In a significant legal development, over 10,500 licensed London black cab drivers have initiated a group action against Uber, filing a multi-million-pound lawsuit in the city's High Court. The lawsuit, spearheaded by UK law firm Mishcon De Reya, alleges substantial losses incurred by black cab drivers due to what they claim are "unlawful activities" by the ride-hailing giant in London's taxi market.
The claim, filed in the Commercial Court, centers on Uber's actions dating back to 2012 under the private hire vehicle license granted by Transport for London (TfL). Mishcon De Reya contends that Uber's operating system failed to comply with the requirements of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1988, a charge Uber vehemently denies.
"Uber has consistently failed to comply with the law that applies to private hire vehicles in London, and so we are pleased to be issuing today's claim on behalf of almost 11,000 London cab drivers," remarked Richard Leedham, Partner and Head of Commercial Disputes at Mishcon de Reya.
The claim alleges that Uber knowingly misled TfL regarding its operating system to obtain its license, with the intention of unlawfully gaining market share and diverting business from existing black cab drivers. The total value of the claim is estimated at around 250 million pounds.
In response, Uber refuted the allegations, asserting its lawful operation in London, full licensing by TfL, and its commitment to serving millions of passengers and drivers across the capital.
The lawsuit signals a significant escalation in the ongoing tension between traditional black cab drivers and app-based ride-hailing services like Uber, highlighting the complex regulatory landscape governing the transportation industry in major urban centers like London. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome of this high-stakes battle could have far-reaching implications for the future of ride-hailing services and traditional taxi operators in the UK capital