The value of the claim is estimated to be around £250 million. (Representative)
London:
A UK law firm said on Thursday it has filed a multi-million pound class action in the city’s High Court on behalf of 10,887 licensed London black cab drivers in its claim against Uber over alleged losses suffered as a result of “activities illegal.” in the city’s taxi market.
Mishcon De Reya said his claim filed in the Commercial Court relates to actions taken by the US-based private transport company since 2012 under the private vehicle hire license granted by Transport for London (TfL).
It is alleged that its operating system did not meet the requirements of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1988. Uber denied the allegations and described the allegation as “unfounded”.
“Uber has consistently failed to comply with the law that applies to private hire vehicles in London and so we are pleased to issue today’s complaint on behalf of almost 11,000 London taxi drivers,” said Richard Leedham, Partner and Head of Commercial Disputes at Mishcon. by Reya.
According to the claim, drivers of London’s iconic black cabs will allege that Uber’s operating system did not meet the requirements of the Act, that Uber knew this at all relevant times, and that, to obtain their license, Uber “deliberately misled” TfL. about how this operating system worked.
The claimants further alleged that Uber’s intention was to “illegally gain market share” and, by necessity, obtain business from existing black cab drivers.
“These long-standing allegations are completely unfounded. Uber operates legally in London, is fully licensed by TfL and is proud to serve millions of riders and drivers across the capital,” said a statement from Uber.
The value of the claim is estimated to be around £250 million, with each of the black taxi drivers potentially eligible for compensation, according to RGL Management – the litigation claims management company representing black taxi drivers.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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