Business Details
Expert Transport Law Solicitors in Derby
Smith Bowyer Clarke is a specialist law firm dedicated to providing expert legal advice and representation in road transport law. With decades of combined experience, our team of barristers and solicitors serves operators, drivers, and businesses across the UK and Europe. We focus on practical solutions for licensing, compliance, criminal defence, and regulatory matters, prioritising transparency through fixed fees and nationwide accessibility. Our lawyers, including CPC-accredited transport managers, offer industry-specific insights to navigate complex transport regulations.We exclusively represent clients in the transport sector, ensuring no conflicts of interest by avoiding prosecution work for regulatory bodies. Our commitment to client-centric service includes flexible consultations at locations convenient to you, backed by a proven track record in traffic commissioner hearings, civil penalty challenges, and cross-border transport disputes.
Services
Operator Licensing
Criminal Defence
Compliance Audits
Civil Penalty Challenges
Traffic Commissioner Hearings
Cross-Border Transport Advice
DVSA Investigations
Tachograph Offences
Driver Conduct Hearings
Highlights and features
- We exclusively represent transport operators and drivers in regulatory and legal matters.
- Our lawyers include CPC-accredited transport managers with industry-specific expertise.
- We offer fixed fees to ensure transparent and predictable legal costs.
- Proven success in challenging civil penalties and traffic commissioner decisions.
- Nationwide service with consultations available at client-preferred locations.
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
What people say
Expert transport law knowledge
Transparent fixed fees
Successful penalty reductions
Nationwide service availability
Industry-specific insights
Services
Operator Licensing
We assist with HGV and PSV operator licence applications, variations, and compliance. Our team represents clients at traffic commissioner hearings and public inquiries to secure or expand authorisations. With expertise in regulatory requirements, we ensure your business meets DVSA standards and maintains roadworthiness compliance.
Civil Penalty Challenges
Our specialists challenge civil penalties for clandestine entrants, unsecured vehicles, and regulatory breaches. We negotiate reductions or cancellations based on means assessments or procedural errors. Recent successes include securing 50% reductions and full cancellations for European hauliers facing Border Force penalties.
Criminal Defence
We defend drivers and operators in criminal cases involving tachograph offences, overloading, and dangerous driving. Our barristers represent clients in magistrates' and crown courts, achieving outcomes like absolute discharges and avoiding prosecution escalation through early intervention.
Compliance Audits
We conduct compliance audits to ensure adherence to transport regulations, including DVSA maintenance schemes and working time directives. Our audits identify risks and implement corrective measures to prevent enforcement actions and maintain traffic commissioner approval.
Cross-Border Transport Advice
Our dedicated team advises European hauliers on UK cross-border operations, including cabotage rules, border penalties, and vehicle importation regulations. We provide tailored guidance to ensure compliance with UK and EU transport laws for seamless international operations.
People
Simon Clarke
Partner, Barrister
Simon Clarke is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a qualified barrister specialising in European and UK road transport law, with extensive experience in civil litigation and criminal defence cases.
Laura Newton
Partner, Solicitor
Laura Newton, a Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, focuses on road transport law, motoring offences, and MOT appeals, combining legal expertise with practical industry knowledge.
Harry Bowyer
Partner, Barrister
Harry Bowyer specialises in road transport law, criminal defence, and advocacy, with a focus on traffic commissioner hearings and regulatory compliance for transport operators.
Millicent Dooher
Barrister
Millicent Dooher handles road transport law, motoring offences, and criminal defence, with notable success in challenging civil penalties and representing clients in traffic commissioner inquiries.
Tim Culpin
Consultant
Tim Culpin provides consultancy in road transport law and advocacy, leveraging decades of experience to advise on complex regulatory and compliance matters for transport businesses.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We specialise in road transport law, including operator licensing, civil penalties, criminal defence, compliance audits, and cross-border transport regulations for HGV and PSV operators.
Do you offer fixed fee services?
Yes, we provide fixed fees for most services to ensure transparent costs, including licensing applications, penalty challenges, and regulatory compliance consultations.
Can you help with traffic commissioner hearings?
Yes, our team regularly represents clients at traffic commissioner hearings and public inquiries, with a proven track record in securing authorisation grants and variations.
Do you work with international clients?
Yes, we have a dedicated international transport team advising European hauliers on UK operations, including compliance, penalties, and cross-border regulatory matters.
How do you handle civil penalty disputes?
We challenge civil penalties through means assessments, procedural reviews, and evidence-based negotiations, achieving reductions or cancellations for clients facing Border Force or DVSA penalties.
Can you assist with DVSA investigations?
Yes, we provide representation during DVSA interviews under caution, MOT disciplinary investigations, and compliance audits to protect your business interests.
