Taxi Legal - Taxi Defence Barristers Blog
Taxi Legal articles and topics relating to taxi licence refusal and revocation.
Mandatory taxi & PH emissions reporting set to go ahead
The Government has laid Regulations in Parliament that will make it mandatory for council’s to regularly upload certain taxi & PH data to a national emissions database.
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Hackney Carriage Fares: When you can charge what
Regulating fares locally places a number of statutory duties on drivers of hackney carriage vehicles. Here is a brief overview of what is permitted and what is not.
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Taxi Defence Barristers comment on Times “lifts” article
Licensing barrister and head of Taxi Defence Barristers, Stephen McCaffrey, was asked to comment on a Times article on the growing “doing lifts” industry.
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Return to base or right or roam?
In recent months, the debate on the legalities of cross-border hiring has seen no abating. There have been several judicial decisions on the matter and of course the taxi finish and task group has made recommendations to Government to legislate in order to address concerns and close the “loop”.
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Uber, Brighton and cross-border hiring – Overview of case and findings
The District Judge in the Uber v Brighton appeal has made a number of important statements on the legal status of cross-border hiring.
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Taxi Defence Barristers success in Crown Court taxi licence appeal
“This case clearly proved the importance of the right and expert taxi legal advice and representation and the importance of evidence to substantiate complaints in taxi and private hire cases.” – Stephen McCaffrey, Barrister.
read moreUber win Brighton refusal appeal
Uber has been successful in appealing Brighton City Council’s decision to refuse to renew its operating licence.
read moreA single national licensing authority for taxis in Wales
The Welsh Government has set out plans to take taxi and private hire licensing away from local licensing authorities and hand it over to a single national licensing authority.
read moreCross-border hiring: Is enforcement mandatory?
There are a variety of arguments put forward on what is, and is not, lawful in respect of cross-border hiring practices. The complication for the licensed trade is that these are only legal options. Ultimately what is needed is the judgement of at least the High Court.
read moreA 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.
read more“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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"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.
read moreAppealing 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.
read moreNew “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.
read moreAllegations 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.
read moreMinimum 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.
read moreAre 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.
read moreLow 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.
read moreCan 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.
read more"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.
read moreTaxi 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.
read moreWill 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?
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?
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.
read moreCan 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.
read moreTaxi & 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.
read moreWill 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?
read moreIs 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.
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. ...
read moreTaxi legal services when you need them
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.