@@mozzjones6943 No he cannot operate anywhere in Scotland unless he is qualified in Scots Law and has been accepted by the Law Society of Scotland. I know because a family member works for Los and confirmed that.
@@mozzjones6943 read your own post. You state it doesn't matter where in the UK he operates. My reply was that he can't. By the way how have you helped me?
@@gavinpotts6747 One would think that Scotland would do away with the need of a BBC licence .Just goes to show that Scotland is just as bad as England / Wales when it comes to money grabbing
This is the best and most articalute explanation of the enforcement aspect of TV licensing I've seen. I stopped watching television 8 years ago when I sold my set and I don't watch TV programs of any kind, live or catchup, as I really don't enjoy mainstream entertainment. But I do get the threatening letters and it really worries me, although I've never had TV licensing attend my premises. I'm a very honest person so this has been fantastic in allaying my fears, so thank you very much for this series.
I ceased buying a TV licence in 2006 and don't miss live TV at all. A massive saving of over £2,000 so far. Another reason for stopping is my protest at ridiculous salaries to presenters, and more recently, the use of offensive language on entertainment programs broadcast at 1830, weekdays on Radio 4. Occasional hotel stays and looking through a TV magazine, allowed me to confirm my view! I only view items on UA-cam, or similar free to view internet based content, and I buy DVD videos 10 for £1 from charity shops or occasional sets from online suppliers (DVDs don't get erased). I watch my choice of interesting channels such as this. Thanks for another great video.
If you don't require a licence, you ignore all the Threatograms and don't say anything to any Goons who might come knocking, how can they possibly have any 'evidence' to get a search warrant? This is why ignoring the Threatograms and saying absolutely nothing to any Goon (apart from perhaps "No thanks") is vital.
@@Nickcooper625 Please elaborate. What do you mean by 'TV Licence agitator'? If somebody is legally licence-free, are you saying that my original post is wrong?
@@hughmungo-sarce7557 He's probably one of those people who are unable to conceptualise how a human being could possibly do without broadcast TV and thinks anyone who doesn't have a licence is a criminal.
Thanks for all that you do. I have never seen a "Warrant", could you please explain or show what they look like and what is needed for them to be lawful? I wouldn't know a warrant if it slapped me in the face.
I recently stumbled across your channel.A true gem of a find. Absolutely amazing! Such detailed and concise, videos, from a legal expert.(no more ambiguity of trawling through dubious content) Thank you so much, for putting this content out there.🙂💯👍
I wrote to my MP about 3 years ago accusing them of harrasing me and my MP wrote to the BBC and they backed off, but they have been harrasing me again so I am ignoring them now as the likelihood of them gaining entry is minimal. They do not play by the rules.
Two questions: Where do the embassies/consulates get their information from? I.e. will you be refused a US visa for your holiday in Florida if you've been convicted of watching live TV without a licence? The video mentions the testing of equipment. If I have stopped watching TV and put my TV set in a cupboard, it would presumably show live TV if it was switched on; that doesn't prove that I watch live TV. Similarly if I use the TV as a monitor for my computer, it is still capable of showing live TV, expecially if an aerial is attached. Testing the equipment to show that it is capable of showing live TV does not prove that the owner has broken the law.
Thank you for your valued upload. Liked. These days I don't use the BBC at all on any device and you can 'opt out' from a TV license on the appropriate web site and give reasons if you so wish. This was duly done. However, they still threaten to fine me but that issue rests with them. I will not be forced to pay for something that I don't use anymore.
I always remember when my (now Wife) and I rented our first flat, the TV licensing people turned up on the doorstep within days. They were very perturbed when my other half presented them with a TV license bought at the Post Office that same day. What or who tipped them off to check though? The next day, I had a Police Officer at the door, wanting to check a Gun License. I have never owned a gun. Very bizarre.
The tv licensing are a private company so why would the police help them force entry into a property, the police should only be there to keep the peace and nothing else.
That is a very good point. My experience of the police is only as a victim of crime. To be precise my partner and I were illegally evicted from our rented property. We were not at fault, we're not in arrears of rent or council tax nor had we damaged the property. In fact we had paid for a gas safety inspection which the landlord is legally required to have carried out yearly. There had been no Section 21 notice to quit issued and the landlord and his cronies illegally broke into our home and locked us out. We called the police but on arrival they actively supported the landlord and his clearly intoxicated associates in evicting us. They were clearly being instructed by a sergeant who held the belief that tenants had absolutely no rights in law. I was assaulted by one of the landlord's associates while calling the police and insulted by one of the PCs that attended. To cut a long story short Staffordshire Police Service apologised in writing after I lodged an official complaint but it was hollow and showed the police care little for the law. Unfortunately, at the time I didn't have the money to launch a legal case against the police or the landlord but learned a few things. 1. The police care nothing for the law. 2. The police view the people they allegedly serve through a highly discriminatory class and status based lens. I now own a beautiful Grade 2 listed picturesque property in a well to do area and the police are suddenly deferential and subservient minions as they clearly perceive me as wealthy and well to do. The law means nothing in the UK unless you have the time and means to drive and implied a case. I am now a relatively 'law abiding' person who has no respect, trust or confidence in the law, the police or the judiciary. This is how a private company coops the police as, effectively, enforcers when neither has any business with you.
@@leeenglandland2978 That's good to hear but I don't trust them anyway. The standard PC drone has no understanding of the law and, under the control of it's superiors is a menace to anyone who comes into contact with them. Please don't misunderstand me, I'm someone who would very much like to trust and have faith in the police. I'm not someone who dislikes them because they impede my criminal activities. I have never had more than a speeding ticket in my distant youth. The two occasions on which I desperately needed their help they treated me as a criminal and try took away and lost my property. I am hugely out of pocket and they have created yet another person who does not trust nor support them.
It's a bit more complicated than that. TV Licensing is acting on behalf of the BBC, which is the statutory Licensing Authority. Under the legislation (section 366 of the Communications Act 2003) the warrant is granted to "one or more people authorised by the BBC", which is where TV Licensing comes into it. There is a BBC authority list that gives the name of every TV Licensing employee authorised to apply for/execute a warrant granted under this legislation. The legislation allows for them to be accompanied by a police constable. It also allows them, technically speaking, to force entry to the premises if necessary - HOWEVER, it is TV Licensing's own policy never to force entry. If there is no response when an attempt is made to execute the warrant, they will simply leave and (might) try again some other time. The warrant is only valid for one month.
Im sick of this tv licence. I dont watch bbc I dont watch it live. I dont want it.....yet I feel pressured to get one !!!! They need to be more clear about who needs one
Its simple: No contact, no contract. Don't speak to them, don't sign anything ask them to leave then close the door. Also most convictions are because the person was pressured or coerced into signing a document saying that they don't have a licence and watch TV. Thats then used to convict them as a signed confession.
What is a legal enforceable warrant? There are loads of videos where they arrive with with court paperwork saying that it is a warrant where the house holder Denys them entry because the so called warrant was signed by a court official and not a magistrate for judge. It would be nice to get clarification of this.
@@GH-lo8vl However, these days that warrant can be electronic, i.e. a document on a phone. Difficult to verify if it's real, especially if the police are also present and believe it to be real.
@@Thurgosh_OG - If the police have to ask you to come in, they're asking because they know the warrant isn't enforceable without your consent - ua-cam.com/video/g-Fn4BiHekk/v-deo.html
I think I have experienced "Culture Shock." Having been brought up in a country where signals broadcast over the airways are free, I find the TV License appalling. Scrambling the signal being broadcast and selling the decode that changes on a monthly basis would be much more cost effective.
welcome to socialism and state run propaganda oh i mean TV, also i think UA-cam needs to kick off government run organisations like the BBC that rely on demanding money in this sort of manner.
@@Quebecoisegal ignore? Because they're telling the truth? The sooner the vile organisation is gone the better. I see no reason why poor old Doris has to go without heating to contribute paying someone a million pounds to play records on the radio. Left wing biased propaganda that holds a monopoly and doesn't have to compete for funding (socialism).
The cost of a TV would go up if unscrambling software for free to air TV had to be built in. That and the subscription cost could make it dearer than a TV licence
Could you go into a bit more detail on the warrants? What are they allowed to search and what counts as obstructing? Do we have to share computer passwords? Do we have to log in for them?
