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Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiry Solicitor

Transport Solicitor Anton Balkitis is highly experienced in representing Transport and Haulage Firms before the Traffic Commissioner at Courts Nationwide. We have excellent success rates at Public Inquiries, DVSA Hearings & Driver Conduct Hearings.

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Representation at Traffic Commissioner hearings and DVSA Public Inquiry

We represent goods and PSV operators at Public Inquiry hearings before the Traffic Commissioner. We understand how damaging a Public Inquiry can be to your business, your reputation and your peace of mind. Our transport solicitors specialise in this niche area of regulatory law. We will help you to prepare your case, address any regulatory failings in advance, and represent you at your Inquiry hearing.

We provide a truly nationwide service, appearing daily to represent operators at Traffic Commissioner Inquiries across the UK, including:

  • Leeds
  • Golborne (Warrington)
  • Edgbaston (Birmingham)
  • Cambridge
  • Bristol
  • Eastbourne
  • Cardiff
  • Edinburgh

We offer free initial consultations and fixed fees. Speak to a transport lawyer today on 08456 465 465 for a confidential consultation, or email transportlaw@rotherabray.co.uk

Traffic Commissioner Driver Conduct Hearings Specialists

There are many reasons a transport business may be called to Public Inquiry with the Traffic Commissioner. These include:

  • Maintenance and roadworthiness failings, including S-marked PG9s
  • Drivers hours and tachograph infringements
  • Loss of good repute and criminal convictions
  • Environmental objections against your operating centre
  • Lack of financial standing
  • Undeclared material changes to the business
  • Unauthorised changes to your operating centre or maintenance provider
  • A Transport Manager failing to exercise continuous and effective control

A hearing with the Traffic Commissioner will usually follow on from a DVSA roadside stop or compliance investigation. Usually this will involve an inspection of your operating centre, fleet and records, and an interview under caution with a company director.

Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiries for new operator licence applications

If you have recently applied for a new operator’s licence the Traffic Commissioner can call you to a Public Inquiry hearing. This usually happens when there are concerns surrounding your good repute or any of the information you declared in your application. For restricted PSV licence applications, an Inquiry will often be held to decide whether the main occupation requirement is met.

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Anton Balkitis

“Our experienced and specialist team represent clients nationally on a day-to-day basis”

Anton Balkitis
Head of Transport Law

Possible outcomes from a Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiry

The Traffic Commissioner has wide-ranging powers to regulate operator licences. The Commissioner can:

  • Revoke an existing operator’s licence
  • Suspend a licence for a period of time
  • Impose a curtailment, thereby reducing the number of vehicles that can be operated
  • Impose additional conditions or undertakings

The Traffic Commissioner can also refuse an application for a new licence, or grant it subject to strict conditions.

Perhaps most seriously, the Commissioner has the power to disqualify individuals from holding an operator’s licence in the future, or acting as a Transport Manager.

How our Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiry Solicitors can help

In most cases, immediate and effective action at an early stage can dramatically improve your chances of a successful outcome at Inquiry.

Once instructed, our Public Inquiry solicitors act quickly. We will:

  • Review all the evidence and allegations and give tailored, specialist advice.
  • Liaise with the DVSA and Office of the Traffic Commissioner and submit written representations if appropriate.
  • Work with you to repair any compliance failings identified.
  • Advise on any additional information and documentation that should be sought.
  • Represent you at the Public Inquiry, presenting the evidence and making legal submissions.

At Rothera Bray we understand how stressful court proceedings of this kind are. Even a positive outcome at Inquiry can still result in considerable reputational damage. We leave no stone unturned to fight for the best outcome possible for our clients.

Nottingham Transport Solicitors – Nationwide clients

Our Public Inquiry lawyers have decades of experience representing operators from across the transport industry. We assist standard national, standard international and restricted O licence holders, including:

  • Goods vehicle (HGV) operator licence holders
  • General haulage companies
  • Multinational freight and logistic firms
  • Owner operators
  • Scaffolders, plant and construction businesses
  • Waste management and tipper companies
  • Deliveries and removals businesses
  • Courier services and franchisees

Passenger transport (PSV) operator licence holders

  • Bus and coach companies
  • Minibus operators
  • Tour operators
  • Registered bus service providers
  • S19 and s22 permit holders

In addition to Public Inquiries, we also represent operators at Preliminary Hearings and Senior Team Leader Interviews.

If you’re happy then we’re happy too.

4.8 358 reviews

Posted 27/01/2020

Rothera Sharp Solicitors’ ‘skilled’ team handles personal injury claims including public liability, accidents at work and road traffic accidents often involving – among others – children and foreign nationals. Recent work included settling a claim for a pedestrian involved in a road traffic accident, acting for a child claimant following a hand injury sustained at a playground and representing a claimant in a public liability claim pertaining to fractures sustained on a slippery floor. Elisabeth Halls combines ‘good judgement with the right amount of scepticism and has a proven ability to optimise outcomes for claimants.

