Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) Arbitration Referral Service

Referral Form

CIArb are pleased to have been appointed as the sole provider of Arbitration Referral Services to the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA).

Changes to the MRO procedure

The Pubs Code was amended as of 1 April 2022, including changes to the time limit for making an arbitration referral. Please continue to use the usual referral form if your Market Rent Only event (the event which gave you the right to ask for the MRO option) was before 1 April 2022.

Please use the following referral form if your MRO event (the event which gave you the right to ask for the MRO option) was 1 April 2022 onwards and for non-MRO referrals.

Referral Form - after 1 April 2022

Cases that commenced prior to our appointment as the sole referral service will continue to proceed as normal and no action is required from the parties. The DAS team will handle all communications with the arbitrators appointed to these cases. Any queries regarding those cases should be directed to the DAS team using the below email address.

Any new referrals for arbitrations made under the Pubs Code should be sent to the CIArb Dispute Appointment Service (DAS) team using the email address pca@ciarb.org completing the Referral Form found below.

Before making a referral

There is a difference between a general enquiry and a formal referral to the PCA for arbitration.

Before you make a formal referral, you should read the PCA factsheets which are available on their website. They are designed to answer the key questions tenants ask about their Pubs Code rights.

The Pubs Code has very strict deadlines connected with rights under the code and for making formal referrals to the PCA. It is the tied-tenants’ and the pub-owning business’ responsibility to ensure they are able to meet the strict deadlines set out in the Code.If you have a query about the Pubs Code, you can contact your Code Compliance Officer or the PCA enquiry service.

The PCA has published standards which set out what the PCA expects from a Pubs Code Arbitrator.

Making a referral

The Referring party must pay the appointment fee of £200. This must be paid:

• at the time the referral is made
• by bank transfer

The fee is payable to:

Business Current Account: PCA Arbitration Service
Currency: GBP 
Branch Sort Code: 400503
Account Number: 81496352
IBAN: GB33HBUK40050381496352
UK Swift: HBUKGB4B

Should you have any queries about Pubs Code arbitration referrals, please contact the DAS Team using the following contact details:

T:+44(0)20 7421 7444
E: pca@ciarb.org

Referral Form

Referral Form - after 1 April 2022