New deputy Pubs Code adjudicator appointed

Fiona Dickie has been appointed deputy Pubs Code adjudicator (DPCA), the government has announced.

Dickie, who was called to the Bar in 1993 and has been a vice-president of the Valuation Tribunal for England since July 2009, was appointed Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in 2013.

She will support Pubs Code adjudicator Paul Newby in arbitrating individual disputes about breaches of the Pubs Code, investigating suspected systemic breaches of the Code more widely across the sector, and providing advice and guidance about the Code and report on unfair business practices.

Newby said: "I am delighted to welcome Fiona Dickie to the team. Fiona's 12 years' judicial experience, including in complex and high-value cases, will be the perfect foundation to her role as deputy Pubs Code adjudicator. I look forward to working with her to improve conditions for tied tenants up and down the country.

Dickie said: "I am very proud to be appointed as deputy Pubs Code adjudicator. I look forward to using my legal background to offer a just and proportionate resolution to disputes, and to ensuring compliance with the Code to support a fair, thriving pubs industry and the local communities they serve. I encourage all interested parties to work with the Pubs Code adjudicator."

Margot James, parliamentary under-secretary of state for small business, consumers and corporate responsibility, said: "The Pubs Code helps thousands of tied tenants across the country to secure a better deal and Fiona's role will further strengthen this vital work. Her extensive legal knowledge, dispute resolution skills and experience of complex cases will be invaluable assets in her new role."

Dickie will take up her role on 1 November 2017, working 4 days per week. She will be based in Birmingham.

The Statutory Pubs Code was introduced in May 2016. In the first year the Pubs Code adjudicator has accepted 156 cases for arbitration and made 48 arbitration awards.

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