London: Uber Defeats £340M Lawsuit from Black Cab Drivers as High Court Throws Out Claims

The ruling

London's High Court ruled on October 19 to dismiss two linked lawsuits seeking around £340 million ($453 million) from Uber, brought by around 13,000 London black cab drivers and two now-defunct private hire companies, Kabbie and Iride. Judge Simon Birt said in a written ruling that the claimants could have discovered the alleged deception before 2018, six years before the lawsuits were filed, and dismissed the claims on limitation grounds without considering whether Uber broke licensing rules.

Background of the claims

The claimants, who sued in 2024, alleged Uber gave "misleading and inaccurate information" to Transport for London (TfL) when obtaining its private hire vehicle operating licence, allowing it to operate unlawfully in the capital for six years from 2012 and costing rival drivers millions in lost earnings. The cab drivers sought nearly £200 million, while a claimant for the two defunct companies sought around £140 million. Uber denied all allegations and maintains it operates lawfully under a valid TfL licence.

Both sides respond

"We are pleased that the court has dismissed all of these claims entirely at the earliest opportunity and the ruling today has put these legacy matters firmly in the past," an Uber spokesperson said. RGL Management, which managed the lawsuits for the claimants, said: "We are obviously very disappointed and are considering all options available to the claimant cab drivers with the legal team."

The next battle

Uber's legal challenges in London are not over: next week the company faces the British tax authority in a dispute worth more than £1 billion.