UberPop granted temporary reprieve in France

A French Court has declined to ban Uber's controversial UberPop app, bouncing the decision to the country's highest appeals court.

The ruling provides a reprieve for Uber's lower cost app service, which effectively allows users to be ferried around without a professional licence.

"The Paris Court of Appeal today gave a strong signal by allowing [UberPop], Uber’s low-cost operating model, to continue operating," said an Uber spokeswoman.

"The court also decided to refer additional elements of the Thévenoud Law, which forms the legal basis of this case, to the Constitutional Court," she added.

The app has sent regulators across Europe into a tailspin. Earlier this month a German court placed a nationwide ban on UberPop. However, the company is appealing the decision.

The service has been banned in Spain and the Netherlands. Last week the Dutch Transport Inspectorate carried out raids on Uber's Amsterdam office as it investigates allegations that the ride-sharing company is continuing to operate its banned UberPop service.

The Uber spokeswoman added: "Uber is committed to working with local authorities to improve urban mobility with transport options that help to reduce drunk driving, pollution and congestion whilst better connecting underserved areas. Uber is bringing real choice to mobility and the transportation industry, an industry that hasn’t changed in decades," she said. ®