European Union

The policy of Transport for London (TfL) and London boroughs permitting black cabs but not minicabs to drive in most London bus lanes was not unlawful. In particular it did not offend (i) the European Union right of freedom to provide services, as contained in Art 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (the Treaty); (ii) freedom of establishment, pursuant to Art 49 of the Treaty; (iii) the EU general principle of equal treatment; or (iv) Art 107 of the treaty by amounting to favourable treatment of black cabs as against minicabs, such as to constitute unlawful state aid.