Christabel Hallas attends a reception at the Houses of Parliament recognising best practice in the Law and Justice sector - click for more details. Legal advice from Christabel Hallas, a Specialist Transport Solicitor, to put you in the right direction. Facing a prosecution or inquiry can be an anxious time, and my role is to secure the best legal outcome at reasonable cost, whilst making it all as stress free as possible.
As a specialist transport solicitor and transport lawyer I offer legal advice and representation to those involved in the road haulage industry, and to motorists facing prosecution for motoring offences. From making an application for an operator's licence through to a preliminary hearing or public inquiry before the traffic commissioner, you will have the benefit of my dedicated expertise and assistance.
As a specialist transport solicitor and transport lawyer I offer legal advice and representation to those involved in the road haulage industry, and to motorists facing prosecution for motoring offences. From making an application for an operator's licence through to a preliminary hearing or public inquiry before the traffic commissioner, you will have the benefit of my dedicated expertise and assistance.
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I am a transport lawyer with many years experience representing haulage operators, professional drivers and motorists and hold the CPC qualification for haulage at the national and international level. I initially read Geography at Durham, took an MBA, specialising in marketing and small business management and ran my own business.
Each public inquiry is different and so proper and effective preparation of your case is essential. There is a lot at stake, not just the continuation of the business but also your employees' jobs. A public inquiry is an in-depth investigation; it is more than a mere enquiry. It is a legal procedure which has to adhere to the law as set out in the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 and associated statutory instruments.
From living and working in the Yorkshire Dales, I am in contact with the farming community and appreciate the challenges that they face. Agricultural businesses use a range of specialised vehicles. As a transport lawyer, I can advise on the licensing requirements for these vehicles and their drivers, any exemptions from operator licensing and drivers' hours, working time rules and the requirement for drivers to hold a driver qualification card.
For both taxi operators and drivers, the licence issued by their local licensing authority is important to them and needs to be protected. The local licensing authority will only issue licences to those whom they consider to be "fit and proper", yet there is no statutory definition of what this means.
Many transport offences turn on the definition of the word "user" where there is liability for both the driver of the vehicle and the owner. Although many of these offences are strict liability ones, it is still worth being professionally represented at court, so that the company's point of view is put forward to the Bench, who may have little knowledge of operating large goods vehicles, with the aim of keeping the fine as low as possible.
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Paul Duckmanton
Oct 04, 2020
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