Open to members only
To register for this event please use the Wufoo link below
https://auaforms.wufoo.com/forms/z180yd3k0t9ghod/

In association with QSN and AHEP, will be hosting a webinar on Thursday 25th April between 13:00-15:00.

The “problem with the University’s reliance on its own Regulations and policies… was that they are not the law. They were subject to the law, including the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.” (Mr Justice Lindon, Feb 2024).

In a landmark case in February 2024, the High Court upheld an earlier judgement from May 2022, that the University of Bristol failed to make reasonable adjustments for Natasha Abrahart, a 20-year-old female student who suffered social anxiety. Natasha took her own life in April 2018 on the day she was due to give a presentation in a 329-seat lecture theatre. The ruling concluded that Natasha had been indirectly discriminated against on the grounds of disability, contrary to the Equality Act 2010.

This tragic case serves as a poignant reminder for higher education providers to reassess their policies and procedures, ensuring they are robust and effective, particularly in accommodating students with known mental health issues. While the court did not explicitly define the duty of care, its decision prompts critical discussions about institutions' obligations and empowers students to assert their rights when facing similar challenges.