Mr Loophole Backs East Yorkshire Motorist In Fight Against Hull Bus Lane Fine
The country’s best-known traffic lawyer is backing a motorist’s fight against a bus lane fine imposed by Hull City Council.
Thirty-six-year-old Tony Sherwin contacted Nick Freeman, aka Mr Loophole, via social media after being fined £30 for driving in the bus lane on Holderness Road to visit a supermarket.
Mr Sherwin appealed the fine, which he lost, and has subsequently lodged a complaint with the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
Earlier this year Tesco changed the entrance and exit to its Tesco Express store, meaning that motorists are now forced to enter into the bus lane in order to access the shop.
Mr Sherwin is one of a number of supermarket customers to have subsequently been fined because they drove a short distance in the bus lane, which is in the nearside lane, before turning left into the Tesco entrance.
Mr Freeman, whose clients include David Beckham, Jeremy Clarkson and Jimmy Carr, said: “Mr Sherwin contacted me seeking my legal opinion in relation to this matter.
“I think his fine should be set aside and the bus lane should commence after the entrance to avoid infringing Section 103 of the Highway Code.
“Motorists are advised to give clear signals in plenty of time which are not misleading and do not lead to confusion. The current geographical layout prevents all three aspects of this section of the code being complied with.
“Moreover, with this existing layout, motorists have to cut from the outside lane across the bus lane to access the Tesco entrance. This is not only dangerous but also forces the motorist into the bus lane during prohibited times.
“In my view good old fashion sense should prevail and the commencement of the bus lane should be moved a few yards further up Holderness Road.
“The current system entraps the motorist to commit an offence and Mr Sherwin is correct in stating that motorists in this particular circumstance are being used as cash cows.”
Mr Freeman added: “I therefore recommend that council highways chiefs drive this stretch of road as a matter of urgency and do the honourable thing in relation to this situation, in other words they cancel the fine and move the bus lane.”
About Nick Freeman
Nick Freeman is probably the best known solicitor practising in the country today.
He has been dubbed "Mr Loophole" by the press owing to his vast technical knowledge of motoring law matters and his ability to successfully challenge the prosecution over procedural irregularities.
Nick is widely known for his celebrity client list and high profile criminal defence cases.
Nick is the head of Freeman & Co. Solicitors and although based in Manchester, represents defendants in motoring and criminal cases all over the country.
After graduating from Chester Law School in 1979, Nick started his career as a prosecuting solicitor for Greater Manchester Police.
Nick soon became known for his technical legal abilities and robust court room style and he was soon recruited into private practice by the highly respected solicitors firm of Burton & Co. He was soon to be made a partner at the practice but in 1999 he decided to start his own firm following which Freeman & Co. was formed.
Owing to Nick's meticulous case preparation and technical legal skill he soon made Freeman & Co. one of the most respected and sought after criminal solicitors firms in the country.
Despite the celebrity client list and media attention, Nick and Freeman & Co. have built their practice on representing ordinary members of the public with the same tenacity as those more high profile cases that are reported in the press and on TV.
Outside of his professional practice Nick is a regular expert guest on TV and radio and is well regarded as an expert legal commentator. He is an ardent supporter of defendant anonymity in sex cases.
In recent times his credits have included Tonight With Trevor MacDonald, Close Up North West, Channel 4 News, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live to name but a few. He also appears regularly on Sky News, BBC News 24 and Legal Eagles on ITV's This Morning. Nick is a regular legal commentator for the Sunday Times.
A father of 2 children Nick is a keen golfer with a 2.9 handicap and enjoys vigorous exercise with his Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Contacting Nick Freeman
For professional matters and representation Nick can be contacted through Freeman & Co. on 0161 236 7007 or you can send him a confidential email by clicking here.
If you would like to contact Nick for a media appearance or legal comment please call David Simister on 0845 389 26 26.