James Backhouse 

James qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and began specialising in road transport law in 1994 when he joined the family firm – an established practice that focused on transport law since 1930.

James’s experience includes involvement in two Article 177 references to the European Court of Justice, an appeal to the House of Lords, and multiple cases before the Court of Appeal and Divisional Court. He has also been consulted on the drafting and review of proposed legislation affecting the road transport industry.

James is widely recognised for his deep expertise and strategic insight. The Chambers Guide describes him as having “an excellent reputation in the sector for his deep Public Inquiry experience and wide-ranging regulatory expertise. He represents clients in Court and Tribunals and has extensive experience handling issues relating to the application and protection of operator licences.” He also regularly advises on specialist topics such as load security and bus service reliability.

When not defending operators, James enjoys sailing with his family and undertaking road trips. 

Why should you
attend?

By prioritising the wellbeing and safety of your workforce and fostering collaboration with the police, you’ll not only reduce accidents and improve compliance but also improve employee satisfaction, retention, productivity and reduce operating costs.

Join us to network with industry peers, gain expert advice, and leave with actionable, practical information to create a safer, healthier, and more efficient workforce. Together, with the support of the Roads Policing, we can drive a safe and healthy future for the transport and logistics forward.

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