Uber Wins Dismissal of £340M Black Cab and Private Hire Claims in London

High Court Dismisses Claims Against Uber

Uber has secured a victory in the High Court, which dismissed claims totaling approximately £340 million brought by thousands of London black cab drivers and two defunct private hire companies, Kabbie and Iride. The claimants had alleged that Uber provided Transport for London (TfL) with misleading information when it obtained its operating license in the capital in 2012.

Timeliness of Lawsuits Cited

Mr. Justice Birt ruled that the lawsuits, filed in 2024, fell outside the six-year statutory limit for bringing such claims. The judge determined that the alleged deception could have been discovered by the claimants before 2018, leading to the dismissal of the cases without an examination of the truthfulness of the allegations. Uber, which denied the claims, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision to dismiss them early.

Claimants' Financial Demands

The claims included nearly £200 million sought by approximately 13,000 black cab drivers. Additionally, the two former private hire firms, Kabbie and Iride, were seeking around £140 million in damages. RGL Management, which managed the cases for the claimants, stated its disappointment and is evaluating its legal options.

Broader Context and Future Legal Challenges

Since its entry into the London market, Uber has significantly impacted the taxi industry, traditionally dominated by black cabs. This legal victory comes as Uber prepares for another significant legal challenge next week, where it will contest a tax dispute with HM Revenue and Customs valued at over £1 billion.