Our Members
Martin Hammond
Martin is the chairperson and is managing director of Hammond Trotter solicitors.
Having worked in other road traffic firms, Martin decided in 2007 that it was time that he stopped defending clients other peoples way and set up Hammond Trotter solicitors with Philip Trotter.
Since that day, Martin has not looked back and has risen to the top of his game, defending clients facing the loss of their driving licences and all that it entails.
Working with the two guiding principles, that initial advice should always be free and that going to trial is not always the best defence, Hammond Trotter Solicitors have become one of the leading road traffic law firms and continue to achieve the results expected of solicitors at this level.
In his personal life, Martin is a committed family man and spends his spare time between his unwavering support for Blackburn Rovers Football Club, and his passion for cars and motorcycles. He can often be found on Britain's roads in his pride and joy, his 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster (obeying the rules of the road of course).
Contact Information
Martin can be contacted at Hammond Trotter Solicitors Ltd
Tel: 0161 839 5117 (Manchester) 0207 903 5144 (London)
Brian Koffman
I am the Senior Partner of Brian Koffman & Co. and was admitted in 1973. I am a specialist in Road Traffic Law and I have personally appeared as an Advocate in the Court of Appeal, the Old Bailey and many other Crown Courts as well as Magistrates’ Courts throughout England and Wales.
I have dealt with all road traffic offences, including avoid/remove disqualification issues, excess alcohol, fail provide specimen, dangerous driving, careless driving, speeding and failing to furnish information relating to the identification of a driver. For the last twenty years, we have been recommended by Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession, the Legal 500 and Legal Experts as being in the top rank of solicitors in our field and in 2012 we were voted by Acquisition International as the UK Motoring Offences Law Firm of the Year. Chambers described me as ‘one of the regions most sought after road traffic lawyers’.
I have appeared on television, radio and in the press providing expert comment, and contributed to a number of government and judicial consultations.
Contact Information
Brian can be contacted Brian Koffman and Co. Solicitors
and
www.motoringoffencesolicitors.co.uk/
Tel: 0161 832 3852
James Keenan
James Keenan joined Keith Borer Consultants in 2006 as an Accident Investigator and one of a team of four. He spent 30 years in the police. His prime responsibilities as a police investigator were to attend scenes of fatal and serious injury accidents and endeavour to reconstruct the incidents to determine their cause before presenting the evidence to Magistrates, Coroners and Crown Courts.
During his career he has achieved: City & Guilds Licentiateship awards in both Accident Investigation and Motor Vehicle Inspection, Chairman of the Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators and Examiner in Forensic Collision Investigation for De Montfort University, Leicester. He was Lead Assessor for the Council of Registration for Forensic Practitioners in both collision investigation and vehicle examination up to 31st March 2009 when the register closed
Contact Information
Mr Keenan can be contacted at Keith Borer Consultants
Tel: 0191 332 4999
Carl Millar
Carl set up drivingoffencedefence in conjunction with his own practice, MILLARS SOLICITORS in May 2014 having previously been Head of Department at some of the most prestigious Motoring Law practices in the country. He has many years advocacy experience having previously worked at national firm Pannones and was also the Head of Department at one of the country’s leading motor defence specialist firms.
Carl has vast experience of representing clients on a nationwide basis and is particularly skilled in developing technical defences for the whole array of alleged driving offences. He has an enviable reputation both within the profession and with the firm’s professional clients for his tenacity in unearthing and dealing with any technical/esoteric issues and for ‘always going the extra mile’. Carl has personally represented Judges, celebrities and fellow professionals.
Contact Information
Carl can be contacted at Millars Solicitors
www.drivingoffencedefence.co.uk
Tel: 0800 999 5535
Keith Hale
Road Traffic Consultancy Ltd is owned by Keith Hale a retired former Roads Traffic Department officer who provides a specialised service to Defence Solicitors acting for their clients, Businesses or private individuals when unfortunately an individual or company receive a summons to attend at court following a speeding, careless driving, dangerous driving, insurance claim following a Road Traffic accident or a Tachograph or other driving offences resulting in the court wanting to take away that essential item for our everyday needs the Driving Licence.
Keith being an retired Traffic Officer now, as a result of his success rate is definitely not invited for a friendly coffee by his ex-colleagues who say he is working on the “dark side”,
Keith having been trained to Police Advanced Driver, Level 1 Security Escort level driver, trained to use hand held and in car speed detection devices, an in depth knowledge of Traffic signage legislation, police ACPO procedural requirements, undertaking expert eye look at all police reports and able to interrogate those “police speak” paragraphs that tell another story entirely
Keith following the provision of an expert opinion report on many and varied offences and incidents whilst working in conjunction with solicitor colleagues has a success rate of clients walking away from court holding their driving licence in their hand and not left at the court for endorsement second to none in 2010/11 his success rate was 87% and in 2011/12 a fantastic 98%!