Legal 500, 2017

Posted 27/01/2020

I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me. I don't know whether you can truly appreciate how incredibly important the success of this matter is to me. I couldn't have done this without you, and there just aren't the words to express my gratitude to you for all this. You have enabled me to have a peace of mind and you just can't put a price on that. Please tell Rebecca how absolutely thrilled to bits I am with the work you have done for me, which is beyond priceless and for which I will be forever grateful

Mediation Client

Posted 27/01/2020

I want to say a massive thank you for all your hard work….I will never forget how you were prepared to believe in me….you energetically pursued my case to achieve the best possible outcome

J Wilson

Posted 27/01/2020

My previous dealings with Rothera Bray have always been excellent-total efficiency and professional. Jayne Smith previously and now Emily Weston. I would always use Rothera Bray as my solicitors. Thank you.

David Armstrong

Posted 12/08/2020

I would highly recommend James Briggs, solicitor at Rothera Bray. He has been extremely helpful, patient and thorough whilst helping me with affairs following the death of my husband. Even during lockdown (covid) he maintained communication and kept me informed of what was happening. He successfully achieved the outcome I needed and I would not hesitate to recommend him.

Yvonne Gold

Posted 30/09/2020

We are in the middle of launching our own packaging agency and contacted Rothera Bray for some professional legal advice with regards to contracts. After an initial call with Billy, he made it clear what we needed and asked plenty of questions to understand what it was we needed. He was very responsive to our questions, whether it be over the phone or via emails and made the process really simple. We had little experience in this area so it was fantastic to work with Billy, who explained everything concisely. We were also really pleased with the quick turnaround and great value offered. Would thoroughly recommend working with Rothera Bray.

Tom Burden, Director of Rightbox Ltd

Posted 30/09/2020

Billy understood our requirement from the get go and really nailed down on what we needed in our commercial agency agreement. Billy kept us informed every step of the way and showed great professionalism. We would recommend his services to any start-up business who is in need of legal advice and guidance with commercial contracts.

Axl Barber, Sales Director of Rightbox Ltd

Posted 11/02/2021

I was extremely pleased with the service that Kerry provided in order to sell my mothers house. Good, prompt communication and all questions dealt with or answered as requested. Consequently I would recommend yours services to others.

Adam Stevens

Posted 07/06/2021

Dear Sally, I can’t thank you enough for today! You took the pressure off me and I felt so looked after and understood everything that was happening. Thank you so much!

Kelly Neave

Posted 07/06/2021

My experience with Rothera Bray was an easy and smooth process, regarding a settlement agreement with a previous employer. They helped me understand all the legal jargon and details and made it very clear what the agreement was asking of me and what they would provide in return without it seeming complicated. They were prompt and resolved any issues or queries I had and I found them to be friendly and professional. I would definitely recommend Rothera Bray to anyone seeking legal advice, even if you've had no experience with a solicitor before, as they're very welcoming and help you to understand everything.

E. Jackson

Posted 06/07/2021

Thank you for all your hard work, which paid off in the end. As well, thank you for your amazing service and support you provided for me all the way through. It was pleasure to work with you and I wish you all the best.

Patrik Fresko

Posted 27/09/2021

I recently had the good fortune to engage Rothera Bray for a company sale. From start to finish, Sandeesh Samra and the team were on hand to give practical and professional advice.

Alison Purchas

Contact our Transport Team
Transport Team
Natalie Abbott

Natalie Abbott

n.abbott@rotherabray.co.uk

Natalie works in our Lace Market office. She is a Partner and Employment Law specialist with over 10 years’ experience representing both businesses and individuals across a range of employment services including settlement agreements, discrimination, dismissals and redundancy.

Anton Balkitis

Anton Balkitis

a.balkitis@rotherabray.co.uk

Anton Balkitis leads the Transport Law team and is a nationally recognised Transport and Motoring Law specialist at Nottingham-based law firm Rothera Bray Solicitors.

Olivia Maginn

Olivia Maginn

o.maginn@rotherabray.co.uk

Olivia Maginn is a transport and motoring law specialist at our Lace Market office.

Corina Radu

Corina Radu

c.radu@rotherabray.co.uk

Corina Radu is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Transport department and is based at our Lace Market office.

Georgina Power

Georgina Power

g.power@rotherabray.co.uk

Georgina Power is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Transport team and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.

Chelsey Sewell

c.sewell@rotherabray.co.uk

Chelsey Sewell is a paralegal in Rothera Bray’s transport and motorist offence department and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.

Lindsey Richmond

Lindsey Thorpe

l.thorpe@rotherabray.co.uk

Lindsey is a Paralegal based in our transport and motorist offence department in our Beeston office.

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