Thousands of former students are poised to receive a portion of £21 million as a result of a legal claim they initiated concerning interruptions to their education during the lockdowns imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
University College London (UCL) has agreed to disburse this multi-million-pound sum to approximately 6,500 individuals while explicitly stating that it assumes no liability. The legal proceedings for the UCL claim were scheduled for a court hearing in March.
According to a report by the Financial Times, the specific amount each individual will receive is yet to be determined and is subject to variation. The students alleged that their educational experience was compromised due to the closure of campuses and the shift to online learning as a result of the pandemic restrictions.
Legal experts suggest that this agreed-upon compensation could set a precedent for other universities to compensate their graduates. The Student Group Claim is advocating for around 194,000 claimants from 36 different universities.
UCL recently announced that it has reached a confidential settlement regarding the matter. In a statement, the university clarified that while it does not admit any fault, the settlement was reached to amicably resolve the issue without incurring additional expenses that could divert resources from teaching, research, and student support.
Adam Zoubir, a partner at Harcus Parker solicitors representing the claimants against UCL, expressed satisfaction with the settlement, highlighting that the resolution addresses the concerns of students who experienced online classes during the pandemic. Meanwhile, Shimon Goldwater, a partner at Asserson solicitors also representing the claimants, indicated that attention would now shift to claimants from other universities affected by the pandemic.
Responding to the settlement, a spokesperson from Universities UK acknowledged the unprecedented challenges faced by universities and students during the pandemic. They emphasized that universities adhered to government directives, adapting swiftly to ensure students could complete their degrees despite restrictions on in-person teaching.
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