LANDMARK CASE?
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MI This has got to be the most significant decision ever made in the history of operator licensing." When hardheaded transport lawyers start slinging words like that around, your average haulier will want to know what all the excitement's about.
In this case its the Road Haulage Asiociation's appeal victory against the ranting of a full 0-licence to John Daviion, the man behind the old riches-to.ags John Dee Group. Last year it went aust to the tune of several million leaving aehind a lot of extremely disgruntled lauliers and customers.
During the past few months Davison las been bidding for a new licence, against unprecedented opposition from he RHA. The association has declared hat the new John Dee Limited fails to iatisfy the criteria of fitness, repute and inancial standing, by virtue of Davison's arevious record.
So for we've only got half the story. Nell have to wait until Judge Wilson gives us reasons in writing for overturning the A's decision before we know exactly why he RHA won and John Dee Limited lost. Whatever happens to John Dee Urnted, the case could well have repercus.ions that stretch beyond the Licensing kuthorities to the heart of the system hat they apply.
But the real story must be that, having molly raised its head over the parapet o object against a licence application, he RHA has tasted victory and says that now has the confidence to mount more. If the result of last week's Tribunal lecision is to ensure that all 0-licence ipplicants are subject to more rigorous crutiny, then those in the industry who lave consistently argued for the assocation to object to lore licence apilications could le entitled to say letter late than ever.