@@BlackBeltBarrister Hi Blackbelt Barrister - Responding to the above - I don't believe not aiding TV Licensing during an enforced warrant of entry is an obstructable offence - Are not computers covered by GDPR? No one is lawfully required to assist BBC perpetrators to build a case against themselves - Is not the onus upon the BBC perpetrators to prove their case without the assistance of the tenant/householder? Should the warrant have the name of the tenant/householder upon it? Or is it against the property only? - Thank You
If they get a warrant, use force entry, but I genuinely don't need TV licence, should they pay for damages they caused with the force entry and possible missed salary if need to be home until the door is repaired? Also, what evidence they can give to the court to get the warrant if they don't have evidence that someone is watching TV without a licence? This force entering someone's home without an actual evidence sounds dodgy.
@@juditvoros8933 Have heard of cases wherein BBC goons have lied to magistrates without providing evidence and the magistrate/s rubber stamp the warrant so to speak which in itself has to be unlawful....
I told the TV licence people I didn't need a license and hadn't watched TV for over two years due to being busy making gaming videos on UA-cam. The guy said it didn't sound like i needed a license and cancelled it. Within 6 weeks of my license running out one of their goons visited and put a note through the door saying he had visited to enquire why I felt I didn't need a license.
Due to the BBC and other TV channels constantly churning out repeats and crap I stopped watching TV I needed a licence for. So, on January 10th 2021 I made a 2-year declaration that I no longer needed a TV licence. I then cancelled my direct debit and considered the issue closed. Despite making the declaration I have received 7 letters from Capita so far.
If you go to prison for not paying the fine, guess what they give to you as a part of the punishment - why! it is free television. You could not make it up. They condone your original offence!
Regarding obstruction, the following should be noted:- (7) Where a person has the power by virtue of a warrant under this section to examine or test any television receiver found on any premises, or in any vehicle, it shall be the duty- (a) of a person who is on the premises or in the vehicle, and (b) in the case of a vehicle, of a person who has charge of it or is present when it is searched, to give the person carrying out the examination or test all such assistance as that person may reasonably require for carrying it out. The requirement to assist only applies to the *examination and testing* , not the search. It is not up to you, to show them where the equipment is, and if they happen to miss some equipment, that's their hard luck.
The official website is laid out and worded in a confusing manner that could quite possibly be done to mislead people into thinking they might need one when they don't.
My stepdads parents once had the TV licensing people come round saying they didn't have a TV Licence. In fact they did, the confusion had arisen because the house had a name and a number, and the licence was in the house number not the name.
The Rehabilitation Act was 1974 not 1975, the exceptions are 1975. A minor point of law from a former barrack room lawyer ;-) Great series please keep up the work of explaining the law in simple terms.
I've gone through life without worrying about these goons. I don't pay for a tv license nor do I need one, because I don't watch live TV or record it. Mostly catch up on free to view. Yet to have a visit from an inspector but if I do I won't be speaking to one as these are just sales agents. No thank-you goodbye. It used to be compulsory if you have a TV you need a licence but it's not the case today
TVL Warrants are extremely rare, and seem mainly to be used on people who have essentially claimed that they do not have to abide by the Licence law. TVL aren't supposed to gain evidence by looking through windows.
That is quite a specific question, so allow me to interject - they will usually only apply for a warrant in one of the following circumstances: 1. That an admission has been made by the occupier that unlicensed TV reception is taking place at the property; 2. That a TV Licensing agent has seen or heard unlicensed TV reception taking place at the property; 3. That unlicensed TV reception has been "detected" at the property (although the use of detection is very rare). Furthermore, they need to be able to satisfy the court that access will not be granted without a warrant (e.g. they have tried to gain voluntary access, but have been refused). It should be noted that the following alone are not sufficient grounds for a warrant, but they might support an application along with other evidence: 4. The presence of an external TV aerial or satellite dish; 5. Refusal to co-operate with TV Licensing; 6. The sight of TV listings magazines etc. at the unlicensed property. There is a lot more information about this on our blog and in our free ebook: tv-licensing.blogspot.com/p/free-book.html
Thanks for an interesting video. What I don’t understand is if they are in your property what are they actually looking for? Owning a tv is lawful, presumably having the aerial plugged in is lawful. So what evidence are they looking for?
@@sudokuanimation1316 Hi. I get the recent recordings is a giveaway but even if your tv is configured to receive live broadcasts surely doesn’t prove you do actually watch it.
I would presume that they are mainly hoping that you crumble and say something incriminating. Even having a TV plugged into an aerial socket is not proof that you have been watching live TV.
They're looking to stitch you up. If one comes knocking on your door. Close the door in their face. Investigation closed. Nothing good comes from interacting with TV License goons.
I have three old TVs which I intend to use the screens and part of the circuitry in other pieces of equipment. These TVs have not been switched on for a long time, and because of that and the age of the components, especially the Electrolytic Capacitors, Powering-up these TVs could damage them. If a Licence Inspector insists on powering-up these TVs, and it damages them, who is responsible for the repair/replacement?
If you have no aerial connected to the tv and it is not plugged into the mains they can’t plug it in and switch it on. Owning a tv eu being in possession of a tv is not a crime.
Love the videos and am really grateful for you taking the time to help people out like this. It is such a shame that while growing up and going through the school system, that these law clarifications and revelations are not taught to the children as part of a "Life Skills" lesson plan. Here is a quick question for you...... If a married couple do not buy a TV licence when they should, which one is prosecuted or are they both prosecuted for the offence / crime? Just curious really??? Keep up the great work and stay safe, Joe
@ Joe's Model Kits: Excellent point, Joe. As the late Peter Burns from Dead Or Alive said 'Kids need to learn how to handle life not what to do with the decimal point'.
I don’t understand the hostility around TV licensing, I have not required a TV license for over 10 years, informed the required department, had one visit where I was friendly and open, didn’t even want to enter the premium to check, and then every two years I just reconfirm that I don’t require a licence, done no hassle no visits. Being obstructionist just implies that you have something to hide.
I had letters for a year to "The Occupier" until I declared and then I did the online declaration. Two weeks later I had a capita agent at my door armed with my name wanting in to prove it.
Just ignore the letters. They do nothing. I've not paid in years. I don't watch iPlayer. My TV isn't connected to the aerial (that came with the house, and I ain't taking it down coz the next person who lives here might want it). I don't even watch the BBC YT channels.
They need your legal fiction name for contract, if they send to THE OCCUPIER, then there's no contract and nothing they can do, as in all contract law, there must be acceptance by both parties, all LEGAL STATUTES are governed by contracts.
I'm gonna buy one, I'm gonna buy one, OK? By rights, I would not be requiring one this year on if the old rules still existed, being 75 now. Why don't you launch a campaign, like you did with the NHS records thing, for the over 75s! If it was successful you'd be the hero of all the elderly folks.
I understand that many 'live' programs are broadcast with a several seconds delay. This is to enable any infringements such as naughty words can caught and bleeped out. Therefore, are we technically watching a recording?
@@xdc1776 the 11th edition of Black’s Law Dictionary has finally been published-with the decades-old error officially corrected. Quoting Jurisprudence, Black’s Law Dictionary correctly reads: “So far as legal theory is concerned, a person is any being whom the law regards as capable of rights or duties.”
There is an exact copy of the warrant in our article here: tv-licensing.blogspot.com/2014/11/tv-licensing-search-warrants-prevention.html Believe it or not, these warrants are normally typed by Capita TV Licensing (or the police, RSPCA or whoever) and sent to the court for consideration and authorisation. There is no standard prescribed format for the appearance of a warrant, so different variations are possible.
@@simonyoungglostog At the current time it might not even have a signature, but it will have been authorised by the named magistrate. The majority of warrants - and that's police warrants too - are being dealt with remotely due to coronavirus.
I'm a little crazy tbh, if someone attempted to enter my home in what I feel to be an agressive manner I may hurt someone, mental health is never taken into account though so I'd get in trouble even though the actions of these people carrying out their job all be it a slimy one would trigger my PTSD at which point I'd not be in control of myself, I would say they wouldn't deserve what they had inadvertently caused and I'd regret hurting anyone, but at least you can opt out online to avoid this or be polite and deal with it asap I suppose.
