Bath law firm Stone King has set up a dedicated traffic team to defend local motorists and deal with an increase in drivers challenging prosecution.
The team is made up of five experienced solicitors headed by Emma Haley, an expert in traffic law. Working alongside her is Andrew Banks, who specialises in transport law, and fellow team member Jonathan Lewis.
Andrew and Jonathan are higher court advocates meaning they can conduct cases in the crown as well as magistrates’ court. Other members of the team include Celia Strathdee, who has 27 years’ legal experience, and Richard Kirby, a former court legal adviser.
Emma Haley said: “The number of drivers who we have successfully defended continues to grow.
“Greater reliance on roadside technology by police has resulted in an increase in the number of people facing – and challenging – prosecution. We expect that this will rise still further if government plans for on-the-spot fines for careless driving are introduced.”
Peter Woodhouse, who heads the firm’s transport team focussing on the needs of commercial operators, added: “We have acted for commercial operators for many years and the growth of this team gives us unrivalled expertise that we can use for the benefit of road
Stone King, which also has offices in Melksham, Cambridge and London, employs more than 160 people including 23 partners and 60 fee earners.