FOI request reference: 181026BUR Internal deadline: Details of the request: Our response: Dear University of the Arts London, I wish to make a freedom of information request for the fol owing information: Information sought for 2011 – 2018 For the following colleges: - London College of Fashion – - Central Saint Martins – - London Col ege of Communication - - Camberwell Col ege of Arts - a. How many legal matters were brought The term “Legal Matter” can be defined quite widely to include: against LCF, CSM, LCC and CCA by
- students or ex-students with a potential claim or letter of claim who have instructed students or ex-students? (2011-18) solicitors in relation to that claim and the University has had to notify its Insurers, UMAL;
- or where students or ex-students have made a complaint threatening to instruct solicitors to pursue legal proceedings. The University’s record keeping reflects the former narrower definition and is the basis upon which we have answered your request. The data sets are smal in each year you have requested and it is therefore likely that these individuals could be identifiable. On that basis, under Section 40 (2) of FOIA, the University may withhold information from you if the disclosure of the information would contravene any of the data protection principles set out in the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). We can provide an aggregated number to assist. There have been 18 legal matters brought against the University by students or ex-students in the time period stated. b. How many of these matters were We have defined legal proceedings as claims issued – that is proceedings issued in court. settled prior to legal proceedings? (2011-18) 2 matters were settled prior legal proceedings. c. Of the matters settled prior to legal Matters settled before legal proceedings have commenced are managed by the University’s proceedings did the LCF, CSM, LCC and insurers UMAL in conjunction with external lawyers on behalf of the University. The University CCA request that the student/ex- did not request that students/ex-students sign non-disclosure agreements as part of their student agree to a non-disclosure as settlements. UMAL have confirmed that the two matters in b. above did not sign a non-disclosure part of the settlement? (2011-18) agreement as part of their settlements. d. Of the matters settled prior to legal
• Discrimination and human rights proceedings what were the issues
• Personal Injury raised as part of the complaint/claim by the student/ex-student? (2011-18) e. Of the matters settled prior to legal The total figure paid during the period of 2011-2018 is £23,044.97 proceedings what monitory sums were paid by UAL/LCF, CSM, LCC and CCA as part of the settlement? (2011-18) f. How many cases issued in were settled Four were settled after legal proceedings. after legal proceedings had started and when were they settled? (2011-18) Owing to the relatively smal data set, it is likely that these individuals could be identifiable if the year of settlement is disclosed for each case. On that basis, under Section 40 (2) of FOIA, the University may withhold information from you if the disclosure of the information would contravene any of the data protection principles set out in the DPA. g. Of the matters settled after legal Matters settled after legal proceedings have commenced are also managed by the University’s proceedings started did UAL/ LCF, insurers UMAL in conjunction with external lawyers on behalf of the University. The University CSM, LCC and CCA as request that the did not request that students/ex-students sign non-disclosure agreement as part of their student/ex-student agree to a non- settlement. However, UMAL confirm that of the four matters settled after legal proceedings, two disclosure as part of the matters were subject to non-disclosure agreements and the other two matters were not subject settlement?(2011-18) to a non-disclosure agreement. h. Of the matters settled after legal
• Course organisation and management proceedings started what were the
• Academic status issues raised as part of the claim by the
• Staff student/ex-student? (2011-18)
• Communication and administrative errors
• Personal Injury
• Discrimination and human rights i. Of the matters settled after legal The monetary sums that were paid was £418,351.41. This is an aggregated figure of payments proceedings started what monitory made between 2011 and 2018. sums were paid by UAL/ LCF, CSM, LCC and CCA as part of the settlement? (2011-18) j. Of the matters settled after legal In light of the smal numbers given in response to f. above, it is likely that these individuals would proceedings started what other than be identifiable. On that basis, under Section 40 (2) of FOIA the University may withhold monetary sums were provided by UAL/ information from you if the disclosure of the information would contravene any of the data LCF, CSM, LCC and CCA as part of the protection principles set out in the DPA. settlement? (2011-18) For the sake of clarity, 12 of the 18 matters referred to in a. above have either been discontinued, dismissed or withdrawn.