From what i understand, if YOU dont talk to them or let them in, they couldnt get a warrant and when they visit , you just SHUT the door, Investigation over and no possible warrant or charges can occur. NOW- what if they look through your window and see you watching LIVE tv without licence. Can you claim in court TRESPASS and have charges withdrawn? or can they gather the warrant that way and come back and force way in?
@ BlackBeltBarrister A topic idea for your next video. Why is compulsory to "Register to vote"? My borough was harassing me with letters / door to door, saying that is an offence to not register. Voting should be a right, I don't want the government to force me to "register" to vote.
A great channel, pal. Takes me right back to my law lectures 1991-1993 with Liz Williams QC. I wish that you were around then. Maybe I would have pursued a career in financial law. Who knows?
It is a worry. Ive been paying my licence fee for months when i dont watch tv. I stopped using BBC and anything that warrants a licence ages ago. I have had a letter but it has the wrong address on it. This was posted through the door about four days after i logged on line that i didnt need one. Its worrying.
Back in the 90s I was paying an amount of money to pay off my TV License, I couldn't afford the payments and asked for them to be reduced(£70.00 was left to pay). They refused to lower my payments and took me to court. I explained to the Judge my financial circumstances and that I'd given up smoking purely for financial reasons, he was impressed by this and lowered my debt to £40.00 also allowing me to pay off the debt at the reduced rate that I'd asked for. I'll never forget the Judge because he was fair and could see that it wasn't that I refused to pay but that I wasn't able to afford the high payments they wanted at that time.
The DVLA don't send someone around to my house to see if my car is in the driveway if I declare it SORN - and there's far more money at stake there - as far as TV licensing are concerned - if they send someone to my property - they'll first be politely asked to leave - and if that fails - then I'll use reasonable force to eject them. End of!.
Not had a licence since 1987 as I do not have a television. If they get a search warrant and find no tv I would question how they got the warrant. Did they lie? Do I have a case for harassment getting letters every month since 1987?
With regard to obstructing a warrant, would there be any consequences if you switched off the power to your property? Would they have the right to use your electricity? You won’t be physically stopping them from testing your television. You can invite them to bring their own generator in. If you turned your electricity off, would they be allowed to enter your fuse box to turn it on? You can’t reasonably search for a television in a fuse box? A fuse could always be taken out. Also, if they wanted to test your television, would disconnecting your broadband be an obstruction? Thoughts please.
My tv has never been connected to anything other than a playstation and when the tv licence bloke came round I let him turn it on to check, and Eastenders appeared on screen. It's never occurred before or since, but I was taken to court and had to pay. Most odd.
What would the situation be if you have TV licencing turn up with a warrant, but without uniformed police. And you refuse to let them in, on the grounds that you want to verify their identity or the authenticity of the warrrant? Are you within your rights to refuse them entry whilst you summon the police, or try to contact tv licencing? Or have you committed an offence right away? Thanks for the many interesting videos.
Warrants can be electronic, as in, on a mobile phone these days, so tricky to prove it's false. Contacting the police might help, if they are educated on warrants and don't just believe the 'warrant' is real, which would of course mean letting them in your house. if a TVL goon gets in, he WILL find evidence, even if he has to make it up. See ChillieJonCarne YT channel for lots of info about this.
If you do not watch TV there is trick (that will cost you). Send your TV set to the service or a technician and tell them to remove the RF demodulator.
As far as I know, you have to accept the warrant at face value unless something is clearly wrong on the document, ie dates etc, and challenge the evidence used to obtain it in court.
I don't watch live TV or BBC Iplayer, but I do use TV's to watch streaming services from Netflix and Now TV. TV's are set up to receive the BBC and live TV, but I have to press the "source" button to select the HDMI input for the Roku device's I purchased to receive Netflix and Now TV. Now here is the point, if I'm not quick enough to select the HDMI input, I might receive live TV for a few seconds. It is not my fault that TV's are basically set up this way, but it is the BBC's fault that I have no alternative other than to disconnect the Arial, another point is that I have a SKY box connected because SKY didn't want it back and because Netflix plays better through it than the Roku player I leave it connected, whether I like it or not that Sky box can pick up Freeview channels even though I never watch them and what about the programs I recorded on it before I stopped paying the licence fee? I don't want or watch live TV or BBC Iplayer, but I am concerned that If a warrant is issued to enter my house that the argument could be made that I have the equipment to watch live TV regardless of the fact that I don't. I don't see it as my responsibility to render all devices in my home incapable of receiving live TV, to be honest I don't know how to. The only way I can see that a prosecution could be bought is if I was actually to be caught watching live TV. Clearly the BBC is relying on all this uncertainty to frighten people who don't need a licence into buying one. Please can you let me and other people in my position know where we stand. It would be so much easier if Freeview boxes required a card to be inserted or a number to be entered given out on payment of the TV licence fee, that way all the uncertainty would be removed. I look forward to hearing from you.
If you own a tv with freeview how does tvl prove you watch live stream. Ownership of the equipment is not proof as you could only be watching non live content.
I never realise how bad our justice system is in this country. I believe in innocent until proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt. More and more times you have to prove your innocence in this country.😢😠😡still loving the videos👍😁😊
I think the most confusing thing about the TV license, for me, is how 'TV' (i.e. the content, not the device) is defined. At what point does someone creating content qualify as 'TV'? Is it when they do it with a certain frequency, when they employ e.g. editors, when they register themselves as in the business of livestreaming?
In Australia we don’t have TV licences but for minor offences police can seize all of your computers and cameras as evidence and take them away which would be a major inconvenience. You will get them back but I bet that would take months and they won’t be gentle with them.
I don't have a TV but dare not let them know as I know I will be pestered. People can't believe that a person can live without one. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Can a person whose property is being searched for a TV that can receive licenced channels switch off his electricity supply, as the electricity passing through the meter is paid for by the house owner , surely they have the right to refuse use of it,, Has this been done ,
Can you talk about employment law and zero-hours contracts? Is it permissible for employers to use them to trial people before offering them a permanent contract?
yes they can , if they take you on with a zero hours contract then offer you a job later. If the job is advertised as permanent , no they cant , you are applying for a permanent job , but they can persuade you to take a zero hours contract with the provision you will get a permanent contract if they think you are ok. They can sack you anytime they want until you have fulfilled their probation period , so it would be a odd thing to do.
so I think think this what we should all take from this video, is the last 30 seconds at10:00, "be because there is a difference between recordable offenses and non-recordable offenses but as always" it's not recordable so it is just a fine? right? then most important part at 10:07, "neither this video or anything else you read online should be taken as formal legal advice" so should you say this when the nock on your door, ( your not speaking without formal legal advice, thank you good-bye, then close door)? then at 10:12, "you should speak to your own lawyer even before answering any questions of tv licensing agents or even police officers whether or not under caution because you have the right to legal representation and to speak to a lawyer before doing so" so how would this work in the real world, with the tv licensing (thugs, being help by the police breakdown your, door, the interior of your house, home (castle,) with or without paper work" with then intent of finding what they are looking for:- most TV, will new TV's will auto Tune, if asked when tv, is selected, even with out an aerial connected, there are going to be some ghostly very snowy cannels received, than we have their iPlayer, its on the internet, you typed in to a web-browser address line, if you have the inter-net, you have iPlayer, also, unless your outside the UK? used or not? then at 10:26, "understand the criminality of tv licensing" searching
Imagine if your local window cleaner decided you needed to pay him £200 a year for clean windows, whether he cleans your windows or not. Would it be acceptable if he then threatened to fine you £1000 if you didn't pay the £200 but had clean windows, using threats of kidnap to coerce payment?
When a warrant is issued by a “court” what does that mean? As I understand it a “court” doesn’t have to held in a courthouse with magistrate sitting who can issue a search warrant, but apparently this is not the case and warrants are sent out from Bulk Mailing Centre in Nottingham where warrants are printed without an embossed court seal or a “wet” signature. Surely this unilateral charge in the law to suit TVL and the debt companies enforcement agents, who buy the debts for coppers cannot be right, because they are a third party with whom the tenants do not have a contract. The “assistance” given by the police to agents when they should only be there to keep the peace and not assist agents to collect money or gain entry.
I have stopped watching TV due to the fact that I have no remote or plug that goes to the set also no recording devices,am not able to watch any DVD's so I do not think that this would require me to have a license.
