Alliott Group report shows legal status and future of Uber and ‘ride sharing’ industry remains uncertain in many jurisdictions
13 October 2016
A report comparing eight jurisdictions around the world from Alliott Group, an international alliance of over 160 professional services firms, reveals a wide variety of government responses to the regulation of ride sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft
Some of the highlights from the report are detailed below:
London, United Kingdom
Paul Marmor, partner at Sherrards Solicitors comments: “A High Court ruling confirmed that Uber’s ride sharing app does not breach UK law, but the outcomes of employment law cases related to the legal classification of drivers will have a bearing on how the company operates in the future.”
Australia
Jon Broadley of Broadley Rees Hogan comments: “In Sydney, the industry is now regulated with the state Government describing the change as a necessary update on ‘out dated’ transport regulations. Taxi licence owners have been compensated with a AUD 250 Million ‘industry adjustment package’.”
Ohio, USA
Chris Blake of Hahn Loeser & Parks adds: “The responses across Ohio’s main cities have varied, some city councils passing ordinances to regulate ride sharing, while others have left companies such as Uber operating ‘in a regulatory void’. New state-wide legislation is due in March 2016.”
California, USA
Shane Devins of Masuda Funai comments: “While ride sharing services can now legally pick up passengers at LAX, as in London, their long-term prospects hinge on a lawsuit related to the classification of drivers and the employment law implications that may follow.
New Delhi, India
Alfred Adebare of LexCounsel comments: “Uber continues to operate in Delhi despite its application for a license being rejected twice. Should Uber become a licensee, compliance would require Uber to modify its business model to such a degree that its future could be threatened.”
Germany
Stefan Simon of SPITZWEG Partnerschaft comments: “Uber is illegal in Germany as the 1968 German Passenger Transportation Act prevents the company from registering as a ‘taxi’ transportation system. However, bigger questions related to EU law and the freedom of establishment and services give Uber hope.”