Uber has won dismissal of a group action brought by approximately 13,000 London black cab drivers and two defunct private hire firms seeking around £340m in damages over the company's 2012 licensing application.
The High Court ruled on July 9 that the cases, filed in 2024, fell outside the six-year limitation period for bringing such claims. Justice Birt determined that claimants could have discovered the alleged deception before 2018, when Uber's initial licensing period ended.
The black cab drivers and firms Kabbie and Iride alleged that Uber provided Transport for London with misleading information when obtaining its operating licence in May 2012. The group action focused on Uber's London operations between May 2012 and March 2018. About 13,000 drivers sought nearly £200m in damages individually, while the two private hire firms sought approximately £140m combined.
Uber denied the allegations and argued successfully that the claimants had filed their lawsuits too late. The judge dismissed the cases without examining whether the underlying claims had merit.
Uber said it was pleased the court had dismissed the cases at the earliest opportunity. RGL Management, which represented the claimants, said it was very disappointed and was considering options with its legal team.
The dismissal comes as Uber continues to dominate London's ride-hailing market, having captured much of the trade traditionally held by black cab operators since receiving its licence. The company faces a separate legal challenge next week when it contests HM Revenue and Customs in a tax dispute valued at more than £1bn.