Couldn't the homeowner just unplug the aerial from the back of the TV, when the people serving the warrant are about to search their house, thus leaving no evidence?
"Forced entrance and found evidence you were watching television?" What evidence, other than you were sitting down watching TV when they smashed your door down?
In Law would there be any redress for anyone who has had a Search Warrant issued against them ( I believe some evidence is required by Magistrates to issue any Warrant?) but no evidence of needing a TV Licence is found (Legally owning TV but using it within the Law - Not requiring a TVLicence)? - This would make the original 'evidence' supplied to gain the Warrant as false?
In theory someone could be breaking the law and an agent might hear Eastenders live but be refused entry. When they come back later with a warrant the householder may have sold or moved the TV to other premises.
I would question the police having the power to force entry, their role is to prevent a breach of the peace. The warrant is issued to the tvl/capita employees. There is also, I believe legislation preventing police officers from assisting private companies in the execution of a warrant.
@@Ashs-mini-vlogs Of course it has! If you don't pay the fee without cancelling first, they will send the "salesmen" round. If you keep ignoring them and you are unlucky you may get a visit from them again with the police with a warrant. If you ignore that lot you may be taken to court for non payment of the fee. Ignore that and get a judgement against you. Ignore that...then the bailiffs call. Only so much ignoring you can do, y'know.
I would think that if they cannot say that they saw/heard a TV live broadcast/BBC iPlayer programme, then there could be little if any justification for a warrant. There has NEVER been a prosecution based on evidence from TV detector vans - for the simple reason that these are all in reality a cleverly-propagandised figment of the BBC's imagination!
What happens if they come into Your House with the Police find TV not attached to Aerial then plug in Aerial to get a Signal! Can You get the Police witness's to arrest the TV inspector for Fabricating Evidence against You?
is it allowed/reasonable to request that the be police be present should TV licencing show up with a warrant? and then waiting outside (to prevent any adjustment of evidence) with them until said police arrive? because it has been reported that the agents will state they have a "warrant" which has been proven to be untrue/fake...
Another great video, thank you. Please can you do a video on the recent changes to the offensive weapon laws around possession of items inside your home?
@@experiment54 it is now illegal to own certain items such as throwing stars and zombie knives, even in your own home. Be good to drill down a bit more into the particulars such as exactly which items and the penalties
I would assume compelling evidence might be said goon demanding one switches the TV on and if it goes straight to a live boradcast station that would indicate illegal use enough to convict? If they played with the remote and found the TV capable of receiving the signal, ie aerial or satbox still connected even if the TV is never used for live reception from either aerial or satellite dish, would still being capable of receiving live images be considered compelling evidence?
Good point, I remember a store doing this to me I just gave fake details, I don't think they can do that now under Data protection, I have purchased a few TV's in the past for pc & Netflix and never since been asked for my personal details.
Many here are referring to BBC TV Licensing* "Inspectors", as if they have some special legal status. They have no more legal authority than a double-glazing salesman. They are motivated by their commission (about £20 a go) for selling a licence. *TV Licensing is an operating arm of the BBC, which retains all responsibility for its agents, mostly Capita Services plc. It is not a separate official body as is widely believed.
But most people have a satellite dish - usually Sky I suppose - so, if a person has a satellite dish, is that an indicator to the BBC "inspectors" that the owner of the property with one, needs to have TV licence?
Can you talk about the 'obstruction' aspect. For example, if I'm weeding the front garden when the goons come with a warrant, do I have to stop weeding to let them in? Or can I tell them I'm going to continue with my business, and they're welcome to exercise their warrant through the use of a locksmith. I won't obstruct them. Is the relevant case... 'rice vs Connolly! .?? '
they are not entitled to use your ( batteries in remote ) or mains electricity to test the TV they must bring there own power sources and test equipment , you can insist that there power and testing appliances are Fully certified as compliant
What about just Watching UA-cam do you need a TV License for old non BBC History programmes seeing as my Old Plasma TV is no longer working it’s a minefield of Technical Legal Rabbit holes which I find quite daunting and intimidating my 2year non Licensing Requirement is due for another Re-Visit peace of mind from you Mr Blackbelt Barrister
Companies and TV licensing questions. Company uses a TV as a large display in a meeting room, it is not connected to an external TV signal, but is connected to the internet, update to BBC iPlayer (which is installed by default on the TV) requires a user to login to access content. #blackbeltbarrister two questions. The company uses the TV for presentations, so does the company need a license for the TV. And if the company’s policy is for employees not to user BBC iPlayer at work, is this sufficient, or if an employee using BBC iPlayer on a company or personal device whilst at work (on premises) would the company need a licence?
ty for the videos. I appreciate a UK Barrister being around to inform UK people instead of just US law being everywhere.
He's not a UK barrister. He operates in England and Wales only. There are different penalties in Scotland.
@@gavinpotts6747 I think you're reading way too much into a comment, my friend.
@@mozzjones6943 No he cannot operate anywhere in Scotland unless he is qualified in Scots Law and has been accepted by the Law Society of Scotland. I know because a family member works for Los and confirmed that.
@@mozzjones6943 read your own post. You state it doesn't matter where in the UK he operates. My reply was that he can't. By the way how have you helped me?
@@gavinpotts6747 One would think that Scotland would do away with the need of a BBC licence .Just goes to show that Scotland is just as bad as England / Wales when it comes to money grabbing
This is the best and most articalute explanation of the enforcement aspect of TV licensing I've seen. I stopped watching television 8 years ago when I sold my set and I don't watch TV programs of any kind, live or catchup, as I really don't enjoy mainstream entertainment. But I do get the threatening letters and it really worries me, although I've never had TV licensing attend my premises. I'm a very honest person so this has been fantastic in allaying my fears, so thank you very much for this series.
I ceased buying a TV licence in 2006 and don't miss live TV at all. A massive saving of over £2,000 so far. Another reason for stopping is my protest at ridiculous salaries to presenters, and more recently, the use of offensive language on entertainment programs broadcast at 1830, weekdays on Radio 4. Occasional hotel stays and looking through a TV magazine, allowed me to confirm my view! I only view items on UA-cam, or similar free to view internet based content, and I buy DVD videos 10 for £1 from charity shops or occasional sets from online suppliers (DVDs don't get erased). I watch my choice of interesting channels such as this. Thanks for another great video.
If you don't require a licence, you ignore all the Threatograms and don't say anything to any Goons who might come knocking, how can they possibly have any 'evidence' to get a search warrant?
This is why ignoring the Threatograms and saying absolutely nothing to any Goon (apart from perhaps "No thanks") is vital.
"Threatograms" and "goons" are the predictable indicators of a TV Licence agitator. You should try to be more imaginative.
@@Nickcooper625 Please elaborate.
What do you mean by 'TV Licence agitator'?
If somebody is legally licence-free, are you saying that my original post is wrong?
@@hughmungo-sarce7557 He's probably one of those people who are unable to conceptualise how a human being could possibly do without broadcast TV and thinks anyone who doesn't have a licence is a criminal.
Missed my own premier again due to work, sorry!
Lol
Thanks for all that you do. I have never seen a "Warrant", could you please explain or show what they look like and what is needed for them to be lawful? I wouldn't know a warrant if it slapped me in the face.
It was excellent, as ever. Thank you for your hard work. I recommend your channel to everyone. Keep up the good work, you are a force for good!
@@simondjangothe4349 Thank you so much! I am very much on a mission now - First stop, 100k, then, 1M - mission to help 1M people!
@@BlackBeltBarrister you have at least 1 disciple spreading the gospel. You take care BBB👍
I recently stumbled across your channel.A true gem of a find. Absolutely amazing! Such detailed and concise, videos, from a legal expert.(no more ambiguity of trawling through dubious content) Thank you so much, for putting this content out there.🙂💯👍
I wrote to my MP about 3 years ago accusing them of harrasing me and my MP wrote to the BBC and they backed off, but they have been harrasing me again so I am ignoring them now as the likelihood of them gaining entry is minimal. They do not play by the rules.
Two questions: Where do the embassies/consulates get their information from? I.e. will you be refused a US visa for your holiday in Florida if you've been convicted of watching live TV without a licence?
