Jeremy Woodcraft

Jeremy advises on road transport compliance, operator licensing, public inquiries, and DVSA investigations and prosecutions.

• Preserved the operator licence and thus the multi-million-pound business of a Bristol-based haulier at a three-day public inquiry. This resulted from a major DVSA hours investigation.
• Avoided material regulatory action against a specialist PSV operator, thereby facilitating the multimillion-pound sale of the business.
• Representing directors prosecuted in the Crown Court in relation to drivers’ hours offences
• Successfully defended a three-day prosecution in relation to allegations of permitting the use of a dangerous vehicle resulting from a coach crash in which several school children were injured.

Jeremy advises on health and safety compliance, investigations, and prosecutions, including working-at-height incidents, asbestos, construction, waste operations, and representation before the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts.

• Advised on an investigation into the principal designer of a major roofing project that resulted in serious injuries to a child.
• Represented a waste contractor in the prosecution arising out of the de-sheathing of a leg of a visiting contractor.
• Prosecuted many and varied cases on behalf of the HSE including:
• • • Construction failings by a sub-contractor which resulted in a two-week Crown Court trial.
    • A specialist quarry prosecution revolving around policy on safe face heights and scaling.
    • A large public school for breach of asbestos regulations.
• Conducted a three-day hearing before the employment tribunal in relation to an appeal against an HSE prohibition notice.

Jeremy advises on licensing law, including premises, entertainment, and sexual entertainment licences, licence renewals and variations, appeals, reviews, and regulatory compliance for hospitality, leisure, and event operations.

• Obtained a new premises licences contrary to cumulative impact policies in Nottingham, York, Leicester, and Bristol.
• Successfully appealed a review decision to preserve the trading hours and business of a nightclub business in Woking.
• Represented a national chain of bar restaurants through their growth and development.
• Renewed and varied a sexual entertainment licence against significant opposition.
• Obtained a premises licence for Gloucester County Cricket Club to facilitate investment and redevelopment works.
• Obtained a premises licence for a one-off concert in Bristol by a globally recognised band.

Jeremy advises on Trading Standards compliance, regulatory investigations, and enforcement matters, including breaches relating to, alcohol, vapes, and food outlets.

• Defended the first prosecution in the country for the sale of illegal vapes which resulted in a Crown Court hearing.
• Represented a restaurant operator in connection with prosecution relating to the use of an unsafe gas oven and associated hygiene failings.
• Advised on council prosecutions for mouse infestation for London-based retail and restaurant premises.
• Contested a closure notice under the food safety legislation.