High Court strikes out law professor’s libel claims – Legal Futures

‘The High Court has struck out libel claims made by a former Warwick University law professor against two fellow academics, an investigator and a law student.’

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Legal Futures, 10th January 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

‘Loud’ academic wins unfair dismissal case against university – The Guardian

‘A senior academic who claimed she was sacked because her bosses could not tolerate her “naturally loud” voice and passionate teaching style has won her case for unfair dismissal.’

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The Guardian, 7th December 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

English universities risk breaking law over offer withdrawals, say ministers – The Guardian

Posted November 29th, 2021 in competition, education, news, school children, universities by tracey

‘Universities in England risk breaking competition laws if they add loopholes letting them withdraw offers from students at the last minute if courses are oversubscribed, ministers and regulators have told vice-chancellors.’

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The Guardian, 29th November 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Father’s court battle to save daughter from cult’s clutches – BBC News

‘A dad who went to court to save his daughter from the clutches of a cult has told BBC’s File on 4 programme the groups have been ripping families apart. The programme has spoken to experts who claimed there were as many as 2,000 suspected cults active in the UK, with some recruiting university students.’

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BBC News, 23rd November 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Diversity scheme launched in Liverpool to inspire next generation of lawyers – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted November 9th, 2021 in Crown Prosecution Service, diversity, legal profession, news, universities by tracey

‘Dozens of legal hopefuls from Liverpool and Manchester have started a scheme relaunched today in Liverpool aimed at encouraging people of different walks of life into law. The Anthony Walker Pathways initiative was launched by the Crown Prosecution Service with the Anthony Walker Foundation, National Black Crown Prosecution Association, Liverpool John Moores University and Salford University. It aims to continue the increase diversity in the CPS by inspiring and supporting students of minority backgrounds into a rewarding career as a prosecutor.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 8th November 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Anger over ‘grotesque abuse’ of £600,000 case to keep Mountbatten papers secret – The Guardian

Posted November 8th, 2021 in archives, costs, freedom of information, government departments, news, universities by tracey

‘The Cabinet Office has been accused of a “grotesque abuse” of public funds in a freedom of information battle over the personal diaries of Lord and Lady Mountbatten in which costs are now expected to exceed £600,000.’

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The Guardian, 7th November 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Oxford Brookes gang rape claim led to students’ expulsion – BBC News

Posted November 5th, 2021 in disciplinary procedures, news, rape, sexual offences, universities by michael

“Two students were expelled from Oxford Brookes University following an allegation of gang rape, the BBC can confirm. A third was suspended after an appeal, and a fourth given a less serious punishment.

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BBC News, 4th November 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Data protection for schools and higher education institutions – 3PB

Posted November 4th, 2021 in codes of practice, data protection, education, news, universities by sally

‘Slightly different from the topic envisaged at the end of part 2 of the cyber series, this article deals with two circumstances. Firstly, the right to access educational data via a subject access request (prompted by a recent issue in my caseload) and, secondly, the data protection obligations owed by further and higher education institutions (“HEIs”) in situations of crisis on campus.’

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3PB, 26th October 2021

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

Research reveals rapes and assaults admitted to by male UK students – The Guardian

Posted October 29th, 2021 in consent, news, rape, sexual offences, statistics, universities by tracey

‘The first survey examining sexual violence by male UK students has shone a light on misogyny at universities, with scores admitting to rape, sexual assault and other forcible acts.’

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The Guardian, 29th October 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Do Employers Discriminate Against People Without Degrees? – Each Other

Posted October 25th, 2021 in education, employment, equality, human rights, news, statistics, universities by tracey

‘In 1999, then Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged that by 2010 half of all under-30s should go on to university, with the aim, in part, of bettering their chances of securing rewarding and well-paid jobs. The target was first met in 2017/2018 and now nearly 60% of sixth form leavers progress on to a degree course. However, in the age of the pandemic, is university really the best route into employment from both a practical and human rights perspective?’

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Each Other, 22nd October 2021

Source: eachother.org.uk

Sexual abuse in School – Adopting a zero-tolerance approach – 3 Hare Court

‘In April this year, thousands of anonymous reports were shared by students on Everyone’s Invited, a website which encourages young survivors of sexual abuse to share their stories. After these reports were received, Everyone’s Invited decided to name the schools implicated in these accounts. Of the 2,962 schools identified, 2,556 are secondary schools and 406 primary schools and 119 universities. To date, in excess of 51,000 testimonies have been shared on the site.’

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3 Hare Court, 1st September 2021

Source: www.3harecourt.com

UK academic sues university after losing role in critical race theory row – The Guardian

‘Aysha Khanom claims discrimination after Leeds Beckett accused her of using “racist language” in tweets.’

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The Guardian, 16th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Offering more law degrees “could save struggling universities” – Legal Futures

Posted July 23rd, 2021 in brexit, budgets, coronavirus, education, legal education, news, universities by sally

‘Universities should prioritise law degrees for investment because they produce “better employability outcomes”, are “comparatively cheap to deliver” and “well-suited to remote or blended learning”, a report has found.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd July 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

High Court criticises Bar Standards Board for “unjust” decisions – Legal Futures

Posted July 23rd, 2021 in barristers, legal education, news, universities by sally

‘The High Court has ruled that the Bar Standards Board (BSB) made “unjust and unsustainable” decisions in refusing a Bar student’s application for an exemption from the vocational element of his training.’

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Legal Futures, 23rd July 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Campus free speech law in England ‘likely to have opposite effect’ – The Guardian

Posted May 13th, 2021 in bills, freedom of expression, news, universities by sally

‘A controversial bill forcing universities in England to promote free speech has been attacked by freedom of expression campaigners, who say the legislation is more likely to have the opposite effect.’

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The Guardian, 12th May 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Universities could face fines over free speech breaches – BBC News

‘Universities in England could face fines under new legislation if they fail to protect free speech on campus.’

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BBC News, 12th May 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Universities ignoring rape culture warnings, say campaigners – The Guardian

‘Universities have ignored repeated warnings to tackle rape culture on campus, and left themselves exposed to lawsuits and reputational damage, according to lawyers and campaigners.’

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The Guardian, 15th April 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Everyone’s Invited: Schools abuse helpline and review launched – BBC News

Posted April 1st, 2021 in child abuse, harassment, news, school children, sexual offences, universities by tracey

‘A helpline and immediate review into sexual abuse in schools have been set up by the government in response to thousands of allegations from students.’

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BBC News, 31st March 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Wide LPC attainment gap based on provider and ethnicity – Legal Futures

‘The disparity between the best and worst legal practice course (LPC) providers has continued to grow, with only 23% of students passing at one institution.’

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Legal Futures, 26th March 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Law in a Time of Crisis by Jonathan Sumption review – beyond the lockdown sceptic – The Guardian

‘The former judge and renowned historian loses his cool on Covid and the culture wars.’

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The Guardian, 3rd March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com