BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones says that Uber is now looking for an 18-month licence, rather than the five-year licence it was originally seeking.

"It's kind of putting itself on probation," he said. "There have been plenty of talks between the two sides, so the question will be whether the court thinks they've done enough."

Our technology correspondent says there has been "a change of mood" at Uber under its new boss, Dara Khosrowshahi. Whereas the firm used not to care "whose feet it trod on", Mr Khosrowshahi has tried to "paint the picture of a kinder, gentler Uber".

According to the firm, 3.6 million passengers regularly use its app in London and it has 45,000 drivers in the city.

Since being denied a licence to operate in London, Uber has implemented a number of changes.

Uber now reports crimes directly to the police - previously it had logged criminal complaints with Transport for London, which caused delays.

Growth in private hire licences in London

Drivers are now only allowed to use the app in the region they hold a private hire licence.

The working hours of its drivers are also more tightly regulated. A licensed driver on its app must take an uninterrupted six-hour break after 10 hours of driving with a passenger or travelling to a pick up.

Drivers who do not take a long enough break will not be able to log in to the app and take trips.

The company has also revamped its leadership. Three independent non-executives have been appointed to its UK board.

Uber has also had difficulties getting licences in Brighton, York and Sheffield.

In a separate case in 2016, Uber lost a legal battle over the status of its drivers.

A London employment tribunal ruled that its drivers were workers, rather than self-employed.

It meant drivers would be entitled to holiday pay, paid rest breaks and the national minimum wage.