Is being the host worth it?
Thinking of throwing another huge kegger
this weekend? Complete with beer bongs, beer pong, drinking games, and keg stands?
Although off-campus parties can garner some long-lasting fun memories, and some even more memorable hangovers, students need to realize that there is risk involved with hosting a party.
“I preach strongly for adult fun,” said Fanshawe College and the University of Western Ontario’s Housing Mediation Officer Glenn Matthews. “But along with adult fun comes adult responsibilities and adult liability.”
Being a provider of alcohol and serving as the occupier of an event where alcohol is being consumed are two potential ways how an individual may get sued in the case of a tragic event.
Potential liability begins if a person serves, provides, or makes alcohol available to another individual that that person knows or should know is intoxicated.
Even if a host does not provide the alcohol, that individual may become liable if alcohol-related injuries occur on the person’s property. The term “occupier” includes anyone in control of property who has the power to admit or exclude entrants.
“If students host a party there is a good possibility that they will be held liable,” Matthews said. “There is a potential for you, your roommates, and the guarantors on your lease to become liable.”
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), as the host of an alcohol related event (providing alcohol, serving alcohol or hosting a B.Y.O.B) you may be sued and held legally responsible when you knowingly provide alcohol to intoxicated guests who injure themselves or others.
Even if you don’t provide the alcohol, you may still be held responsible if your intoxicated guest has an alcohol-related injury on your property or, if you are a renter, on a property that is under your control.
MADD also stress the legal ramifications of the courts can be a lot more steep if someone under the age of 19 is involved.
“You are more likely to be held legally responsible when underage youth are involved,” the “Having a Party” brochure reported, which was co-produced by MADD and CAMH. “If you allow an underage B.Y.O.B. event to be held on your property, you may be held liable for injuries suffered or caused by a guest who is intoxicated”.
Any fee-paying student at Fanshawe College that has any concerns regarding their responsibility as a host of a party, or any other questions related to legal services, can take advantage of free legal support with Community Legal Services.
Community Legal Services is a non-profit organization funded by Legal Aid Ontario and The University of Western Ontario, providing free legal assistance to people who cannot afford a lawyer. The clinic is staffed by Western Law students working under the supervision of Review Lawyers. The Fanshawe Student Union subsidizes all involved costs for students utilizing the service.
The areas of law include; Landlord and Tenant Law, Criminal Law (summary offences), Charter of Rights challenges, Small Claims Court representation, Public Legal Education, Student Appeals, and Affidavits and notarial services.
Students can contact Community Legal Services directly at 519-661-3352 or they can schedule an appointment that can take place on campus in the Student Centre office SC2001.
Although off-campus parties can garner some long-lasting fun memories, and some even more memorable hangovers, students need to realize that there is risk involved with hosting a party.
“I preach strongly for adult fun,” said Fanshawe College and the University of Western Ontario’s Housing Mediation Officer Glenn Matthews. “But along with adult fun comes adult responsibilities and adult liability.”
Being a provider of alcohol and serving as the occupier of an event where alcohol is being consumed are two potential ways how an individual may get sued in the case of a tragic event.
Potential liability begins if a person serves, provides, or makes alcohol available to another individual that that person knows or should know is intoxicated.
Even if a host does not provide the alcohol, that individual may become liable if alcohol-related injuries occur on the person’s property. The term “occupier” includes anyone in control of property who has the power to admit or exclude entrants.
“If students host a party there is a good possibility that they will be held liable,” Matthews said. “There is a potential for you, your roommates, and the guarantors on your lease to become liable.”
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), as the host of an alcohol related event (providing alcohol, serving alcohol or hosting a B.Y.O.B) you may be sued and held legally responsible when you knowingly provide alcohol to intoxicated guests who injure themselves or others.
Even if you don’t provide the alcohol, you may still be held responsible if your intoxicated guest has an alcohol-related injury on your property or, if you are a renter, on a property that is under your control.
MADD also stress the legal ramifications of the courts can be a lot more steep if someone under the age of 19 is involved.
“You are more likely to be held legally responsible when underage youth are involved,” the “Having a Party” brochure reported, which was co-produced by MADD and CAMH. “If you allow an underage B.Y.O.B. event to be held on your property, you may be held liable for injuries suffered or caused by a guest who is intoxicated”.
Any fee-paying student at Fanshawe College that has any concerns regarding their responsibility as a host of a party, or any other questions related to legal services, can take advantage of free legal support with Community Legal Services.
Community Legal Services is a non-profit organization funded by Legal Aid Ontario and The University of Western Ontario, providing free legal assistance to people who cannot afford a lawyer. The clinic is staffed by Western Law students working under the supervision of Review Lawyers. The Fanshawe Student Union subsidizes all involved costs for students utilizing the service.
The areas of law include; Landlord and Tenant Law, Criminal Law (summary offences), Charter of Rights challenges, Small Claims Court representation, Public Legal Education, Student Appeals, and Affidavits and notarial services.
Students can contact Community Legal Services directly at 519-661-3352 or they can schedule an appointment that can take place on campus in the Student Centre office SC2001.