The video mentions the testing of equipment. If I have stopped watching TV and put my TV set in a cupboard, it would presumably show live TV if it was switched on; that doesn't prove that I watch live TV. Similarly if I use the TV as a monitor for my computer, it is still capable of showing live TV, expecially if an aerial is attached. Testing the equipment to show that it is capable of showing live TV does not prove that the owner has broken the law.
Not having a TV licence should not be a crimial offence, but a badge of honor
Thank you for your valued upload. Liked. These days I don't use the BBC at all on any device and you can 'opt out' from a TV license on the appropriate web site and give reasons if you so wish. This was duly done. However, they still threaten to fine me but that issue rests with them. I will not be forced to pay for something that I don't use anymore.
You still need a licence if you watch sky sports
I always remember when my (now Wife) and I rented our first flat, the TV licensing people turned up on the doorstep within days. They were very perturbed when my other half presented them with a TV license bought at the Post Office that same day. What or who tipped them off to check though? The next day, I had a Police Officer at the door, wanting to check a Gun License. I have never owned a gun. Very bizarre.
The tv licensing are a private company so why would the police help them force entry into a property, the police should only be there to keep the peace and nothing else.
That is a very good point. My experience of the police is only as a victim of crime. To be precise my partner and I were illegally evicted from our rented property. We were not at fault, we're not in arrears of rent or council tax nor had we damaged the property. In fact we had paid for a gas safety inspection which the landlord is legally required to have carried out yearly. There had been no Section 21 notice to quit issued and the landlord and his cronies illegally broke into our home and locked us out. We called the police but on arrival they actively supported the landlord and his clearly intoxicated associates in evicting us. They were clearly being instructed by a sergeant who held the belief that tenants had absolutely no rights in law. I was assaulted by one of the landlord's associates while calling the police and insulted by one of the PCs that attended.
To cut a long story short Staffordshire Police Service apologised in writing after I lodged an official complaint but it was hollow and showed the police care little for the law.
Unfortunately, at the time I didn't have the money to launch a legal case against the police or the landlord but learned a few things.
1. The police care nothing for the law.
2. The police view the people they allegedly serve through a highly discriminatory class and status based lens. I now own a beautiful Grade 2 listed picturesque property in a well to do area and the police are suddenly deferential and subservient minions as they clearly perceive me as wealthy and well to do.
The law means nothing in the UK unless you have the time and means to drive and implied a case.
I am now a relatively 'law abiding' person who has no respect, trust or confidence in the law, the police or the judiciary.
This is how a private company coops the police as, effectively, enforcers when neither has any business with you.
The police no longer get involved with tv licensing goons with a warrant.
@@leeenglandland2978 That's good to hear but I don't trust them anyway. The standard PC drone has no understanding of the law and, under the control of it's superiors is a menace to anyone who comes into contact with them.
Please don't misunderstand me, I'm someone who would very much like to trust and have faith in the police. I'm not someone who dislikes them because they impede my criminal activities. I have never had more than a speeding ticket in my distant youth. The two occasions on which I desperately needed their help they treated me as a criminal and try took away and lost my property. I am hugely out of pocket and they have created yet another person who does not trust nor support them.
@@PurityVendetta They protect wealth, not people
It's a bit more complicated than that. TV Licensing is acting on behalf of the BBC, which is the statutory Licensing Authority. Under the legislation (section 366 of the Communications Act 2003) the warrant is granted to "one or more people authorised by the BBC", which is where TV Licensing comes into it. There is a BBC authority list that gives the name of every TV Licensing employee authorised to apply for/execute a warrant granted under this legislation. The legislation allows for them to be accompanied by a police constable. It also allows them, technically speaking, to force entry to the premises if necessary - HOWEVER, it is TV Licensing's own policy never to force entry. If there is no response when an attempt is made to execute the warrant, they will simply leave and (might) try again some other time. The warrant is only valid for one month.
Im sick of this tv licence. I dont watch bbc I dont watch it live. I dont want it.....yet I feel pressured to get one !!!! They need to be more clear about who needs one
Its simple: No contact, no contract. Don't speak to them, don't sign anything ask them to leave then close the door. Also most convictions are because the person was pressured or coerced into signing a document saying that they don't have a licence and watch TV. Thats then used to convict them as a signed confession.
One of the most informative channels on UA-cam I've learned quite a lot watching your videos. Thankyou.
What is a legal enforceable warrant? There are loads of videos where they arrive with with court paperwork saying that it is a warrant where the house holder Denys them entry because the so called warrant was signed by a court official and not a magistrate for judge.
It would be nice to get clarification of this.
A bonafide judge would never put his name and signature on the piece of crap tvla call a warrant .
The only time a warrant allows entry to a private property is when it is signed by a judge standing under his/her common law oath.
@@GH-lo8vl However, these days that warrant can be electronic, i.e. a document on a phone. Difficult to verify if it's real, especially if the police are also present and believe it to be real.
@@Thurgosh_OG - If the police have to ask you to come in, they're asking because they know the warrant isn't enforceable without your consent -
ua-cam.com/video/g-Fn4BiHekk/v-deo.html
@@Thurgosh_OG If it's on a phone, how can they provide you with a copy?
Great and comprehensive explanation! Your contribution to public knowledge is much appreciated... and pro bono I might ad ! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
I think I have experienced "Culture Shock." Having been brought up in a country where signals broadcast over the airways are free, I find the TV License appalling.
Scrambling the signal being broadcast and selling the decode that changes on a monthly basis would be much more cost effective.
welcome to socialism and state run propaganda oh i mean TV, also i think UA-cam needs to kick off government run organisations like the BBC that rely on demanding money in this sort of manner.
The license is on behalf of the BBC, 8 TV stations, 40 radio stations and no advertising. Ignore the comment from Thuggee.
@@Quebecoisegal ignore? Because they're telling the truth? The sooner the vile organisation is gone the better. I see no reason why poor old Doris has to go without heating to contribute paying someone a million pounds to play records on the radio. Left wing biased propaganda that holds a monopoly and doesn't have to compete for funding (socialism).
It the right thing to do, so you can bet that it won't happen'
The cost of a TV would go up if unscrambling software for free to air TV had to be built in. That and the subscription cost could make it dearer than a TV licence
Could you go into a bit more detail on the warrants? What are they allowed to search and what counts as obstructing? Do we have to share computer passwords? Do we have to log in for them?
👍
@@BlackBeltBarrister Can you also go into if a computer is covered under the search warrant?
@@BlackBeltBarrister Hi Blackbelt Barrister - Responding to the above - I don't believe not aiding TV Licensing during an enforced warrant of entry is an obstructable offence - Are not computers covered by GDPR? No one is lawfully required to assist BBC perpetrators to build a case against themselves - Is not the onus upon the BBC perpetrators to prove their case without the assistance of the tenant/householder? Should the warrant have the name of the tenant/householder upon it? Or is it against the property only? - Thank You
If they get a warrant, use force entry, but I genuinely don't need TV licence, should they pay for damages they caused with the force entry and possible missed salary if need to be home until the door is repaired?
Also, what evidence they can give to the court to get the warrant if they don't have evidence that someone is watching TV without a licence?
This force entering someone's home without an actual evidence sounds dodgy.
@@juditvoros8933 Have heard of cases wherein BBC goons have lied to magistrates without providing evidence and the magistrate/s rubber stamp the warrant so to speak which in itself has to be unlawful....
I told the TV licence people I didn't need a license and hadn't watched TV for over two years due to being busy making gaming videos on UA-cam. The guy said it didn't sound like i needed a license and cancelled it. Within 6 weeks of my license running out one of their goons visited and put a note through the door saying he had visited to enquire why I felt I didn't need a license.
you need to register with tv licencing as 'No licence needed'.
@@justahumanbeing.709 Yeah, and give them your details so in futer, by mistake of course, they could charge you however they want😅
Due to the BBC and other TV channels constantly churning out repeats and crap I stopped watching TV I needed a licence for. So, on January 10th 2021 I made a 2-year declaration that I no longer needed a TV licence. I then cancelled my direct debit and considered the issue closed. Despite making the declaration I have received 7 letters from Capita so far.
Brilliant I stopped watching BBC and live TV 20 years ago . I stopped paying once I found out you could cancel it . Will they give me my money back
Depends on how long ago you cancelled. Also, you'll only get back the bit of the year left, that you'd paid in advance.
If you go to prison for not paying the fine, guess what they give to you as a part of the punishment - why! it is free television. You could not make it up. They condone your original offence!
