The pub industry is worried licensees could be prosecuted for complying with local authority and police demands to set minimum prices in a bid to stamp out binge-drinking.
The Office of Fair Trading has broadly suggested the schemes are legal as long as the publicans do not instigate them.
But the British Beer & Pub Association says it has received advice suggesting licensees could be seen as part of a price-fixing cartel. That would make them vulnerable to prosecution under the Competition Act. The trade group will warn members next week not to participate.
