Uber has reached a significant settlement in Australia, agreeing to pay A$271.8 million to resolve a lawsuit brought by taxi operators and drivers. The lawsuit by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers on behalf of over 8,000 taxi and hire car owners and drivers alleged that they suffered financial losses due to Uber’s aggressive expansion into the country.
The law firm described Uber as fighting “tooth and nail” throughout the legal proceedings. However, with this settlement, Maurice Blackburn believes that legacy issues concerning Uber’s entry into Australia are now firmly in the past.
In a statement, Uber acknowledged its contributions to various state-level taxi compensation schemes since 2018. The company emphasized that the settlement represents a step towards resolving the ongoing dispute.
The proposed settlement, whose size was not disclosed by Uber, still requires court approval to ensure it is in the best interests of all group members involved in the class action. If approved, it would mark a significant milestone in the case, which was filed in 2019 in the Supreme Court of Australia’s Victoria state.
Maurice Blackburn’s principal lawyer, Michael Donelly, hailed the case’s outcome as a success, highlighting that it delivered the desired outcome for the group members seeking justice.
Uber, headquartered in San Francisco and operating globally in over 70 countries and 10,000 cities, has faced numerous legal challenges and protests from taxi drivers over the years. Notably, in December 2023, the company prevailed in a lawsuit brought by 2,500 taxi drivers in France, with a Paris commercial court ruling in Uber’s favor, dismissing allegations of unfair competition.
Despite these legal battles, Uber continues to operate and expand its services worldwide despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny and challenges from traditional taxi operators.
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