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More than 10,500 of London\u2019s black-cab drivers have launched a \u00a3250m legal case against Uber, accusing it of breaking the capital\u2019s taxi booking rules and deliberately misleading authorities to secure a licence.<\/p>\n
The case, which has been filed in the high court in London by the litigation management firm RGL, resurrects a claim first raised five years ago, related to the way the ride-hailing app operated in London between 2012 and 2018.<\/p>\n
Cabbies allege that Uber<\/a> allowed drivers to take bookings directly from customers rather than through a centralised system such as those used by minicab services, in a direct breach of private hire rules.<\/p>\n They allege Uber was aware of the rules and deliberately misled Transport<\/a> for London (TfL) about its booking model in order to obtain an operating licence and take business from black-cab drivers.<\/p>\n Uber has denied the allegations and says the claim is unfounded.<\/p>\n The drivers, who are being advised by the law firm Mishcon de Reya, argue in their suit that they faced unfair competition, and lost out on customers and income, as a result.<\/p>\n Garry White, a black-cab driver of 36 years, said: \u201cThis claim seeks justice and fair compensation on behalf of cab drivers across London. Uber seems to believe it is above the law and cabbies across London have suffered loss of earnings because of it. It is time they were held to account.\u201d<\/p>\n RGL said that if the cabbies were successful in their claim they could secure more than \u00a3250m, with individuals potentially winning \u00a325,000 or more.<\/p>\n An Uber spokesperson said: \u201cThese old claims are completely unfounded. Uber operates lawfully in London, is fully licensed by TfL<\/a>, and is proud to serve millions of passengers and drivers across the capital.\u201d<\/p>\n It marks the latest bout of legal trouble for Uber. In March, the San Francisco-based company reached an A$272m settlement<\/a> (\u00a3142m) to compensate taxi and hire-car drivers who said they lost out when the company \u201caggressively\u201d moved into the Australian market.<\/p>\n