Former students are poised to receive a portion of £21 million following a legal dispute regarding the impact of coronavirus lockdowns on their education. University College London (UCL) has agreed to compensate approximately 6,500 individuals, although it has not acknowledged any wrongdoing. The final payout for each student remains undetermined, as reported by the Financial Times. The claimants alleged that the quality of education they received was compromised due to campus closures and the shift to online learning during the pandemic.
The agreed settlement is anticipated to set a precedent for other universities to consider compensating students. Student Group Claim, representing around 194,000 claimants from 36 universities, is closely monitoring the situation. UCL recently announced a confidential resolution to the matter, emphasizing that while they do not accept liability, they opted for a settlement to avoid unnecessary expenses that could detract from their core mission of providing exceptional education and support to students.
Adam Zoubir, a partner at Harcus Parker solicitors representing the claimants against UCL, expressed satisfaction with the settlement, which brings closure to the UCL case while ongoing support is extended to students at other universities. Similarly, Shimon Goldwater from Asserson solicitors, also representing the claimants, welcomed the commercial settlement and confirmed that their focus will now shift to students at other institutions affected by the pandemic.
Universities UK spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced by universities and students during the pandemic, highlighting the sector’s efforts to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances and government directives. Despite limitations on in-person teaching during lockdowns, universities swiftly adjusted their approaches to ensure students could successfully complete their studies.