UCL statement on Student Group Claim

decorative The High Court Judge overseeing a claim brought by students seeking compensation for changes in teaching due to Covid and industrial action has refused to grant a Group Litigation Order (GLO). At a hearing last month, as part of the 'Student Group Claim', the law firms acting for the students (Asserson Law Offices and Harcus Parker Limited) argued that the case should be managed under a GLO - a case management procedure where multiple claims sharing common issues can be dealt with as one single claim. UCL's priority has always been to support its students and promote their wellbeing and educational achievements. During the Covid-19 pandemic it prioritised the health and safety of its students and staff and followed UK Government guidance. The university has never sought to restrict the right of individuals to access the courts to bring claims, but it did oppose a GLO as it considered there were other, better ways for the students' claims to be managed without the need to incur the time and cost of using a GLO. The judge has now agreed with UCL's position and dismissed the GLO application. The claimants' lawyers have also been ordered to provide information about each of the claims including details of the amount of compensation being claimed and the country of residence of students during the Covid pandemic.