Transport: Road: Regulatory

What the team is known for

Market-leading practice with specialist expertise across the full spectrum of road regulatory matters, including representing operators in public inquiries and prosecutions. Acts for commercial and passenger clients. Represents a range of high-profile transport providers, including bus operators and logistics companies. Frequently appears on behalf of operators in the magistrates' court and in Crown Court proceedings.

Strengths

Sources say: “The firm is excellent due to its comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the structure and operation of the transport industry.”

Another interviewee adds: "It is a great firm. The lawyers are responsive, approachable and very knowledgeable.”

One respondent comments: “The team are very good at what they do. They are very professional and absolutely know their stuff, and are there whenever we need them.”

Work highlights

Acted for Catch 22 on an appeal against the revocation of a PSV operator’s licence.

Notable practitioners

Andrew Woolfall is a solicitor advocate with extensive court and public inquiry experience. He has notable expertise in operator licensing matters. He acts for a range of clients, including passenger, entertainment and goods companies, as well as individuals, in criminal and compliance proceedings nationwide.
"He is very approachable, he is passionate about what he does and he knows his stuff."

James Backhouse enjoys an excellent reputation in the sector for his deep public inquiry experience and wide-ranging regulatory expertise. He represents clients in court and tribunals, and has extensive experience handling issues relating to the application and protection of operator licences. He also advises on issues such as load security and bus reliability.
"James is recognised as a fountain of knowledge, he is really up to speed and knows his stuff." "He is one of the best transport legal experts, he knows the subject inside out and he knows the industry. He gives good, clear, concise advice."

John Heaton has a strong reputation in the market and a wealth of expertise advising on road transport disputes. He has a great deal of experience before the courts, Traffic Commissioners and tribunals as both a prosecutor and defender in road disputes.
"He is quite cerebral and he really digs into his cases."

Jonathon Backhouse has notable expertise in road transport matters. He has experience in public inquiries, cases involving operator licences and matters involving serious road traffic accidents. He also provides advice on compliance and is well positioned to advise clients on the impact of Brexit.
"He is very knowledgeable, very direct and a fantastic orator. He has the ability to understand issues very quickly and come up with solutions." "He can adapt himself to his environment and is able to take a complex situation and make it very simple."

Laura Hadzik regularly acts for a range of operator clients at public inquiries. She is additionally adept at advising clients on a host of regulatory and compliance matters.

Head of the regulatory road transport team Mark Davies focuses his practice on contentious cases. He has considerable experience advising on regulatory action and transport-related crimes including fraud in the Crown Court.
"Mark is highly skilled, knowledgeable, helpful and responsive. He is an expert and there to support you." "Mark is very hands-on. He is good at building relationships and understanding exactly what his clients want."

Scott Bell has broad experience of road transport matters and assisting clients with public inquiries. He regularly advises on compliance and operator licence applications.