On Monday, Judge Simon Birt threw out the case after concluding it was issued outside the time limit. He found that black cab drivers could have identified the publicly available material needed to sue by February 2018, placing the first claim forms more than six years too late. As he wrote, "They could have discovered it earlier, and more than six years before the first of the claim forms was issued. As a result, the claimants' claims are time-barred."
The lawsuit, brought in 2024 and seeking £250 million, represented a group of over 13,000 taxi drivers. It argued Uber obtained its London operating license improperly and unlawfully diverted fares from traditional taxi operators.
Mishcon de Reya, acting for the drivers, sent Uber a letter initiating the claim in 2019. The ruling states that once a litigation funder pulled out, the firm sent no correspondence to Uber regarding the potential claim for a further four-and-a-half years. RGL Management Ltd., which is running the claim, said, "We are obviously very disappointed and are considering all options available to the claimant cab drivers with the legal team."
Uber welcomed the decision. "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," the company said.
When legal and regulatory developments can reshape industries, staying informed matters, so get the free Market Briefs daily email.
The judgment draws a line under a dispute that risked reviving long standing tensions around Uber's presence in London. The company previously beat Transport for London's refusals to renew its license in 2017 and 2019, and later revamped its UK model after the Supreme Court ruled its drivers must be re-classified as workers.
One sizeable legal swing factor in London is now removed. The bottom line: fewer legacy shocks can make the UK slice of ride hail a bit easier to model.
Good context helps you understand market implications, so sign up for the free Market Briefs newsletter today.
