Uber has instructed Hogan Lovells to challenge new rules set to be introduced by Transport for London (TfL) from 1 October.
Uber filed an application for a judicial review in the high court in London to block TfL’s plans earlier this week.
The rules, which Uber claims are too restrictive, include requirements for drivers to speak a minimum standard of English and for drivers to have insurance cover when they are not working.
A TfL spokesman said: “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.”
Hogan Lovells EU public law and policy head Paul Dacam has instructed Blackstone Chambers’ Tom de la Mare QC and Hanif Mussa on the action.
TfL is being represented by its in-house team, which has instructed Martin Chamberlain QC of Brick Court to lead the case.
General manager of Uber London Tom Elvidge said: “This legal action is very much a last resort. We’re particularly disappointed that, after a lengthy consultation process with Transport for London, the goalposts have moved at the last minute and new rules are now being introduced that will be bad for both drivers and tech companies like Uber.”
Dacam acted for Uber in October last year when TfL claimed that the way the company calculated journey fares was not legal under legislation governing London taxis. That case ruled in Uber’s favour.
Earlier this month, Uber’s China branch instructed Davis Polk & Wardwell to advise on its $35bn (£26bn) merger with local rival Didi Chuxing.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is advising Didi Chuxing.
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