur and the Customer

  • Contracts for the sale of food and drink
  • Criminal liability for the sale of food and drink
  • Refusing service to the customer
  • Theft by customers

Commercial Contracts and the Caterer

  • Standard form contracts
  • The terms of a commercial contract

Licensing Law

  • Liquor licensing
  • Restaurants, hotels and clubs
  • Permitted hours
  • The conduct of licensed premises
  • Weights and measures
  • Miscellaneous licences
  • Liability of intoxicated customers

Individual Rights and Duties in Relation to the Contract of Employment

  • The contract of employment
  • The terms of the contract of employment
  • Remuneration
  • The rights of employees during employment
  • Dismissal
  • Redundancy

Safety and Working Conditions

  • Civil aspects of health and safety at work
  • Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963
  • The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
  • Accidental dangerous occurrences
  • People at special risk
  • Insurance against injuries

The Employer, the Employee and the Trade Union

  • Trade Unions
  • The employee’s rights as a Trade Unionist
  • The closed shop
  • Trade Union ballots

Example Candidate Response Booklet

Example Candidate Response (ECR) Booklets are a source of crucial information for Centres and Candidates as they use real candidate responses. We ask Senior Examiners to comment on five or more responses in terms of why the mark was awarded with commentary about how to improve the answer (if necessary).

Recommended Reading

Main Text:

Principles of Hospitality Law – Michael Boella & Alan Pannett (Continuum)

Indicative Text:

Alternative Text and Further Reading: