Uber has hired
Hogan Lovells as it faces another legal challenge in London.
Transport for London (TfL) announced last week that Uber will not be issued a private-hire operator license after the expiry of its current licence on 30 September. TfL said that “Uber London Limited is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence” and that the company’s “approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility” on a number of issues that have potential public safety and security implications.
Uber can appeal the decision within 21 days after the expiry of its license. It can operate in London while it is appealing the decision.
The watchdog takes issue with Uber’s approach to how it reports serious criminal offences, how it obtains medical certificates, how it complies with the UK’s Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks, and how it explains the use of “Greyball” –software that could be used to block full access of regulators to the Uber app – in London.
Advising Uber is regulatory partner Charles Brasted, who heads the firm’s public law and policy group. Hogan Lovells has instructed Tom de la Mare QC of Blackstone Chambers.
The firm acted for Uber in August last year, when TfL proposed new rules that included English-proficiency and insurance-coverage requirements for Uber drivers. For that matter, Hogan Lovells fielded former EU public law and policy head Paul Dacam, who has since retired. It briefed de la Mare and Hanif Mussa of Blackstone Chambers.
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