Event Management Law
A concert attendance at Wembley was cancelled on the eve of the performance wherein Madonna was to debut her latest album. The decision was prompted after some fans started to faint, with temperatures hitting the high 90s Fahrenheit. And in an unprecedented move, Wembley chiefs have now put themselves on a collision course with the star by snubbing her air-conditioning demands for her next six shows.
Wembley Arena marketing manager Colin Roberts said: "A lot of people realise that 12,000 people in a confined space will generate a lot of heat, as well as the production itself and the lights.
"There's a health and safety issue with regards to the audience and that's why we will be reviewing the situation and her requirements."
The snub will infuriate Madonna, who is very prickly when to comes to the sensitive matter of her vocal chords. Her and her husband Guy Ritchie have even reportedly resorted to sleeping in separate bedrooms because the singer refuses to sleep in an air-conditioned room.
Despite concert-goers on her American tour dates describing the heat as 'suffocating', US organisers refused to overrule her demands. But Wembley bosses insist that they have a duty to uphold health and safety guidelines.
Mr Roberts added: "For the future shows, I think it is more appropriate to have it on throughout. Asking for the air conditioning to be turned off is not something that we are regularly asked to do but the artists do have an element of control and we have to take directions from them. However this is now being reviewed."
A Brent Council spokeswoman said that they had a responsibility for "public safety standards" and carried out inspections both before and during the concert.
"Our public safety manager found the venue to be too hot during the performance and asked the arena manager to put on the air conditioning which is used in the building, which he did," a spokeswoman said.
The singer has already come under fire for hiking up ticket prices for her UK dates, with the most expensive tickets costing £160 plus a £13 booking fee.
As a result, Madonna's shows have STILL yet to fully sell-out, as fans revolt against the steep prices. For those wishing to see her in Horsens, in Denmark, there is a flat-rate of £63, while the most expensive ticket for her show at the Amsterdam Arena is £96. The cheapest ticket in America is as little as £30.
As well as the air conditioning ban, Madonna's backstage demands are also reported to include a brand new toilet seat at every gig, dozens of white roses for her dressing room and candles to protect her from 'negative glances and mean-spiritedness'.
After the London dates, Madonna is taking her tour to Europe, where she is playing in countries including France, Germany and Denmark.
A spokeswoman for Madonna admitted that there was no air conditioning but said that there was an air filter system working throughout the concert.
QUESTION:
You are the event organiser for this concert:
Please draft a report advising Madonna and her management on the following matters:
Please advise Madonna whether it is you or Madonna (or both of you), who are responsible in law - (health & safety/tort/contract) - towards members of the public and staff attending this concert? (Please also consider recent history in relation to this issue).
Please also advise what matters a court might consider if a harmful incident occurs due to lack of air conditioning at the concert?
You are also responsible and oversee the work of the safety manager at Madonna’s concert. Please detail what safety checks should be carried out, and the scope of your duties, prior to, during, and immediately after the concert.
(TOTAL MARKS:100)
In the report students are expected to state which laws apply, (e.g. recent case law, statutes, EU law, and/or any codes of practice), and to draw on legal theory, journals, newspaper articles, academic texts etc, to give a full account of how current law affects the staging of the above concert.
REPORT STRUCTURE
- Executive Summary:
This section should condense the entire report into a summary of 250 words. It constitutes a ‘report within a report’ and should provide a thematic overview of the information contained in the body of the paper, and the ultimate recommendations in brief.
It is suggested that you complete the executive summary after you have finished the main report.
- Introduction
This should familiarise the reader with the nature of the event and go on to mention the issues to be covered.
- Event Context
The nature and market for the proposed event should be discussed briefly. Any political and/or socio-cultural features of the event should also be mentioned.
- Legal Issues
The legal issues should be dealt with in this section.
Using sub-headings, students should aim to explain in clear language to their client, what legal matters may arise and how to avoid liability and unwanted litigation.
Students must draw on case law, statute and any necessary EU law to support their project. For example, if liability in Negligence were an issue, due to unsafe seating at a rock concert, then relevant regulations and/or examples/cases should be provided.
- Recommendations
In light of the research, students should provide recommendations as to how the event should be organised, or could be improved from a legal perspective,
- References and Bibliography
It is expected that textbooks, journals, websites, case law, statute, newspaper reports etc will be consulted.
Students should be aware that the over-liberal use of quotations as a substitute for word count will be penalised.
Do not include print-outs of articles in appendices.
Word-count contained in appendices will not from part of the assessment.
Students should use the Harvard system of referencing.
- Plagiarism
The writing of your paper must be entirely your own work. Whilst the sharing of research is permitted, sharing of written content is NOT and is deemed as plagiarism and will be treated as an academic offence.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
• Clear and logical discussion of the issues
• evidence of wide and relevant research
• concise explanation of the relevant law and effective use of case law where relevant
• critical analysis of the issues
• demonstrate a detailed understanding of the relevant subject areas
• relevant and practical application of the law
• ability to reach conclusions and to make recommendations where possible
• well written and structured paper with appropriate references and bibliography
11 years ago
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