DLA Piper advises Stuart on a Collective Dismissal Process in Spain

DLA Piper has advised Stuart, a leading urban delivery platform, on the collective dismissal affecting all of its workplaces in Spain, as well as on the litigation arising from this process.

In April last year, the company announced a collective dismissal process involving more than 240 employees, representing all of its delivery drivers and part of its office staff, maintaining only a technology centre in Barcelona.

After several weeks of intense negotiations, the consultation period ended without an agreement, so Stuart proceeded with the terminations. The workers' representatives challenged the company's decision.

The litigation was brought before the Spanish National Court, which in January 2025, handed down a ruling declaring the collective dismissal to be in accordance with the law, thus endorsing the decision and the procedure followed by the company.

Throughout this process, Stuart was advised by DLA Piper, which has been advising Stuart in recent years on labour litigation, labour inspections and day-to-day strategic matters. Specifically, DLA Piper's labour law team was led by the partner responsible in Spain, Paz de la Iglesia, and Raúl Torres, Legal Director.

Stuart's decision to abandon the delivery business in Spain was mainly in response to an insurmountable loss of competitiveness compared to other platforms which continued to operate through models that are not adapted to the so-called Rider Law's requirements.

Throughout this process, Stuart was advised by DLA Piper, as DLA Piper has been advising the client for several years on employment issues such employment inspections, court proceedings and other matters related to his day-to-day activities in Spain.

The DLA Piper employment team advising Stuart was led by Head Partner in Spain Paz de la Iglesia working with Legal Director Raul Torres.