How to Lawfully Handle a Rude Bouncer

H O W T O L A W F U L L Y
H A N D L E A R U D E
B O U N C E R

Bouncers and security guards
are hired for the protection
of an establishment and the
people within the area.
Depending on the situation,
they may have to rise up to
the occasion in order to keep
their clients, customers, staff
and the establishment safe
from any danger. However,
you must know when they go
overboard.

What Bouncers Can
and Cannot Legally
Do?

1. IT IS NOT LEGAL FOR THEM TO REQUEST YOUR
PERSONAL INFORMATION.
Bouncers may ask for your
ID if the venue has any
rules regarding your age.
However, it is not
permitted by the law for
them to ask for your name,
phone number or address.
In the case that they do
ask, you have the rights to
refuse as it is not legally
permitted.

2. THEY ARE ALLOWED TO KICK YOU OUT OF THE
VENUE.
Venues and establishments
all have their rules and
conditions. Bouncers and
security guards are hired
to ensure that these
regulations are met. In the
case that you or someone
else has failed to comply,
the bouncer has the rights
to escort you out the
venue.

2. THEY ARE ALLOWED TO KICK YOU OUT OF THE
VENUE.
However, they are not
permitted to use excessive
force in doing so. They may
place their hands firmly on
your shoulders to guide you
out of the area, but they
may not shove, punch or
assault you in any way.

NOTE:
If the bouncer is offduty
or is outside the
venue, they are not
permitted to remove you
from the premises.

3. BOUNCERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO DETAIN OR
ARREST YOU.
Only the police have the
power to detain or arrest
you. Bouncers and security
guards may only make a
citizen’s arrest. This means
that they can only detain
you until the police arrive.

What to Do if the
Bouncer is Rude

In the case that a bouncer or a security
guard has been rude to you, you may file a
formal complaint to the establishment or
the owner of the venue. However, if they
crossed the line by forcibly searching you,
obtaining your information without your
consent, assaulting you or unlawfully
detaining you-- Here is what you need to
do:

GET THEIR NAME AND/OR
THEIR ID NUMBER.
FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT.
GATHER PROOF, EVIDENCE
AND/OR WITNESSES.
GET IN TOUCH WITH A LAWYER
TO HELP YOU FILE A CASE.

REMINDER:
Don't let rude bouncers repeat their
acts. Immediately report their
behaviour and save other people from
another incident.
EXECUTIVE LEGAL