From risk to relief: Surviving a high-stakes public inquiry

We understand that not all cases are the same, and when our customers are in need of support, that's where we step in. In this particular case, we explore how a director received an unexpected notice of public inquiry, and how we helped them obtain a positive outcome.

Proactive legal support helps business operator avoid catastrophic licence loss

When a long‑established business (our customer), and one of its directors, received notice of a forthcoming public inquiry from the Traffic Commissioner, the news sent shockwaves through the business. Alleged shortcomings identified during a previous DVSA visit had raised concerns around the company’s good repute, financial standing and professional competence.

The implications were stark. At worst, the Traffic Commissioner could suspend or completely revoke their licence. Not only would this have brought the business to an immediate halt, but the individual directors faced the possibility of being disqualified from involvement in any  operation in the future. Livelihoods and jobs were suddenly at risk.

A tight timeframe

The timeframe set out by the Traffic Commissioner was extremely tight, and following initial guidance from our panel solicitors, it became clear it may be particularly tricky given the circumstances.

To give our customer the strongest possible representation, our Regulatory team recommended instructing a specialist barrister—someone with the experience to handle the complexity of the situation.

Intensive preparation and hands-on support

A significant amount of work was required before the Inquiry. Our legal team met with the customer and the director in person, enabling them to:

• Provide clear advice on the processes and evidence the Commissioner would expect
• Review historic and current operational practices
• Identify gaps in compliance and advise how these should be addressed
• Collate and prepare extensive documentation necessary to demonstrate corrective action and good governance

The collaboration between our customer and our legal specialists was critical. The director supplied a substantial amount of records, while our team ensured the presentation and structure of the defence met the strict standards of the Inquiry process.

A life-changing outcome

Thanks to the significant preparation and the robust advocacy of the specialist barrister, the Public Inquiry concluded with a formal warning only.

This outcome avoided:

• Suspension or revocation of the operator’s licence
• Immediate loss of the business' contracts
• The business being forced into administration
• Redundancy for more than 10 employees

The director described the support we gave as "invaluable", expressing deep gratitude for the guidance and reassurance provided at one of the most stressful periods of his career.

This case is a strong example of our unwavering commitment to our customers, especially when the stakes couldn't be higher. Our legal team going above and beyond helped prevent consequences that could have been devastating.