Uber has turned to Hogan Lovells and Tom de la Mare QC of Blackstone Chambers to appeal Transport for London's (TfL) decision to reject its application for a new licence in London.

Hogan Lovells head of public law and policy Charles Brasted will act for Uber in the legal challenge.

TfL announced today (22 September) that it will not renew Uber's licence when it expires on 30 September after concluding that the taxi company "is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence".

In a statement, TfL said: "Uber's approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications."

Uber's approach to reporting serious criminal offences, its approach to obtained medical certificates, and its reluctance to give regulatory bodies access to Greyball, the firm's ride-hailing software, are all cited as reasons behind the decision.

Uber has 21 days to appeal the decision.

Hogan Lovells and de la Mare previously acted for Uber when the company challenged new rules set by TfL in August last year. The new rules included requirements for drivers to speak a minimum standard of English and for drivers to have insurance cover when they are not working.

The firm's former EU public law and policy head Paul Dacam, who has now retired from the firm, instructed de la Mare QC and Hanif Mussa, also of Blackstone Chambers.

Uber is currently embroiled in a number of other legal issues. These include an internal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against a former employee, its trade secrets fight against Google self-driving subsidiary Waymo, and a recently announced US Justice Department investigation into Uber's use of regulator-skirting software.

Last year, Uber Technologies turned to Cuatrecasas Goncalves Pereira partner Cani Fernandez to argue on its behalf in a European Court of Justice hearing that could determine how Uber should be regulated within the European Union.

Also in 2016, UK Uber drivers won the right to be classed as workers rather than self-employed after succeeding in a landmark legal challenge. Uber, which was represented by DLA Piper, said it will appeal the ruling. The Employment Appeal Tribunal in London has set a two-day hearing to start later this month.

Earlier this year, Uber completed its EMEA panel review with DLA Piper, DWF and Herbert Smith Freehills winning spots.

This month, it also appointed UK legal director Matthew Wilson as associate general counsel for EMEA, alongside a number of other changes to its in-house legal team. Chief legal officer and general counsel Salle Yoo recently confirmed she is set to leave the company as it continues to search for a new GC.