[2025] EWHC 2972 (Comm)

These proceedings concern claims made by some 13,000 London black cab drivers against the defendants, who are all part of the Uber Group, for damages in respect of allegations of unlawful means conspiracy.

The claims arise out of Uber’s application for a private hire vehicle operators (“PHVO”) licence, which was granted by Transport for London (“TfL”), allowing Uber to establish and carry out business in London.

The allegation is that Uber misrepresented the nature of its business operating model and, on that basis, the licence should not have been granted. As a result, it is said that the PHVO licence, which was unlawfully obtained, enabled Uber to compete with the lawful services offered by the claimants and undercut their tariffs. Therefore, it is said the defendants made a profit at the expense of the claimants.

The relevant period of the licence under scrutiny was 2012 through to 14 March 2018, when changes were made to Uber’s mode of operation.

There are two claims:

The overall size of the claim is, in relation to both claims, about £340 million, a substantial claim. However, it comprises relatively modest claims by value in respect of each of the numerous claimants, who have sensibly embarked on a group action.