It's not free, someone else pays for the licence..
@@WasNotWas999 The taxpayer funds it. It is free to the prisoners. It is not difficult to understand that.
@@icdgyixifyinstereo you don't say... I thought it was free...
@@WasNotWas999 Thinking is clearly something that you should leave to others.
Regarding obstruction, the following should be noted:-
(7) Where a person has the power by virtue of a warrant under this section to examine or test any television receiver found on any premises, or in any vehicle, it shall be the duty-
(a) of a person who is on the premises or in the vehicle, and
(b) in the case of a vehicle, of a person who has charge of it or is present when it is searched, to give the person carrying out the examination or test all such assistance as that person may reasonably require for carrying it out.
The requirement to assist only applies to the *examination and testing* , not the search.
It is not up to you, to show them where the equipment is, and if they happen to miss some equipment, that's their hard luck.
The official website is laid out and worded in a confusing manner that could quite possibly be done to mislead people into thinking they might need one when they don't.
My stepdads parents once had the TV licensing people come round saying they didn't have a TV Licence. In fact they did, the confusion had arisen because the house had a name and a number, and the licence was in the house number not the name.
They should do a bit more housekeeping on their address database before sending people out willy nilly to accuse people of not having a licence
@@davidspear9790 I completely agree
The Rehabilitation Act was 1974 not 1975, the exceptions are 1975. A minor point of law from a former barrack room lawyer ;-) Great series please keep up the work of explaining the law in simple terms.
I've gone through life without worrying about these goons. I don't pay for a tv license nor do I need one, because I don't watch live TV or record it. Mostly catch up on free to view.
Yet to have a visit from an inspector but if I do I won't be speaking to one as these are just sales agents. No thank-you goodbye.
It used to be compulsory if you have a TV you need a licence but it's not the case today
What constitutes them having 'reasonable suspicion' to be able to get a warrant?
You, in the lounge at night with your curtains open, watching live TV
Them, outside on the public pathway, looking in and making notes
TVL Warrants are extremely rare, and seem mainly to be used on people who have essentially claimed that they do not have to abide by the Licence law. TVL aren't supposed to gain evidence by looking through windows.
That is quite a specific question, so allow me to interject - they will usually only apply for a warrant in one of the following circumstances:
1. That an admission has been made by the occupier that unlicensed TV reception is taking place at the property;
2. That a TV Licensing agent has seen or heard unlicensed TV reception taking place at the property;
3. That unlicensed TV reception has been "detected" at the property (although the use of detection is very rare).
Furthermore, they need to be able to satisfy the court that access will not be granted without a warrant (e.g. they have tried to gain voluntary access, but have been refused).
It should be noted that the following alone are not sufficient grounds for a warrant, but they might support an application along with other evidence:
4. The presence of an external TV aerial or satellite dish;
5. Refusal to co-operate with TV Licensing;
6. The sight of TV listings magazines etc. at the unlicensed property.
There is a lot more information about this on our blog and in our free ebook: tv-licensing.blogspot.com/p/free-book.html
@@tvlicensingblog or if the licensing inspector disappears in the presence of lime and a shovel…
@@Beastriderpav hmm... *Lightbulb moment*
Thanks for an interesting video. What I don’t understand is if they are in your property what are they actually looking for? Owning a tv is lawful, presumably having the aerial plugged in is lawful. So what evidence are they looking for?
They are looking for evidence that the equipment is configured for receiving TV broadcasts, and also any recent recordings of TV broadcasts.
@@sudokuanimation1316 Hi. I get the recent recordings is a giveaway but even if your tv is configured to receive live broadcasts surely doesn’t prove you do actually watch it.
I would presume that they are mainly hoping that you crumble and say something incriminating. Even having a TV plugged into an aerial socket is not proof that you have been watching live TV.
Its issued as a permission to watch live TV and iPlayer in your home .its the activity or taking part in watching that's licensed not owning TVs
They're looking to stitch you up. If one comes knocking on your door. Close the door in their face. Investigation closed. Nothing good comes from interacting with TV License goons.
I have three old TVs which I intend to use the screens and part of the circuitry in other pieces of equipment. These TVs have not been switched on for a long time, and because of that and the age of the components, especially the Electrolytic Capacitors, Powering-up these TVs could damage them. If a Licence Inspector insists on powering-up these TVs, and it damages them, who is responsible for the repair/replacement?
Remove the mains plugs from redundant equipment. Thes Goons cannot connect them to the mains, therefore there is no danger.
If you have no aerial connected to the tv and it is not plugged into the mains they can’t plug it in and switch it on.
Owning a tv eu being in possession of a tv is not a crime.
@@experiment54 nor is having a TV plugged in with the aerial in the back. Unless you are watching TV when they come in, there is no crime.
@@MikeEves people have been done in the past so upto you bro. Set your tv up to be capable of receiving live broadcasts if you like. It’s your life.
Love the videos and am really grateful for you taking the time to help people out like this. It is such a shame that while growing up and going through the school system, that these law clarifications and revelations are not taught to the children as part of a "Life Skills" lesson plan.
Here is a quick question for you...... If a married couple do not buy a TV licence when they should, which one is prosecuted or are they both prosecuted for the offence / crime? Just curious really???
Keep up the great work and stay safe,
Joe
@ Joe's Model Kits: Excellent point, Joe. As the late Peter Burns from Dead Or Alive said 'Kids need to learn how to handle life not what to do with the decimal point'.
Another great video. It would be interesting to see you review one of the many TV license warrant entry videos and get your take on it.
#DefundtheBBC
I don’t understand the hostility around TV licensing, I have not required a TV license for over 10 years, informed the required department, had one visit where I was friendly and open, didn’t even want to enter the premium to check, and then every two years I just reconfirm that I don’t require a licence, done no hassle no visits. Being obstructionist just implies that you have something to hide.
Can temporarily connecting a live 230V supply to the door bell for license goons get you into trouble?
If you don't have a TV licence, switch off the sound whenever you open the door - or switch to a recording - and have a radio playing by your door.
I had letters for a year to "The Occupier" until I declared and then I did the online declaration.
Two weeks later I had a capita agent at my door armed with my name wanting in to prove it.
Just ignore the letters. They do nothing. I've not paid in years. I don't watch iPlayer. My TV isn't connected to the aerial (that came with the house, and I ain't taking it down coz the next person who lives here might want it). I don't even watch the BBC YT channels.
They need your legal fiction name for contract, if they send to THE OCCUPIER, then there's no contract and nothing they can do, as in all contract law, there must be acceptance by both parties, all LEGAL STATUTES are governed by contracts.
I'm gonna buy one, I'm gonna buy one, OK? By rights, I would not be requiring one this year on if the old rules still existed, being 75 now. Why don't you launch a campaign, like you did with the NHS records thing, for the over 75s! If it was successful you'd be the hero of all the elderly folks.
Moral of the story is simple " Do not talk to them EVER " .
My Nan wants to know what happens when the old bill smash down the front door and she hasn't got her teeth in and her curlers are still in. Thanks
Ask her to call me!
@@BlackBeltBarrister I think she's fallen in love with you. Do you take cash? 😂
I understand that many 'live' programs are broadcast with a several seconds delay. This is to enable any infringements such as naughty words can caught and bleeped out. Therefore, are we technically watching a recording?
What does a lawful warrant look like? I've seen TV Licensing people claim they have a warrant.
@@xdc1776 the 11th edition of Black’s Law Dictionary has finally been published-with the decades-old error officially corrected. Quoting Jurisprudence, Black’s Law Dictionary correctly reads: “So far as legal theory is concerned, a person is any being whom the law regards as capable of rights or duties.”
There is an exact copy of the warrant in our article here: tv-licensing.blogspot.com/2014/11/tv-licensing-search-warrants-prevention.html
Believe it or not, these warrants are normally typed by Capita TV Licensing (or the police, RSPCA or whoever) and sent to the court for consideration and authorisation. There is no standard prescribed format for the appearance of a warrant, so different variations are possible.
@@tvlicensingblog Will the signature be a real signature or a stamp/photocopy?
@@simonyoungglostog At the current time it might not even have a signature, but it will have been authorised by the named magistrate. The majority of warrants - and that's police warrants too - are being dealt with remotely due to coronavirus.
