Ubersubmitted a court appeal on Friday to overturn a decision by London’s transportregulator that stripped the taxi app of its operating license in one of itsmost important markets.
Transport for London (TfL) shockedthe Silicon Valley firm last month by deeming it unfit to run a taxi serviceand refusing to renew its license, citing its approach to reporting seriouscriminal offences and background checks on drivers.
Friday’s filing is a shortnotification of Uber’s intention to appeal rather than the detailed grounds. Ahearing is likely to take place on Dec 11, a spokesman at Britain’s JudicialOffice told Reuters.
Uber, criticised by London MayorSadiq Khan for employing an “army of lawyers”, said that it hoped to keeptalking to TfL to find a way forward.
“While we have today filed ourappeal so that Londoners can continue using our app, we hope to continue havingconstructive discussions with Transport for London,” an Uber spokesman said.
“As our new CEO has said, we aredetermined to make things right.”
New global Chief Executive DaraKhosrowshahi met TfL Commissioner Mike Brown for talks earlier this month,which both sides said were “constructive” as the $70-billion firm tries torepair its relationship with the regulator.
The appeal was submitted toWestminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday in the first stage of a legal processwhich could take months or years to reach a conclusion.
Uber’s 40,000 drivers in the Britishcapital will be able to continue operating until the appeals process isexhausted.
Khan, a politician from theopposition Labour Party who is also chairman of TfL, has long criticised Uber’sBritish management and backed the regulator’s decision on Thursday.
“The courts now will consider theappeal from Uber and of course TfL will defend the decision they made,” he saidduring a monthly question time session.