Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiry Solicitor
Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiry Solicitor
Transport Solicitors Anton Balkitis and Chris Powell are 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.
Call our Transport Solicitors Email our Transport SolicitorsRepresentation 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 0115 910 6210 for a confidential consultation, or email transportlaw@rotheras.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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“Our experienced and specialist team represent clients nationally on a day-to-day basis”
Chris Powell
Transport Solicitor
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 at the Public Inquiry, presenting the evidence and making legal submissions.
At Rotheras 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.
Transport business allowed to continue despite undeclared change of entity from partnership to limited company
Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiry – January 2021 – Leeds Rotheras were approached by a transport business which had been called to a virtual Public Inquiry hearing by the Traffic Commissioner. This was a late notice instruction but nevertheless, transport solicitor Chris Powell was able to take the case on an urgent basis. With a matter […]Posted on 17th February 2021
Short O’ Licence Suspension for Haulage Company following Brake Testing Shortcomings
Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiry January 2021 Cambridge Chris Powell represented a traction-only haulage company that had been called to a Public Inquiry Hearing with the Traffic Commissioner. Although the business had not been operating long, a DVSA Vehicle Examiner Investigation had uncovered a number of problems with the business’ maintenance arrangements. Regular roller brake testing […]Posted on 17th February 2021
Posted 27/01/2020
"Impressive group with expertise in both matrimonial finance cases and children matters. A strong childcare team handles cases involving physical and emotional abuse, as well as fatalities. Well versed in matters with international aspects, Hague Convention cases, as well as adoption and guardianship issues.
Chambers UK, 2018
Posted 27/01/2020
Anton Balkitis frequently represents the operators of both goods and passenger vehicles in court proceedings. Clients remark: "He has a commercial understanding of real-life issues and will always provide a balanced view
Chambers UK, 2019
Posted 27/01/2020
Impressive group with expertise in both matrimonial finance cases and children matters. A strong childcare team handles cases involving physical and emotional abuse, as well as fatalities. Well versed in matters with international aspects, Hague Convention cases, as well as adoption and guardianship issues.
Chambers UK, 2018
Posted 02/06/2020
Chris Powell at Rotheras was recommended to us by a trusted associate within the Transport Industry; without doubt we wouldn’t have had the excellent outcome we did without his and his team’s involvement. The level of professionalism, expert advice and assistance was faultless; we felt reassured and well informed throughout the whole process. It was a pleasure to do business with him and would highly recommend his services!
Julian Brindley - John Brindley Ltd
Posted 12/08/2020
The team at Rotheras, and Mr Powell in particular, have provided us with an outstanding service. We are extremely grateful for the help and support they gave us in dealing with issues relating to our transport operations and our goods vehicle operators licence. Mr Powell was professional, knowledgable, efficient and effective. He quickly understood our business and the problem we had. He responded with sensible advice and acted quickly on our behalf to resolve the matter. I cannot thank him enough for his help and I would recommend Mr Powell, and the Rotheras team, without hesitation. I am extremely grateful for the help they gave us.
Richard Hitchcock - Hitchcock & King
Posted 12/08/2020
I would highly recommend James Briggs, solicitor at Rotheras. 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 Rotheras 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 Rotheras.
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 25/03/2021
Anton has substantial experience acting for commercial goods hauliers and other transport operators. He advises on a range of contentious issues including operator licence, maintenance and tachograph matters, with a wealth of experience acting in public inquiries before Traffic Commissioners."Anton is a highly informed and personable lawyer.
Chambers UK, 2020
Posted 25/03/2021
Chris Powell focuses his practice on road transport issues, regularly representing haulage, transport and logistics companies. He has considerable experience in regulatory matters involving operator licences and compliance failings, as well as more serious criminal investigations relating to fraud.
Chambers UK, 2020
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
Anton Balkitis
a.balkitis@rotheras.co.uk
Anton Balkitis leads the Transport Law team and is a nationally recognised Transport and Motoring Law specialist at Nottingham-based law firm Rotheras Solicitors.
Natalie Abbott
n.abbott@rotheras.co.uk
Natalie is an 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.
Olivia Maginn
o.maginn@rotheras.co.uk
Olivia Maginn is a transport and motoring law specialist at Nottingham based law firm Rotheras Solicitors.
Chris Powell
c.powell@rotheras.co.uk
Chris Powell is a senior associate solicitor at Rotheras, specialising in road transport law and motorist defence. He advises and represents haulage and PSV operator licence holders, Transport Managers and drivers on all road transport regulatory matters.
Lindsey Thorpe
l.thorpe@rotheras.co.uk
Lindsey is a Chartered Legal Executive and Paralegal based in our transport and motorist offence department.
Billy Shaw
b.shaw@rotheras.co.uk
Billy advises businesses on a range of commercial and corporate issues and is happy to assist you with buying or selling businesses, corporate mergers and shareholder agreements
Lauryn Wright
l.wright@rotheras.co.uk
Lauryn Wright is a paralegal in Rotheras’ Transport and Motoring department and is based at our Head Office in the Lace Market.