Uber wins bid to throw out UK mass lawsuit by black cab drivers

Key Takeaways

• Uber prevailed in a High Court bid to strike out mass claims by black cab drivers and two former private hire operators, worth about £340 million. The lawsuits, issued in May and June 2024, alleged Uber misled Transport for London to obtain a private hire licence between 2012–2018. The court accepted that the six‑year limitation period had expired, undermining the claimants’ reliance on delayed discoverability via section 32 of the Limitation Act.
• The litigation involves an unlawful means conspiracy claim brought by approximately 13,000 black cab drivers and assignees of Kabbee and Iride, with combined estimated losses of ~£340 million. Uber argued that the claims were statute‑barred; the court’s ruling supports that timing defense.
• Uber also secured court orders for further disclosure of communications (“Harbour Communications”) related to the litigation funder, law firm Mishcon de Reya, and the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association. The court rejected litigation‑privilege protections over these documents, reinforcing Uber’s efforts to access potentially damaging materials.