A full judicial review of the licensing policies of Gloucester and Canterbury city councils has been given the go-ahead by the High Court.
The hearing, which will look at the powers councils have under the new alcohol licensing regime, will take place towards the end of May.
John McNamara, chief executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), said: "It's a shame it's come to this, but we just want a fair deal for the industry."
The action, which was taken to the High Court by industry bodies the BII, the British Beer & Pub Association and the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, could resolve the issue of how licensing bodies should interpret the new rules.
The groups believe some licensing bodies are demanding information and also stipulating that licensees should take action beyond that required under the new licensing act.
Although Gloucester and Canterbury have been singled out, up to 30 other councils in England and Wales are making unreasonable demands on licensees, according to the associations.