Can a "bouncer" (door staff/security) at a pub or nightclub legitimately use

[crazeetaxi]

force or eject you? Please note for people who are employed in this profession, I respect you (well, most of you) and am grateful for the job you do - this question is not to test or annoy you! I've never been in trouble with a bouncer and have been grateful to see them take swift action many times.

The thought just randomly entered my head today that I am wondering can a bouncer legitimately use force to eject somebody from premises or to 'end a situation' by use of force, in other words basically giving somebody a thump.

With most things you are given warnings, such as in a cinema there are warnings posted that state use of recording equipment is prohibited and offenders will be ejected or/and police called. I've never seen a notice in pubs/clubs saying that trouble may be dealt with by force.

It's obvious to most people, but I wonder if someone from a country without pubs/clubs went into one and was set upon by bouncers (rightly or wrongly) could they potentially sue for assault?

[vdv_desantnik]

legally they can use reasonable force to eject a person after making reasonable requests to leave, they cant hit somebody to stop an argument but they can pull them apart

[lincsdoorman]

Reasonable force is part of the job sometimes, How people define "reasonable" is difficult, as every situation is different. sometimes it is now classed as "necessary force" instead. As for the assault part of you question, it is possible to sue. Although most doorstaff will not assault anyone without it being required. By this i mean if a person genuinely believes that they are about to be assaulted, it is totally LEGAL, to use a pre emptive strike. Just remember that doorstaff in the uk have to be trained, qualified and licensed with the sia. All this comes to a cost of £350 to £450. I for one would not put my livelihood in jeopardy by assaulting somebody for no reason.

[VICTORMACE]

P.S.N.I. usually tell us in Belfast equivalent force if hes shouting and screaming and being verbal use aggressive verbals back if he lifts a chair or bottle to hit you you are justified in using what force is necessary to control the situation.

[Marian]

From the book "SAFER DOORS" by Andy Walker issued to me on my DS course in 2004:

[andywilliams1187]

Reasonable force only. If a door superviser was to thump anybody, regardless of what country they were from, they would be able to bring a case of assualt against the DS, hence why some have their licenses revoked.

[Heno]

A DS may use reasonable force to eject a patron. If the patron has been asked to leave and refuses or ignores the request, then he/she has become a trespasser and reasonble force may be used to eject the patron.

That doesn't mean the DS can kick the s**t out him and throw him through a window though, the force used must be direct proportion to the threat, i.e. If the patron is six foot ten and gearing up to wreck the place, then a pre-empitive strike would be justified, if, on the other hand he was a 5 foot waif then a pre-emptive strike COULD be seen as assualt.

A DS, or anyone for that matter, can meet force with force and should the DS, (or average joe on the street) beat the baddie senseless then they may find themselves up for assault.

However, if the DS (or average joe) did everything they could to de-escalate the situation and/or leave the area, then the law will look upon you in a more favourable light.

Heno