Contact Information
Keith can be contacted at Road Traffic Consultancy Ltd
www.roadtrafficconsultancy.com
Tel: 0800 0842305
Martyn Walsh
Contact Information
Martyn can be contacted at Stephensons Solicitors
Tel: 0844 488 9090
Joseph Kotrie-Monson
Mary Monson Solicitors has been acting for clients accused of motoring cases for 30 years. We are a national firm, with offices in Manchester, Birmingham, London, and Salford. Our clients include people from all walks of life, such as recognised people in motor sport, business, the professions, and simply people who need to keep their driving licence.
Our head of Motoring Law, Joseph Kotrie-Monson is a car enthusiast, and is regularly asked by newspapers and television news agencies such as the BBC to comment on Motoring and Criminal Law matters. We offer three things: expert knowledge in Motoring Law, a sympathetic and sensitive approach, and a tenacious attitude to advancing the interests of our clients.
Contact Information
Joseph can be contacted Mary Monson Solicitors
www.motoring.marymonson.co.uk/
Tel: 0808 155 4870
Steve Williams
Steve Williams, Principal and founder of Forrest Williams, is a specialist motoring solicitor with over 20 years’ experience and is author of the soon to be published “Drink Driving Defences: A Guide For Solicitors”. Steve is known for his advocacy skills and robust defence of clients. He has an extensive technical knowledge of all motoring matters.
His down to earth advice is appreciated by celebrities and the rest of us alike, all of whom also appreciate the sensitive handling of their cases and respect for their privacy. Fiercely passionate about motoring law, Steve carries a copy of Wilkinson Road Traffic Law everywhere he goes.
Steve has represented clients in over 200 courts around the country and is respected by prosecutors and Magistrates the length and breadth of the country. Travelling up to 40,000 miles a year, Steve understands the situations lots of drivers find themselves in. He has also appeared in Germany and Cyprus representing servicemen charged with motoring offences in courts martials, and has Higher Rights of Audience, allowing him to appear in Higher Courts.
He is married and father to two daughters, Gemma and Aspen.
In his spare time he enjoys watching most sports, including (although rarely enjoying!) his home football club, Birmingham City.
Contact Information
Steve can be contacted Forrest Williams
www.motoringlawyersonline.com/
Tel: 0800 1933 999
Damien is a specialist motoring offence solicitor with many years dedicated experience in the field. Damien enjoys litigation and the challenge of arguing technical issues but above all he appreciates the ability to assist his clients in preserving their driving licences and guiding them through difficult circumstances. He is experienced in handling a wide range of road traffic offences and conduct all types of hearings including trials and sentencing.
His career in road traffic law began when he took his first legal job at a specialist motoring defence firm in Cheshire. Thereafter he carried out further training at a legal 500 firm in central Manchester. He joined Hammond Trotter Solicitors in 2009 and was invited to become a director three years later before moving to JMW to spearhead their motor defence team in 2014. Damien now works with noted road traffic lawyer Nick Freeman (Mr Loophole).
During his career he has written articles for the publication “Truck Stops News” and answered legal questions for the magazine “Red Line” as well as appearing on BBC Breakfast News and BBC Radio Manchester to provide legal opinion.
In respect to personal history, he grew up in Ipswich, Suffolk before studying Law at Hull University. Thereafter he moved to Sheffield where he undertook his post graduate diploma in Legal practice at Sheffield Law School. He now lives in South Manchester with his wife Laura who he met during his first year of university.
Contact Information
Damien can be contacted at Freeman and Co. Solicitors
https://www.nickfreemansolicitors.co.uk/
Tel: 0161 236 7007
Paul Turner
Paul qualified in 2007 and joined Osiris Legal after working for a North West based criminal defence practice. Osiris Legal is a new concept law firm, combining over 100 years experience , with acute business skill and cutting edge technology; culminating in a highly motivated and dynamic, legal practice. We provide a first rate client focussed nationwide service. We are specialists in Road Traffic Law. Taking advantage of the recent changes to the legal profession , we provide client focussed access to legal services based on sound, tried and trusted legal and business principles. We use secure highly advanced IT systems which allow us to minimise cost and offer fixed fee services, ensuring there are no hidden charges.
Paul has successfully represented many clients in the Magistrates Court with his extensive road traffic knowledge. Paul is a studious, thorough and extremely reliable advocate. He is well versed in all the technical defences that our firm adopts to succeed in acquittal.
