The PICA-Service was set up as part of the self-regulation deal between the Government and the industry to rule over code-of-practice disputes between lessees/tenants and pubcos.
Currently, the Government is set to consult on a statutory code with an adjudicator and the future of the PICA-Service is likely to be considered.
The arbitration service is calling for individuals from the trade, either tenants or industry experts, to join the pool of panellists, which currently number 21.
The move to broaden the service’s pool of panellists means that there will be an opportunity for the organisation to conduct multiple hearings concurrently.
Bernard Brindley, who chairs the Pubs Independent Rent Review Scheme (PIRRS) board responsible for administering PICA-Service, said: “I’m interested in hearing in particular, but not solely, from hands-on tenant licensees and specialist advisors to the licensed trade, as well as those with backgrounds in dispute resolution.
“The most important thing is that each panel — comprising five of six panel members — that hears a complaint has the necessary balance, with a diverse and broad range of skills and experience. This breadth can be seen through the current mix of panellists, which includes tenants, former tenants, multiple tenants and freeholders, Licensed Trade Charity members, specialist licensed trade solicitors, accountants, chartered surveyors, company directors and retired directors, those involved in the field of dispute resolution elsewhere, and a circuit judge.
“I would like to present applications before the PIRRS board relating to people who embrace the PICA-Service initiative and recognise the importance of a tenant being able to bring their pub company or brewery landlord to account when appropriate.”
Brindley said that strict conflict-of-interest checks would be carried out and that, given the need to maintain a balanced panel made up of individuals with a broad range of skill sets and experience, not all applications to join the PICA-Service panel hearings would be successful.
The voluntary roles within PICA-Service were an important part of the self-regulation commitment given to the Business, Innovation & Skills Committee, and this remains in place, as the Government consults on a possible statutory code, added the PIRRS chairman.
Conflict of interest checks are carried out on a case-by-case basis, so individuals joining the pool of panel members will not necessarily be eligible to sit at every hearing. All panel members receive professional training.
Those interested in being considered for the PICA-Service panel should email MikaylaL@BII.org. The PICA-Service website address is www.picaservice.com