Almost 11,000 black cab drivers in London are trying to bring a multi-million pound legal case against Uber. RGL Management, which manages litigation, has claimed that the case’s value is at least £250m. If successful, it would mean that the drivers could receive £25,000 each. Uber has not yet issued a comment on the matter. This lawsuit represents the latest of various attempts to challenge the US-based ride-hailing firm in London, its UK home.
The lawsuit focuses on the period between May 2012 and March 2018, when Uber was allegedly operating in a misleading way in order to obtain a license to work in the capital. The case also claims that Uber wanted to take business unlawfully from existing black cab drivers. Law firm Mishcon de Reya is being used to file the suit on behalf of the claimants. Gary White, who has been driving a black cab for 36 years, said that Uber appeared to believe that it was “above the law”.
Over the years, Uber has faced a large number of challenges both in London and in other parts of the world. In 2017, the company’s license to operate in the capital was not renewed, with Tfl commenting that there were concerns over “public safety and security implications” and a “lack of corporate responsibility”. At the time, Uber stated that it would dispute the decision. Ultimately, however, the firm was successful, although its license will expire at the end of September 2022.
Earlier this year, Uber agreed to pay out $177.7m (£141.7m) in Australia to settle a lawsuit brought by taxi workers and drivers. Over 8,000 people were represented in the case, in which the drivers claimed that Uber’s entry into the market had meant that they had lost income. In France, a lawsuit led by 2,500 taxi drivers was won by Uber in December 2023
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