High Court says ride-hailing gig models are unlawful

A court ruling will see a host of London’s private hire firms forced to reclassify their relationship with drivers and customers, potentially leading to significant price hikes.

The High Court yesterday declared the so-called ‘gig economy’ model of contracting, in which platforms like Uber and Bolt act only as an agent to a ‘contract’ between driver and passenger, unlawful.

Instead the firms will be required to enter into a contractual obligation with the passenger, effectively turning the driver from a contractor into an employee.

Nicholas Le Riche, Partner in our employment team comments on the Supreme Court’s ruling in an article for City AM.

The full article is available, here.