Road Transport
Regulation is viewed as a necessary evil by the majority of businesses. Transport has certainly seen its fair share of new regulation introduced by the Government, such as the new Drivers CPC Rules in force in September 2009. The Government has also recently launched a consultation on drivers' hours so further changes could be on the horizon.
The regulations and legislation relating to transport are broad ranging and can be very complex. Companies large and small need all the help they can get to keep abreast of developments. Bond Pearce has a team of dedicated and experienced transport lawyers who understand the commercial challenges and needs in the industry.
Problems are often encountered by businesses at times of both growth and contraction when more support is needed.
Management structures that may have served the company well for years become stretched to breaking point either by more work or less staff. The first link in the business chain to break is often maintenance of the fleet. The same is often true of effectively managing drivers' hours.
Failings in either area leaves an operator open to prosecution and/or an appearance before the Traffic Commissioner. Every company director should be aware of the new corporate manslaughter provisions. These provide for a substantial prison sentence on conviction. The Traffic Commissioner on the other hand can at a stroke put a company out of business.
Specialist legal advice can keep transport operators out of the clutches of regulators. Whether they run coaches, buses or lorries. No operator the Bond Pearce transport law team has represented has had its Operating Licence revoked.
We can undertake regular audits to ensure compliance and advise on how management can be re-structured to prevent pressures increasing.
Prevention is better than cure, but if it does go wrong then the team has significant experience in road transport cases before the Courts and Traffic Commissioners and is always able to act quickly and effectively to give you the best possible chance of defending your position.
