Tim Culpin

My first career was as a deck officer in the Merchant Navy sailing as Master for a number of years before coming ashore and obtaining my law degree at the University of Wales, Cardiff. I then qualified as a solicitor in 1994 at Aaron & Partners becoming a Partner at that firm in 1996. Now semi-retired, I work part time as a Consultant at both Aaron & Partners LLP for Smith Bowyer Clarke in Derby, a specialist road transport law practice.

I have nearly 30 years’ experience acting for commercial vehicle operators dealing with all aspects of the compliant operation of such vehicles regularly appearing for operators and vocational drivers at public inquiries and driver conduct hearings before the Traffic Commissioners and in the magistrates’ courts. I have an extensive network of connections and can assist new entrants to the industry in obtaining an operator’s licence or when applications run into difficulties. During my legal career I has gained significant experience contesting the imposition of civil penalties arising from the discovery of clandestine entrants (unlawful entrants concealed in vehicles) and in the recovery of impounded vehicles arising from breaches of the cabotage regulations, operating without an operator’s licence and as a consequence of UK Border Force activities. More recently I have assisted a number of operators in dealing with Driver and Vehicle Services Agency (DVSA) Desk Based Assessments.