Contact Information
Paul can be contacted Osiris Legal Ltd
Tel: 0800 58 77 122
Mary Bullen
Mary is a barrister with a BA (Hons) Degree in Criminology from Southampton. A Post Graduate Degree in Law from Kingston University. She gained a VC from BPP Law School in London and, was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 2005.
She is also a member of: The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple and has been approved by the Bar Council to accept Public Access Instruction.
Mary’s versatility and breadth of experience is reflected in the fact that she has been a driving law defence barrister since 2005 and continues to work with solicitors in this area despite the fact that she is a ‘Public Access Barrister’. Over the years Mary has dealt with a variety of motor defence cases including appeals against sentence and conviction in the Crown Court. She now runs her own chambers which predominately undertake driving defence. Mary is extremely thorough and well prepared in the preparation of her work. She has experience in dealing with difficult cases often involving extremely nervous and vulnerable clients.
Contact Details
Mary can be contacted at the Chambers of Mary Bullen
Tel: 01722 742204
Robert Bimpson
Robert Bimpson has been a solicitor since 1989 and is wildly acknowledged to be an expert in the defence of motorists facing prosecution for all motoring offences.
His knowledge and experience of even the most technical defences is vast and will be used to get you the best possible outcome.
Contact Information
Robert can be contacted at Traffic Lawyers 4U
Tel: 0800 032 5930
Philip Morris
Philip Morris is currently a practising Barrister having been called to the Bar in 2011. Before that he was a Solicitor Higher court Advocate and Managing Partner of a City Centre practice.
Throughout his twenty year legal career he has always had a particular interest in defending the motorist. Phil is vastly experienced in the full range of motoring offence defences and has appeared in both Magistrates and Crown Courts throughout the country as well as in the Court of Appeal in London. He has experience in providing a discreet service to the more high profile clients and is authorised by the Bar Standards Board to accept instructions directly from the public under the "Direct Access" provisions.
Contact Information
Philip can be contacted at
Tel: 0800 228 9965
Philip Trotter
Philip Trotter has practised as a criminal defence solicitor since 1999, with extensive experience of all aspects of criminal law. Having been a partner for a number of years at one of the largest criminal firms in Manchester, in 2007 he decided to specialize solely in road traffic law, establishing his own firm with Martin Hammond. Initially called 'Driving Defences' the firm later became Hammond Trotter Solicitors.
His practice takes him to every corner of England and Wales providing advice and expert representation on all aspects of Road traffic law.
Contact Information
Philip can be contacted at Hammond Trotter Solicitors Ltd
Tel: 0161 839 5117 (Manchester) 0207 903 5144 (London)
Christopher Sweetman
Chris has been involved in the English Criminal Justice system since 1989, A very experienced advocate, he is not only a solicitor but has been called to The Bar (2004) and has Higher Rights of Audience as a Solicitor. Chris has always worked in the ‘defence’ area of law and his experience ranges from Magistrates’ Court matters to complex Crown Court matters having worked on numerous Murder, serious Assault and Drugs cases, most notable the case of the murdered police officer, Sharon Beshenivsky.
Chris has appeared regularly in Courts across the country and is noted for his fearless advocacy style and approach in defending people whilst also being realistic with his advice. His experience and style with road traffic cases mean your case will be handled with professionalism and integrity throughout, ensuring the best possible result for you.
Contact Information
Christopher can be contacted Sweetmans Solicitors
www.sweetmanssolicitors.co.uk/
Tel: 0800 141 2620
Dawn Sweetman
Dawn has been involved in the English Criminal Justice System since 1991. Dawn has a wealth of experiences in this field having headed both a Magistrates’ and Crown Court department and been responsible for the Preparation of criminal matters of all levels of complexity from Assaults and Murders to all types of dishonesty and Fraud offences.
She has extensive knowledge of road traffic legislation and it’s practical applications and a court room style which exudes the confidence of meticulous preparation is known for her approachability, tenacity and attention to detail
Contact Information
Dawn can be contacted Sweetmans Solicitors
www.sweetmanssolicitors.co.uk/
Tel: 0800 141 2620
What's new?
The law relating to speeding is going to be re-examined by lawyers following the recent case Clarke v CPS [2013] EWHC 366 (Admin). As well as a number of other factors, this case decided that Manufacturer and ACPO guidelines reflected best practice but were not mandatory procedures to be followed. Clearly this has placed severe restrictions and road traffic specialist will be re-examining their methods of defence given the far reaching implications of such a decision. More...
Where to find us:
The Society of Motoring Law
C/O Hammond Trotter Solicitors
Unit 4 Abito, 85 Greengate, Manchester, M3 7NA
Phone: 0161 839 5117
Or use our contact form.
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