Addison Lee must pay £125,000 deposit orders to continue legal battle with drivers

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) upheld a ruling that Addison Lee must pay £125,000 in deposit orders to proceed with parts of its defence in a significant workers' rights case.
The decision on 18 July 2024 affirms the 2023 Employment Tribunal (ET) order against the private hire and courier company.
Law firm Leigh Day represents over 600 drivers in a group legal claim, arguing they should be classified as workers and thus entitled to benefits like holiday pay and the national minimum wage.
Initially, the claim involved three drivers and covered the period from July 2014 to May 2016. In 2017, the ET ruled in favour of these drivers, a decision unsuccessfully appealed by Addison Lee up to the Court of Appeal. A settlement was reached in February 2024.
Addison Lee contends that the 2017 ruling does not extend to the subsequent claims of hundreds of other drivers. Nevertheless, the ET required the company to pay £125,000 if it wished to continue contesting these claims, citing the slim likelihood of a successful defence. By opting to pay, Addison Lee signalled its intention to argue that drivers were not workers during the relevant period and thus not entitled to associated rights.
The EAT's latest decision to dismiss Addison Lee's appeal confirms the deposit orders. The crucial liability hearing is set for 28 October to 24 November 2024, which will determine the worker status and rights entitlement of the remaining claimants.
Liana Wood, Leigh Day employment lawyer, said: “Our ongoing legal claim argues that the hundreds of drivers we represent, many of whom worked at a similar time as the three drivers who have received a settlement and workers’ status, should be entitled to workers’ rights.
“It is encouraging that Addison Lee’s latest appeal has been rejected in its entirety, which signifies the strength of our argument that drivers should be classed as workers. I look forward to the final hearing in October so that hopefully the drivers will finally receive what they are owed.”