Archive: Public Inquiries

Specialist Transport Lawyer Martin Smith represented a haulage company at a Public Inquiry on an application for a Standard National Operator’s Licence. The Traffic Commissioner had concerns that the applicant was a front for another business and that false evidence had been submitted. After hearing evidence and submissions made by […]

Martin Smith represented a haulier called to a Public Inquiry following a DVSA maintenance investigation carried out as a result of an application which the haulier had made to add an operating centre and increase the total number of authorised vehicles and trailers. The Deputy Traffic Commissioner expressed concern that […]

This large bus and coach operator had been called in to Public Inquiry following concerns the Traffic Commissioner had over whether the business had the necessary financial standing to operate its fleet. Prior to the hearing SBC worked closely with the operator to advise on how financial standing could best […]

This operator, represented at Public Inquiry by barrister Harry Bowyer, ran into difficulties when a competent employee left the business. His replacement was more impressive in talk rather than action and standards began to slip. The drivers took advantage of the lack of oversight and began to skimp on their […]

An operator, represented by Barrister Helen Newbold, was called into a Public Inquiry on two counts. The primary concern of the Traffic Commissioner was that the Operator’s evidence of financial standing was obtained from a number of difference sources.  As a result, it was difficult to demonstrate that the required […]

This restricted goods vehicle O licence holder was called to Traffic Commissioner’s Public Inquiry after a number of maintenance and compliance failings came to light. These included a high PG9 rate, and evidence that a vehicle was used on the road without an MOT in place. Prior to the Public […]

This operator, represented by barrister Helen Newbold, was called in by the Traffic Commissioner to a Public Inquiry over concerns about the maintenance of his vehicles. Helen Newbold was able to demonstrate that the operator was largely maintaining his fleet correctly however his lack of engagement in record keeping prevented […]

This Operator was called into Public Inquiry, where he was represented by barrister Harry Bowyer, after a vehicle was stopped whilst wearing this Operator’s disc but being operated by a third party. The Operator had leased a number of  vehicles to a rogue and  had omitted to remove the discs […]

Barrister Helen Newbold represented two companies, with a common directorship, and one company’s Transport Manager in their recent conjoined Public Inquiry.  The operator of a Standard International licence was facing the possible revocation of his licence due to the systemic use of an operating centre which had not yet been […]

Martin Smith represented an applicant for a Standard National Operator’s Licence at a Public Inquiry before the Traffic Commissioner. The sole director of the applicant company was also the proposed nominated transport manager. In addition, he was also the nominated transport manager on three other licences. The Traffic Commissioner had […]