Business Details
Expert Transport Lawyers in Derby
Smith Bowyer Clarke is a specialist law firm dedicated to providing expert legal solutions for road transport operators and drivers across the UK and Europe. Our team combines legal expertise with practical industry knowledge, offering representation in traffic commissioner proceedings, driver conduct hearings, criminal defence, and compliance matters. As former transport professionals ourselves, we understand the unique challenges faced by the industry and prioritise client needs through fixed-fee structures, nationwide service, and a commitment to transparency. With decades of combined experience, our barristers and solicitors deliver strategic advice tailored to both regulatory requirements and operational realities.We exclusively represent operators and drivers, ensuring our clients receive focused advocacy without conflicts of interest. Our reputation for quality advice and successful case outcomes has been built through consistent client-centred service and deep sector expertise. We maintain professional accreditations and actively participate in shaping transport law developments through public inquiries and regulatory engagements.
Services
Operator Licensing
Traffic Commissioner
Driver Conduct Hearings
Criminal Defence
Compliance Audits
Highlights and features
- We offer a no-obligation free initial consultation for all transport law matters
- Our fixed-fee structures provide cost certainty for regulatory and legal proceedings
- We provide nationwide representation at traffic commissioner hearings and courts
- Our lawyers hold CPC accreditation and transport industry professional memberships
- We exclusively represent operators and drivers, avoiding conflicts of interest
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
Services
Operator Licensing
We provide comprehensive operator licensing services including applications, variations, and public inquiry representation. Our team helps transport businesses meet regulatory requirements through compliance audits and strategic advice. With experienced CPC-accredited transport managers on staff, we ensure licensing processes align with both legal standards and operational needs.
Traffic Commissioner
Our specialists represent clients at traffic commissioner hearings for licensing decisions and regulatory compliance matters. We prepare detailed submissions and advocate for clients during public inquiries. Our track record demonstrates success in securing authorisation increases and favourable compliance determinations for transport operators.
Driver Conduct Hearings
We defend professional drivers facing conduct hearings before the Office of the Traffic Commissioner. Our representation includes preparing mitigation strategies and negotiating outcomes that preserve driving privileges. We have secured reduced penalties and formal warnings in numerous cases involving serious regulatory breaches.
Criminal Defence
Our criminal defence team specialises in transport-related offences including tachograph violations, overloaded vehicles, and dangerous driving charges. We provide representation at magistrates' and crown courts while maintaining focus on vocational licence protection. Our approach combines legal expertise with industry-specific knowledge to achieve optimal outcomes.
Compliance Audits
We conduct thorough compliance audits to ensure transport operations meet DVSA and regulatory standards. Our services identify potential issues before inspections and implement corrective measures. We provide ongoing support to maintain compliance with evolving roadworthiness and operational requirements.
People
Simon Clarke
Partner, Barrister
Simon Clarke is a qualified barrister and transport law specialist with extensive experience in European and UK road transport regulation. He provides expert legal representation in civil and criminal transport matters while maintaining professional memberships with transport industry bodies.
Laura Newton
Partner, Solicitor
Laura Newton specialises in road transport law and motoring offences, with particular expertise in MOT appeals and taxi licensing matters. She represents clients in regulatory proceedings and has successfully defended numerous transport-related cases in magistrates' courts.
Harry Bowyer
Partner, Barrister
Harry Bowyer focuses on road transport law and criminal defence, with significant experience in advocacy before regulatory bodies. He has represented operators in complex licensing cases and maintains professional accreditation through transport industry institutions.
Tim Culpin
Consultant
Tim Culpin provides specialist transport law consultancy, combining legal expertise with practical industry knowledge. His advisory work focuses on regulatory compliance and dispute resolution for commercial transport operations.
Millicent Dooher
Barrister
Millicent Dooher specialises in road transport law and criminal defence, with notable success in defending drivers before the Office of the Traffic Commissioner. She has secured significant penalty reductions for hauliers facing regulatory breaches.
Questions
What areas of transport law do you specialise in?
We specialise in operator licensing, traffic commissioner proceedings, driver conduct hearings, criminal transport offences, compliance audits, and international transport regulations.
Do you offer fixed fee services?
Yes, we provide fixed fee structures for most regulatory and legal proceedings to ensure cost certainty for our clients.
Can you help with European transport operators?
Our international transport team advises European hauliers on UK regulatory requirements and represents them in cross-border transport matters.
How quickly can I get legal advice?
We offer rapid response to urgent queries and can arrange face-to-face meetings at your operating centre or home within 24-48 hours.
What makes your firm different from general law practices?
We exclusively focus on transport law with team members holding both legal qualifications and transport industry accreditations like CPC.
Do you handle both companies and individual drivers?
Yes, we represent both commercial operators and professional drivers in all aspects of transport law and regulatory compliance.
Reviews (1)
Salman Salman
Jun 22, 2026
Report
I had a very disappointing experience with this companys service and customer support. My main point of contact was Laura, whom I dealt with throughout the process. When they needed payment, Laura was extremely responsive and quick to reply. However, once I required assistance with my case, her attitude completely changed. After the appeal process at the Crown Court, there was no contact at all. I emailed and texted her numerous times but received no response whatsoever.
It was only a few days before the 28-day deadline given by the court that she finally replied with the available options, by which point it was obviously too late. Due to their lack of professionalism and seriousness, I ended up losing my case. They failed to provide timely guidance or proper support when it was most needed. I strongly advise others to be cautious. In my experience, this company is unreliable and unprofessional, and you risk losing both your case and your money. Its better to look for other, more trustworthy options.
It was only a few days before the 28-day deadline given by the court that she finally replied with the available options, by which point it was obviously too late. Due to their lack of professionalism and seriousness, I ended up losing my case. They failed to provide timely guidance or proper support when it was most needed. I strongly advise others to be cautious. In my experience, this company is unreliable and unprofessional, and you risk losing both your case and your money. Its better to look for other, more trustworthy options.
