Jon P. McConnell

De facto security standards: Operators at risk

Hotel security standards required by law tell only half the story: Actual court decisions are equally valid when it comes time to enforce the rule of “reasonable care.” Our survey of hotel owners and operators collected data about court-mandated security standards and we discuss which of those standards hoteliers consider important and which are controversial

When the Patron Refuses to Leave

A recent case raises questions related to dress codes, citizens arrests, and the innkeepers right to evict unwanted persons

Room-Block Reservations When an Agreement Is a Contract

cases arising from disrupted room-block reservations and will provide suggestions for avoiding breach-of-contract actions resulting from informal agreements. The difficulties of enforcing an informal agreement stem primarily from the agreement’s very informality. Some of the agreement is oral, and the written parts are often ambiguously stated. It is important to remember, though, that an informal agreementeven when made orally-can be enforced as an informal contract, provided that the other elements that constitute a contract are also in place. (See the accompanying &dquo;contract primer,&dquo; on the following page.) The terms of an informal con-

Restaurant no-shows: Can you take them to court?

You held a table for a party of no-shows while waiting customers fumed in your foyer and finally left. If you suffered losses—wasted food and refused customers—you (theoretically) have legal recourse

Hospitality law: What we're teaching

Hospitality operations carry tremendous legal liability. Yet, some HRI programs make the study of law an elective, and some offer no law courses at all