What this means
Start with the exact decision in front of you.
The SIA may suspend a licence on public-safety or public-interest grounds, including while serious criminal or public-body investigations continue. Suspension is temporary but takes effect immediately and prevents licensable activity even if the holder challenges the decision.
Immediate priorities
Organise the position before responding.
Stop licensable activity and notify the relevant employer accurately
Obtain the grounds and information identified in the notice
Collect focused evidence addressing present public-safety risk
Detailed guidance
The procedure, evidence and possible route from here.
01
Understand why suspension is immediate
The SIA may suspend a licence where it believes the holder may be a threat to public safety or suspension is otherwise in the public interest. Its guidance gives serious criminal charges or investigations as examples. Suspension is a temporary protective measure, not a criminal conviction or final revocation decision. Even so, it takes effect immediately and the holder cannot lawfully undertake activity requiring that licence during the suspension.
Read the notice for the facts, information source and stated rationale. Separate the seriousness of the alleged event from evidence about current risk. Where little underlying information can be disclosed because a police inquiry is live, record what the SIA has actually said and avoid filling gaps with assumptions. A response should correct known errors and address present safety without attempting to obtain protected investigation material improperly.
- Confirm the legal ground and effective time
- Stop affected licensable activity immediately
- Define the current risk alleged by the SIA
02
Present focused public-safety evidence
Useful evidence may include mistaken identity records, charging documents, bail terms, police updates, employer incident material, verified role changes and current safeguards. Relevance depends on the ground. A clean work history or reference may provide context but does not automatically answer credible information about serious recent conduct. Writers should know the concern and explain the direct basis for any risk assessment.
Do not ask witnesses to withdraw accounts or coordinate a shared version of an incident. Preserve body-worn video, CCTV, duty logs and messages through the organisation that controls them. If a criminal solicitor advises limiting a substantive statement, communicate that procedural position to the SIA and provide material that can safely be given. Silence without explanation may leave the licensing decision based only on adverse information.
- Correct identity and source-data errors first
- Use informed evidence about present risk
- Coordinate safely with any criminal defence
03
Use appeal and review routes accurately
The SIA's guidance states that a suspension decision can be appealed in the Magistrates' or Sheriff Court, but the licence remains suspended during the appeal. Confirm the court named in the decision and the filing period immediately. An SIA complaint about service is not a licensing appeal and will not authorise work. Keep proof of filing and continue checking the public register.
The SIA can lift suspension when it is no longer necessary or maintain it while awaiting information needed for a licensing decision. Send material changes through the designated route, such as withdrawal of a charge, corrected identity or the conclusion of another investigation. Explain why the change affects present safety. A favourable development is important but does not guarantee restoration if other licensing concerns remain unresolved.
- File any court appeal in the correct forum
- Continue observing suspension during appeal
- Notify the SIA of material changed circumstances
Key questions
Keep the analysis tied to this stage.
Whether statutory suspension grounds are met
Whether suspension remains necessary as information changes
Whether the SIA should lift it or move to another licensing decision
Advice is provided only by the regulated firm that accepts a matter.
Common questions
Clarifying the route without assuming the outcome.
Can I work while appealing an SIA suspension?
No. The SIA's published guidance states that the suspension applies immediately and continues during an appeal.
Is suspension the same as revocation?
No. Suspension is temporary and protective; revocation removes the licence because the holder no longer satisfies the licensing criteria or another statutory basis applies.
Connected guidance
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Official sources
Check the material for this question.
Sources checked 19 September 2026. Rules change, so compare the current notice and linked official material and tell the operator if a citation or summary needs correction.