Uber instructs Hogan Lovells on TfL judicial review

Uber has turned to Hogan Lovells to mount a judicial review of Transport for London’s (TfL) new rules for private hire cars.

The taxi app filed its application for permission to review the new guidelines this week, claiming they unfairly limit its business in the capital.

TfL set out new regulations for taxis and minicabs earlier this year following a far-reaching consultation on the industry prompted by numerous rows between Uber and the black cab trade.

Now Uber says the rules have become too strict, and is challenging requirements including written English tests for drivers, locating its customer service call centre in London, extending insurance for drivers, and having to alert TfL of changes to its business model or app.

Hogan Lovells successfully defended Uber in a headline case last October when TfL asked the High Court to decide whether its fare calculator app was a taximeter – a device which is restricted to black cabs.

Partner Paul Dacam and Blackstone Chambers’ Monica Carss-Frisk QC represented the US company.

Now Dacam has instructed Blackstone’s Tom de la Mare QC and Hanif Mussa to bring the judicial review.

TfL has until the end of this week to respond to Uber’s challenge. In-house lawyer Jake Stafford is leading the case for TfL, instructing Brick Court’s Martin Chamberlain QC and Tim Johnston.

The transport body released a statement saying it would “robustly defend” the new regulations in the High Court.

“We responded to Uber’s letter and will be robustly defending the legal proceedings brought by them in relation to the changes to private hire regulations.

“These have been introduced to enhance public safety when using private hire services and we are determined to create a vibrant taxi and private hire market with space for all providers to flourish.”

The Lawyer profiled Uber Technologies general counsel Matt Wilson in February this year. Read the full interview here.