@@tvlicensingblog correct me if I'm wrong but this warrant allows only to test tv set not other kind of display/device?
Loving the video's mate, appreciate your time. Maybe you could cover car insurance claims and the right to withdraw claims after filed.
I'm a little crazy tbh, if someone attempted to enter my home in what I feel to be an agressive manner I may hurt someone, mental health is never taken into account though so I'd get in trouble even though the actions of these people carrying out their job all be it a slimy one would trigger my PTSD at which point I'd not be in control of myself, I would say they wouldn't deserve what they had inadvertently caused and I'd regret hurting anyone, but at least you can opt out online to avoid this or be polite and deal with it asap I suppose.
From what i understand, if YOU dont talk to them or let them in, they couldnt get a warrant and when they visit , you just SHUT the door, Investigation over and no possible warrant or charges can occur.
NOW- what if they look through your window and see you watching LIVE tv without licence. Can you claim in court TRESPASS and have charges withdrawn? or can they gather the warrant that way and come back and force way in?
@
BlackBeltBarrister A topic idea for your next video. Why is compulsory to "Register to vote"? My borough was harassing me with letters / door to door, saying that is an offence to not register. Voting should be a right, I don't want the government to force me to "register" to vote.
A great channel, pal.
Takes me right back to my law lectures 1991-1993 with Liz Williams QC.
I wish that you were around then. Maybe I would have pursued a career in financial law. Who knows?
It is a worry. Ive been paying my licence fee for months when i dont watch tv. I stopped using BBC and anything that warrants a licence ages ago.
I have had a letter but it has the wrong address on it. This was posted through the door about four days after i logged on line that i didnt need one. Its worrying.
The only time I have ever had a visit from the the TV licence people was when I didn't have a TV. "Oh do come in."
Back in the 90s I was paying an amount of money to pay off my TV License, I couldn't afford the payments and asked for them to be reduced(£70.00 was left to pay).
They refused to lower my payments and took me to court.
I explained to the Judge my financial circumstances and that I'd given up smoking purely for financial reasons, he was impressed by this and lowered my debt to £40.00 also allowing me to pay off the debt at the reduced rate that I'd asked for.
I'll never forget the Judge because he was fair and could see that it wasn't that I refused to pay but that I wasn't able to afford the high payments they wanted at that time.
The DVLA don't send someone around to my house to see if my car is in the driveway if I declare it SORN - and there's far more money at stake there - as far as TV licensing are concerned - if they send someone to my property - they'll first be politely asked to leave - and if that fails - then I'll use reasonable force to eject them. End of!.
Thank you so so much. I was panicking about my DBS!
Not had a licence since 1987 as I do not have a television. If they get a search warrant and find no tv I would question how they got the warrant. Did they lie? Do I have a case for harassment getting letters every month since 1987?
With regard to obstructing a warrant, would there be any consequences if you switched off the power to your property? Would they have the right to use your electricity? You won’t be physically stopping them from testing your television. You can invite them to bring their own generator in. If you turned your electricity off, would they be allowed to enter your fuse box to turn it on? You can’t reasonably search for a television in a fuse box? A fuse could always be taken out. Also, if they wanted to test your television, would disconnecting your broadband be an obstruction? Thoughts please.
My tv has never been connected to anything other than a playstation and when the tv licence bloke came round I let him turn it on to check, and Eastenders appeared on screen. It's never occurred before or since, but I was taken to court and had to pay. Most odd.
Proves the theory that it's best just to close the door on them and don't say anything other than "No thanks.".
@@EricTViking Absolutely.
What would the situation be if you have TV licencing turn up with a warrant, but without uniformed police. And you refuse to let them in, on the grounds that you want to verify their identity or the authenticity of the warrrant? Are you within your rights to refuse them entry whilst you summon the police, or try to contact tv licencing? Or have you committed an offence right away?
Thanks for the many interesting videos.
Say nothing, shut the door, get on with your life. There is nothing they can do.
Warrants can be electronic, as in, on a mobile phone these days, so tricky to prove it's false. Contacting the police might help, if they are educated on warrants and don't just believe the 'warrant' is real, which would of course mean letting them in your house. if a TVL goon gets in, he WILL find evidence, even if he has to make it up.
See ChillieJonCarne YT channel for lots of info about this.
@@Thurgosh_OG "if a TVL goon gets in, he WILL find evidence, even if he has to make it up. "
Hence why you should video everything.
What a ridiculous country we live in. It is a subscription not a license. You should not be going to court for not paying a TV subscription
If you do not watch TV there is trick (that will cost you). Send your TV set to the service or a technician and tell them to remove the RF demodulator.
Thank you very much for your video! What happens if the "evidence" provided by the agents to obtain the warrant is plaily made-up by them?
As far as I know, you have to accept the warrant at face value unless something is clearly wrong on the document, ie dates etc, and challenge the evidence used to obtain it in court.
I don't watch live TV or BBC Iplayer, but I do use TV's to watch streaming services from Netflix and Now TV. TV's are set up to receive the BBC and live TV, but I have to press the "source" button to select the HDMI input for the Roku device's I purchased to receive Netflix and Now TV. Now here is the point, if I'm not quick enough to select the HDMI input, I might receive live TV for a few seconds. It is not my fault that TV's are basically set up this way, but it is the BBC's fault that I have no alternative other than to disconnect the Arial, another point is that I have a SKY box connected because SKY didn't want it back and because Netflix plays better through it than the Roku player I leave it connected, whether I like it or not that Sky box can pick up Freeview channels even though I never watch them and what about the programs I recorded on it before I stopped paying the licence fee? I don't want or watch live TV or BBC Iplayer, but I am concerned that If a warrant is issued to enter my house that the argument could be made that I have the equipment to watch live TV regardless of the fact that I don't. I don't see it as my responsibility to render all devices in my home incapable of receiving live TV, to be honest I don't know how to. The only way I can see that a prosecution could be bought is if I was actually to be caught watching live TV. Clearly the BBC is relying on all this uncertainty to frighten people who don't need a licence into buying one. Please can you let me and other people in my position know where we stand. It would be so much easier if Freeview boxes required a card to be inserted or a number to be entered given out on payment of the TV licence fee, that way all the uncertainty would be removed. I look forward to hearing from you.
If you own a tv with freeview how does tvl prove you watch live stream. Ownership of the equipment is not proof as you could only be watching non live content.
I never realise how bad our justice system is in this country. I believe in innocent until proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt. More and more times you have to prove your innocence in this country.😢😠😡still loving the videos👍😁😊
I think the most confusing thing about the TV license, for me, is how 'TV' (i.e. the content, not the device) is defined. At what point does someone creating content qualify as 'TV'? Is it when they do it with a certain frequency, when they employ e.g. editors, when they register themselves as in the business of livestreaming?
The easiest way to not say the wrong thing, is to say nothing at all, not even hello or goodbye.
In Australia we don’t have TV licences but for minor offences police can seize all of your computers and cameras as evidence and take them away which would be a major inconvenience. You will get them back but I bet that would take months and they won’t be gentle with them.
Australia has been in the forefront of NWO brutality
I don't have a TV but dare not let them know as I know I will be pestered. People can't believe that a person can live without one.
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Can a person whose property is being searched for a TV that can receive licenced channels switch off his electricity supply, as the electricity passing through the meter is paid for by the house owner , surely they have the right to refuse use of it,, Has this been done ,
Can you talk about employment law and zero-hours contracts? Is it permissible for employers to use them to trial people before offering them a permanent contract?
yes they can , if they take you on with a zero hours contract then offer you a job later. If the job is advertised as permanent , no they cant , you are applying for a permanent job , but they can persuade you to take a zero hours contract with the provision you will get a permanent contract if they think you are ok. They can sack you anytime they want until you have fulfilled their probation period , so it would be a odd thing to do.
