Taxi Legal - Taxi Defence Barristers Blog
Taxi Legal articles and topics relating to taxi licence refusal and revocation.
A round up of Government proposals for further taxi & private hire law reform
There has recently been a raft of announcements from various Government departments about proposed future changes & plans relating to the taxi & private hire sector. In this article, I will be looking at the Government proposals and what the implications are for the sector.
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“Absolute” provisions in taxi & private hire policies – is there room for manoeuvre?
Increasingly convictions policies are being framed in more absolute terms using terms such as “will not” be granted a licence. The use of “absolute terms” in licensing policies inevitably raises the question of whether such a policy is binding in their effect and whether, therefore, it fetters the discretion of the decision makers.
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Taxi/PH drug driving a “growing problem” according to police
Police said drug driving in the taxi/private hire trade is becoming a “growing problem. Many drivers are not aware that the same rules apply to drivers who are found to be unfit due to taking prescription drugs that are not illegal.
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“Doing lifts” – An emerging unlawful industry
The emerging popularity of “doing lift” services is an issue that regulators need to urgently get to grips with as it is undermining the UK’s stringent taxi and private hire licensing laws.
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Appealing a decision of a licensing authority
Taxi and private hire drivers, operators and proprietors should always give serious consideration to appealing a decision by a licensing authority to refuse, revoke or suspend a licence.
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New “tax” registration checks proposed for taxi/PH sector
The Government is set to announce legislation that will require tax registration checks to be undertaken on all taxi and private hire licence holders.
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Allegations against taxi/private hire drivers
Malicious allegations can be difficult for a licensed driver to manage and there is a lot to consider. It is important for any such a driver to be well represented by an expert in both taxi/private hire law and criminal law.
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Minimum wage for private hire drivers?
Will there be a change in Government policy to introduce a minimum wage requirement for private hire drivers? We look at the Government’s response to a Parliamentary question.
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Are dress code policies legally justifiable?
Government launch consultation on national taxi database for air quality
Under the Government’s proposals, not only will there be a centralised database to enable the identification of all taxis and PHVs operating in England and Wales but licensing authorities will also be required to share this data is through the use of powers under the Environment Act 1995.
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Low Emission Zones – Legal Implications for the Taxi & Private Hire Sector
They way Clean Air and Ultra Low Emission Zones operate may cause taxi and private hire licence holders some difficulty in relation to their ability to strictly comply with certain statutory obligations that are placed upon them.
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Can the London Assembly improve taxi and private hire services in the capital?
The London Assembly Transport Committee has launched an investigation to consider how to raise standards in this sector.
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“Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing – Steps towards a safer and more robust system”
The Department for Transport has published the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing report and recommendations.
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Taxi Defence Barristers are pleased to announce the opening of their Scotland office – Taxi Defence Scotland
Kings View Chambers and Taxi Defence Barristers are pleased to announce the opening of their Scotland office – Taxi Defence Scotland.
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Will there be a statutory definition of cross border hiring and plying for hire?
Whilst we still await the Department for Transport’s final Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle licensing report, the newly re-elected chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Taxis has given an indication of the lobbying they will be focussing on in the forthcoming year.
Will there be a statutory definition of cross border hiring and plying for hire?
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CCTV in taxis – What is the law on continuous recording?
Continuous recording CCTV systems are systems that start recording whenever a vehicle is running and continues to record until the vehicle engine is switched off. When a taxi or private hire vehicle is used privately (i.e. not for hire or reward), the CCTV system continues to record.
Is continuous recording CCTV systems installed in taxis lawful?
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Disclosures on Enhanced Criminal Records Certificates
The Supreme Court recently handed down an important ruling concerning information that can be disclosed on an enhanced criminal records certificate (“ECRC”). The ruling handed down by the Supreme Court in this case will have implications for the taxi and private hire sector.
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Can a taxi or private hire driver argue “exceptional hardship” when facing losing their licence?
We are often asked by taxi and private hire licence holders whether “exceptional hardship” is a valid argument to advance in cases where they are facing a disqualification for totting up.
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Taxi & private hire licensing information to be entered on national database
Information about drivers who have had their licences refused or revoked will have their details entered on to a national database for councils to check before issuing licences.
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Will the Government legislate to limit the number of private hire licences?
Sadiq Khan has written to the Government seeking new powers to limit the number of private hire licences in the capital. Will the Government introduce new powers to limit private hire licences?
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Is it worth appealing a decision of a licensing authority?
Taxi Defence Barristers offer clients a free initial case assessment. During this free initial case assessment conversation, clients often ask if it is worth appealing a decision of a licensing authority.
When deciding whether an appeal is worth the effort, time and cost, there are a number of things to consider.
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Taxi & Private Hire Licensing Law Reform in Wales
Follow us Earlier this year, the Welsh Government launched a consultation on wholesale taxi and private hire licensing law reform in Wales. Currently, the same legislative framework for regulating taxi and private hire licensing exists in both England and Wales. ...
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Taxi Defence Barristers wins licence back after false allegation
Mr Tony Scott instructed Taxi Defence Barristers to represent him in his appeal against a decision of Conwy County Borough Council to refuse him a licence on the grounds that he was not a fit and proper person.
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The Inclusive Transport Strategy: Government publish vision to accessible taxi & PH sector
The Government has published its Inclusive Transport Strategy. What does it mean for the taxi and private hire sector?
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Uber driver has plying for hire charges thrown out
An Uber driver reported for two offences of illegally plying for hire in Reading has had the charges thrown out in an important test case.
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Can TfL lawfully revoke licences for social media posts?
We have recently seen reports on social media that some licensed driver’s have had letters from Transport for London (TfL) threatening to revoke licences for content posted by these drivers on social media.
Can TfL lawfully revoke licences under these circumstances?
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Licence suspensions: Punishment or public safety?
Follow us There have recently been media reports of a licensed hackney carriage driver who have had their taxi driving licence suspended by Bolton Council following a case of “misconduct” by the driver. It appears from the minutes of the Licensing and Environmental...
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Guilty until proven innocent?
It is a fundamental principle of English law that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Does the same principle apply however to a hackney carriage or private hire driver?
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Court upholds Uber’s appeal against its London licence refusal
Westminster Magistrates’ Court has today upheld Uber’s appeal against Transport for London’s (TfL) decision not to renew its operating licence in London.
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Losing your licence is not the end of the road
If your taxi or private hire licence is revoked, refused or suspended, the law allows you to appeal such a decision. Since you are allowed the opportunity to appeal, a decision taken by a licensing authority to take your licence away is not the end of the road.
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Taxi Defence Barristers are taxi legal team who specialise in helping drivers who have had their licences refused or revoked. Our barristers have challenged the decisions of TfL and the PCO for many clients. We don’t underestimate importance of guiding clients through the complexities of hackney carriage and private hire laws. We ensure our clients understand at each stage what is going on.
Please contact us to discuss your taxi license refusal or revocation.