Uber faces potential Vic class action

Taxi and hire-car operators are preparing a class action against ride-share giant Uber for operating unlawfully in Victoria prior to state laws.

Uber is facing a potential class action from taxi and hire-car operators in Victoria who believe they have lost earnings as a result of the ride-share giant's conduct.

Law firm Maurice Blackburn, under instruction from the Victorian Hire Car Association, opened a registration system for drivers and licence holders on Tuesday.

The potential action would be based on allegations the company acted unlawfully when operating in Victoria up to mid-2017 when ride-sharing laws came into effect.

The action will push ahead pending further investigation of the "unlawful action" and the number of drivers who register, Maurice Blackburn's Ben Slade said.

"If our investigation reveals that Uber's entry to the market involved unlawful conduct, there may be grounds for a class action to recover losses on the part of those affected," he said in a statement to AAP.

There are at least 6000 taxi and hire car licence holders in Victoria impacted by the entry of Uber in allegedly unlawful circumstances, Mr Slade added.

"We would anticipate strong interest from those that have felt the impact of Uber's alleged unlawful entry into the Victorian market."


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Published 21 November 2017 11:48am
Updated 21 November 2017 8:40pm
Source: AAP


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