Taxi Licence Appeals

Taxi Licence Appeals

We are no longer taking on new Taxi Licensing Appeal clients.

Taxi drivers have to be licensed by a local council or Transport for London (TfL). The rules apply to both private hire and hackney (including black cab/FX4) drivers.

Can the Council Prevent You From Getting Your Taxi Licence?

Before issuing a taxi licence, the council must be satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person. Councils and TfL can also suspend or revoke existing taxi licences on the grounds that the driver is no longer a fit and proper person.

Where a council is considering refusing a new application, or revoking an existing licence, it may invite you to appear before a taxi licensing panel or sub-committee. The hearing is usually before a number of councillors and their legal adviser. It is very similar to a Court hearing and formal evidence may be called.

You can be represented by a Solicitor if you wish. Our specialist Solicitors have considerable experience in representing clients at these hearings. We can help you put forward your case and our attendance can make all the difference.

If the council or TfL refuses to issue a licence, the driver can then appeal to the local Magistrates’ Court and must prove that he or she is a fit and proper person. The authority may also attach conditions, against which it is also possible to appeal.

If the council or TfL revokes or suspends an existing taxi licence, the driver can appeal to the Magistrates’ Court and in some cases may continue to drive a taxi pending appeal. At the appeal, it is arguably the council which must prove that the driver is not a fit and proper person, although some councils argue that the driver must still prove that he is.

Councils and TfL can also suspend or revoke existing taxi licences on various grounds, for example penalty points, or convictions or cautions for driving offences, dishonesty, sexual offences or violence. In some cases, councils seek to rely on unproven allegations, often of a sexual nature. An accusation of or conviction for plying for hire (“touting”) may also lead to suspension or revocation.

Appeals must be lodged within 21 days of formal notification of the council’s decision.

If an appeal to the Magistrates’ Court is unsuccessful, it is also possible to appeal further to the Crown Court. Again, the appeal must be lodged within 21 days and in some revocation cases the driver may continue taxi driving pending that appeal.

If you are unsure of your position, it is always best to seek legal advice from a suitably experienced lawyer.

Click To Read Our 1st Taxi Licence Appeal Case Study

“We represented Mr S, a Manchester private hire taxi driver. Following two unproven allegations made against him by members of the public, which were not pursued by the police, his private hire badge was revoked by the council. He had also failed to disclose that his licence had been revoked by another council as well.
He appealed to the Magistrates’ Court but was represented by another firm of Solicitors and was unsuccessful.
He was then recommended to Richard Silver Solicitors. We took over his case and successfully appealed to the Crown Court on his behalf. Although the Council, represented by a senior barrister, argued that he was not a fit and proper person, we were able to persuade the Judge that his taxi licence should not be revoked.
Mr S was very relieved by the outcome. Had the appeal been unsuccessful, he would have lost his livelihood and been unable to support his family. He was also able to carry on taxi driving while waiting for the appeal to be listed.
This case demonstrates the importance of instructing Solicitors with specialist experience of taxi appeals in both the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts.
If your taxi licence has been revoked or refused, you should contact Richard Silver Solicitors immediately.”

See more testimonials and case studies.

How Richard Silver Can Help You with Taxi Licensing Appeals

We have considerable experience of taxi licensing appeals all over the country and a high success rate. If you are an existing client, we can represent you at any stage of the process. This includes representation before the Taxi Licensing Panel or Committee at the application stage.

Previous allegations, convictions or cautions are not an automatic bar to obtaining a taxi licence. We have successfully represented many clients who would otherwise have been prevented from working as a taxi driver due to previous convictions or accusations, including motoring offences and sexual allegations.

We can also represent you if you are accused of plying for hire (“touting”) or other breaches of taxi licensing regulations. As any conviction for offences of this nature can also lead to revocation or suspension of your taxi licence, it is always a good idea to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

Representing yourself can be difficult, but that’s where we can help. The council will always be represented by a specialist Solicitor. They will often rely on complex legal arguments which can be very difficult for unrepresented drivers to contest.

That’s why you should always make sure you have the best legal representation. Our experienced solicitors can put forward the best possible case on your behalf and help you to obtain or keep your taxi licence.

Click To Read Our 2nd Taxi Licence Appeal Case Study

“Mr C had been a taxi driver for many years. However, following his conviction and imprisonment for three counts of speeding and perverting the course of justice, his private hire badge was revoked by the council.
Following a recommendation, he then instructed Richard Silver Solicitors and we successfully appealed to the Magistrates’ Court on his behalf.
Despite his earlier convictions and prison sentence, and against the Council’s objections, we were able to persuade the Court that his taxi licence should not be revoked. He was also able to carry on taxi driving while waiting for the appeal to be listed.
Our client was delighted by the outcome and has since recommended us to other drivers. Had the appeal been unsuccessful, he would have lost his livelihood and struggled to support his young family.
This case demonstrates the importance of instructing Solicitors with specialist experience of taxi Appeals.
If your taxi licence has been revoked or refused, you should contact Richard Silver Solicitors immediately.”

Contact our Taxi Licence Appeals Lawyers based in Manchester for Expert Taxi Law Advice

If your taxi licence has been refused or revoked, you need expert legal advice to help you argue your case.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your case, and find out how we can help you. If possible, please email to us a copy of any letter you have received from the council or TfL.

We can represent you in anywhere in England or Wales. In all cases, our fees are competitive and fixed in advance.

Call us today, on FREEPHONE 0161 834 9494.

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