So how would anyone executing a warrant then entering the house determine that the TV has been used to live view a programme rather than Netflix?
so I think think this what we should all take from this video, is the last 30 seconds at10:00, "be because there is a difference between recordable offenses and non-recordable offenses but as always" it's not recordable so it is just a fine? right?
then most important part at 10:07,
"neither this video or anything else you read online should be taken as formal legal advice"
so should you say this when the nock on your door, ( your not speaking without formal legal advice, thank you good-bye, then close door)?
then at 10:12,
"you should speak to your own lawyer even before answering any questions of tv licensing agents or even police officers whether or not under caution because you have the right to legal representation and to speak to
a lawyer before doing so" so how would this work in the real world, with the tv
licensing (thugs, being help by the police breakdown your, door, the interior of your house, home (castle,) with or without paper work"
with then intent of finding what they are looking for:- most TV, will new TV's will auto Tune, if asked when tv, is selected, even with out an aerial connected, there are going to be some ghostly very snowy cannels received, than we have their iPlayer, its on the internet, you typed in to a web-browser address line, if you have the inter-net, you have iPlayer, also, unless your outside the UK? used or not?
then at 10:26,
"understand the criminality of tv
licensing"
searching
Imagine if your local window cleaner decided you needed to pay him £200 a year for clean windows, whether he cleans your windows or not. Would it be acceptable if he then threatened to fine you £1000 if you didn't pay the £200 but had clean windows, using threats of kidnap to coerce payment?
No, I can't imagine such a ridiculous comparison.
Would 28 letters from BBC licencing , when told in writing that no Television is owned, constitute harassment, over a period of 16 years?
When a warrant is issued by a “court” what does that mean? As I understand it a “court” doesn’t have to held in a courthouse with magistrate sitting who can issue a search warrant, but apparently this is not the case and warrants are sent out from Bulk Mailing Centre in Nottingham where warrants are printed without an embossed court seal or a “wet” signature. Surely this unilateral charge in the law to suit TVL and the debt companies enforcement agents, who buy the debts for coppers cannot be right, because they are a third party with whom the tenants do not have a contract. The “assistance” given by the police to agents when they should only be there to keep the peace and not assist agents to collect money or gain entry.
Is it true a search warrant gives them the right to access my personal computer, even to extent of my having to give them my password?
No. Computers, phones, tablets are specifically excluded from the scope of TVL Warrants.
Thanks in clarification 👍👍
I have stopped watching TV due to the fact that I have no remote or plug that goes to the set also no recording devices,am not able to watch any DVD's so I do not think that this would require me to have a license.
Couldn't the homeowner just unplug the aerial from the back of the TV, when the people serving the warrant are about to search their house, thus leaving no evidence?
"Forced entrance and found evidence you were watching television?" What evidence, other than you were sitting down watching TV when they smashed your door down?
In Law would there be any redress for anyone who has had a Search Warrant issued against them ( I believe some evidence is required by Magistrates to issue any Warrant?) but no evidence of needing a TV Licence is found (Legally owning TV but using it within the Law - Not requiring a TVLicence)? - This would make the original 'evidence' supplied to gain the Warrant as false?
In theory someone could be breaking the law and an agent might hear Eastenders live but be refused entry. When they come back later with a warrant the householder may have sold or moved the TV to other premises.
Loving the videos, can you explain the CPS test "in the public interest", what does that exactly mean.
I would question the police having the power to force entry, their role is to prevent a breach of the peace. The warrant is issued to the tvl/capita employees. There is also, I believe legislation preventing police officers from assisting private companies in the execution of a warrant.
No one has ever been convicted wen they simply ignored them
Is that true? You can't "ignore" Police with a warrant.
@@bobrew461 true but if u ignore them they have no evidence so can't get a warrant lol 😆
@@Ashs-mini-vlogs
What about bailiffs then? I know they can't break in like a Sheriff, but if a careless person leaves a window open...?
@@bobrew461 that's got nothing to do with TV l
@@Ashs-mini-vlogs
Of course it has! If you don't pay the fee without cancelling first, they will send the "salesmen" round. If you keep ignoring them and you are unlucky you may get a visit from them again with the police with a warrant. If you ignore that lot you may be taken to court for non payment of the fee. Ignore that and get a judgement against you. Ignore that...then the bailiffs call. Only so much ignoring you can do, y'know.
What is the actual evidence needed to show that you watch tv without a licence?
Do they have to look through a window and observe you doing so?
I would think that if they cannot say that they saw/heard a TV live broadcast/BBC iPlayer programme, then there could be little if any justification for a warrant. There has NEVER been a prosecution based on evidence from TV detector vans - for the simple reason that these are all in reality a cleverly-propagandised figment of the BBC's imagination!
You basically have to admit to ut
"Hello Mr TV Licensing salesman, I'm watching live TV without a license, do come in and see, my name is....". That kind of evidence.
What happens if they come into Your House with the Police find TV not attached to Aerial then plug in Aerial to get a Signal! Can You get the Police witness's to arrest the TV inspector for Fabricating Evidence against You?
How can a court give a tv salesman permission to search your house? I would refuse entry to anyone who is not police with a warrant.
is it allowed/reasonable to request that the be police be present should TV licencing show up with a warrant? and then waiting outside (to prevent any adjustment of evidence) with them until said police arrive?
because it has been reported that the agents will state they have a "warrant" which has been proven to be untrue/fake...
Thanks you are the man, I just checking out the Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera you use looks like a little great camera.
Another great video, thank you. Please can you do a video on the recent changes to the offensive weapon laws around possession of items inside your home?
What’s changed? Thanks
@@experiment54 it is now illegal to own certain items such as throwing stars and zombie knives, even in your own home. Be good to drill down a bit more into the particulars such as exactly which items and the penalties
@@SnowySleet thanks for the info. Will research some more.
I would assume compelling evidence might be said goon demanding one switches the TV on and if it goes straight to a live boradcast station that would indicate illegal use enough to convict?
If they played with the remote and found the TV capable of receiving the signal, ie aerial or satbox still connected even if the TV is never used for live reception from either aerial or satellite dish, would still being capable of receiving live images be considered compelling evidence?
Is it legal for a big store to give your details to Tv licensing when you buy a tv brand new ?.. I'm sure this happened to me years ago
I read that it was overturned but stores may still do that to cover their butts.
It's probably legal, but it isn't a requirement any more - was repealed in 2013.
Good point, I remember a store doing this to me I just gave fake details, I don't think they can do that now under Data protection, I have purchased a few TV's in the past for pc & Netflix and never since been asked for my personal details.
Go into Tesco's and purchase a TV and they don't ask for details well they never asked myself or my daughter when we purchased a TV.
@@robotmad most people just gave details of somebody they didn't like or owed them money
Thanks for this series of videos. Very informative.
Exactly what counts as "evidence" of watching broadcast TV? Surely owning equipment that could receive broadcast TV doesn't count?
Many here are referring to BBC TV Licensing* "Inspectors", as if they have some special legal status. They have no more legal authority than a double-glazing salesman. They are motivated by their commission (about £20 a go) for selling a licence.
*TV Licensing is an operating arm of the BBC, which retains all responsibility for its agents, mostly Capita Services plc. It is not a separate official body as is widely believed.
But most people have a satellite dish - usually Sky I suppose - so, if a person has a satellite dish, is that an indicator to the BBC "inspectors" that the owner of the property with one, needs to have TV licence?
Can you talk about the 'obstruction' aspect.
For example, if I'm weeding the front garden when the goons come with a warrant, do I have to stop weeding to let them in? Or can I tell them I'm going to continue with my business, and they're welcome to exercise their warrant through the use of a locksmith. I won't obstruct them.
Is the relevant case... 'rice vs Connolly! .?? '
they are not entitled to use your ( batteries in remote ) or mains electricity to test the TV they must bring there own power sources and test equipment , you can insist that there power and testing appliances are Fully certified as compliant
What about just Watching UA-cam do you need a TV License for old non BBC History programmes seeing as my Old Plasma TV is no longer working it’s a minefield of Technical Legal Rabbit holes which I find quite daunting and intimidating my 2year non Licensing Requirement is due for another Re-Visit peace of mind from you Mr Blackbelt Barrister
Companies and TV licensing questions. Company uses a TV as a large display in a meeting room, it is not connected to an external TV signal, but is connected to the internet, update to BBC iPlayer (which is installed by default on the TV) requires a user to login to access content. #blackbeltbarrister two questions. The company uses the TV for presentations, so does the company need a license for the TV. And if the company’s policy is for employees not to user BBC iPlayer at work, is this sufficient, or if an employee using BBC iPlayer on a company or personal device whilst at work (on premises) would the company need a licence?
So what evidence? Even if they have a warrant to come in, if the TV is switched off they have nothing. Owning a tv is not an offence.
If you do make a declaration, you do still get hounded!