In the transport sector, Ashtons Legal is 'a highly regarded regional law firm with some outstanding lawyers'. Lead partner Tim Ridyard in Bury St Edmunds is 'one of the very best transport and regulatory lawyers there is', and clients remark on his 'genuine and extensive wealth of experience'. His expertise lies in providing regulatory advice and representation to operators in the goods and passenger road transport sectors, focusing predominantly on operator licensing matters. He frequently represents road transport operators at Public Inquiry hearings at the Office of the Traffic Commissioner.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Ashtons Legal is a highly regarded regional law firm with some outstanding lawyers.’

  • ‘Tim Ridyard is one of the very best transport and regulatory lawyers there is. He has a genuine and extensive wealth of experience which he utilises very well within his field. He is very approachable and clients like him.’

Key clients

  • RSK Group Ltd
  • Mick George Limited
  • Roger Warnes Transport Ltd
  • FA Hawkins Ltd
  • Nick Brown Transport Ltd
  • B P Mitchell Haulage Contractors Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advising a very large Group with turnover in excess of £1bn comprising numerous companies in diverse environmental, waste and engineering activities. The work centres on due diligence, reviewing and auditing compliance and applying for new operator’s licences for subsidiaries.
  • Retained by regional construction company Mick George Limited to advise on road building, construction projects, ground works and aggregates to 300 goods vehicles and other types of vehicles/plant. Advice on all aspects of operator licensing, driver licensing, drivers’ hours and maintenance systems.
  • Representing four different operators in the past 12 months at Traffic Commissioner public inquiry hearings in relation to haulage of foreign-owned trailers with recurring legal issues. All were being represented on the same legal points.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Tim Ridyard