Uber wins bid to dismiss £340m black cab driver claims
High Court judge rules cases filed too late, outside the six-year statute of limitations.
Uber has won its bid to dismiss claims totalling approximately £340 million, brought by thousands of London black cab drivers and two former private hire firms. The ride-hailing company had faced allegations that it provided misleading information to Transport for London when it secured its initial operating licence in 2012.
Mr Justice Birt ruled in the High Court that the cases had been brought too late. The judge dismissed the claims without considering the truth of the allegations. Uber, which denied the claims, stated it was pleased the court had thrown them out at the earliest opportunity.
Details of the claims
Approximately 13,000 drivers were seeking nearly £200 million in damages. A separate claim, brought on behalf of Kabbie and Iride, two private hire firms that have since closed, sought about £140 million. The lawsuits were filed in 2024. Uber argued that these claims fell outside the six-year statute of limitations for bringing such legal actions.
In his written ruling, Mr Justice Birt stated that the claimants could have discovered the alleged deception before 2018. RGL Management, which managed the cases for the claimants, expressed significant disappointment and indicated it was considering its options with the legal team.
Uber has become a dominant force in London's private hire market since obtaining its licence, taking a significant share of trade previously held by black cabs.
Questions this report answers
01What were the claims against Uber?
Claimants alleged that Uber provided misleading information to Transport for London when it first obtained its operating licence in 2012. Around 13,000 London black cab drivers and two former private hire firms brought these claims.
02Why were the claims dismissed?
A High Court judge, Mr Justice Birt, dismissed the cases because they were filed too late. The judge ruled that the claims were brought outside the six-year statute of limitations and that claimants could have discovered the alleged deception before 2018.
03How much money was involved in the claims?
The total value of the claims was approximately £340 million. The drivers were seeking nearly £200 million in damages, while the two former private hire firms sought about £140 million.
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