High Court Judgment in Uber Britannia Limited v Sefton Borough Council

01 August, 2023

The High Court has given judgment in the case of Uber Britannia Limited v Sefton Borough Council [2023] EWHC 1975 (KB) and held that an operator who accepts a private hire booking is required to enter as principal into a contractual obligation with the passenger to provide the journey which is the subject of the booking. 

High Court Judgment in Uber Britannia Limited v Sefton Borough Council

01 August, 2023

The High Court has given judgment in the case of Uber Britannia Limited v Sefton Borough Council [2023] EWHC 1975 (KB) and held that an operator who accepts a private hire booking is required to enter as principal into a contractual obligation with the passenger to provide the journey which is the subject of the booking. 

This follows on from a decision of the Divisional Court, which considered the position in London. The High Court judgment looks at the different statutory framework applicable outside London.

The judgment will have far-reaching implications for PHV workers’ rights and the business models of operators in England, excluding London.

Charles Holland appeared for the Defendant, Sefton Borough Council in the High Court. 

Gerald Gouriet KC appeared for the Fourth Intervenor, D.E.L.T.A. Merseyside Limited in the High Court.