Hogan Lovells has been drafted in to advise Uber as the US-based ridesharing company launches a legal challenge to Transport for London’s (TfL) decision to not renew its private hire licence.
TfL today (22 September) issued a statement confirming that Uber will not be given another private hire operator licence after the current one expires on 30 September.
TfL stated that Uber’s approach to reporting serious criminal offences and how medical certificates are obtained were among the reasons it came to the decision.
‘Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications’, the statement read.
Uber has 21 days to appeal the decision but can continue to operate until that timeframe expires.
Hogan Lovells regulatory partner Charles Brasted is advising Uber, and has instructed Tom de la Mare QC of Blackstone Chambers.
The firm has previous history advising the company, as it acted for Uber last August on its legal challenge against new guidelines proposed by TfL. The regulations included written English tests for drivers and insurance for drivers for the entire time that their vehicle is licensed. In that matter, TfL was represented by its in-house team and instructed Martin Chamberlain QC of Brick Court Chambers.
Paul Dacam, who has since retired from the firm, led for Hogan Lovells and instructed de la Mare QC alongside Hanif Mussa of Blackstone Chambers.
Uber’s European arm has faced an eventful year so far, as the company’s European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) general counsel (GC) stepped down in June. An Uber spokesperson confirmed that Amsterdam-based Jim Callaghan had resigned as a result of ‘family reasons’.