Students sue 36 more UK universities over Covid disruption
Approximately 30,000 additional students joined the Student Group Claim by February 18, 2026, bringing the total to nearly 200,000 students taking legal action against 36 UK universities over COVID-19 disruptions. As of February 18, 2026: Lawyers have sent pre-action claim letters to 36 universities, following a confidential settlement reached by University College London (UCL) on February 13, 2026, with 6,500 former students for an undisclosed amount, though UCL admitted no liability. This expansion of legal action began after UCL's settlement, with over 170,000 students initiating claims against 36 additional institutions by February 16, 2026, alleging they did not receive the full educational experience. The initial UCL case, authorized by the High Court for nearly 5,000 students on July 17, 2023, was scheduled for a four-week trial between January and April 2026 before the settlement.
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3 updates
2026
3 updatesApproximately 30,000 additional students have joined the Student Group Claim, bringing the total to nearly 200,000 students taking legal action against 36 UK universities over COVID-19 disruptions. This follows reports of a £21 million payout by University College London (UCL) to 6,500 former students, though UCL admitted no liability and settlement terms are confidential. Lawyers have sent pre-action claim letters to 36 universities.
Following the UCL settlement, over 170,000 students are now initiating legal action against 36 additional UK universities, alleging they did not receive the full educational experience they paid for during the COVID-19 pandemic.
via standard.co.uk·walesonline.co.uk·channelnewsasia.com·disputeresolution.howardkennedy.com·thetab.com
University College London (UCL) announces it has reached a confidential settlement with students who claimed their education was disrupted by the pandemic.
via standard.co.uk·walesonline.co.uk·channelnewsasia.com·disputeresolution.howardkennedy.com·thetab.com
2024
3 updates
2024
3 updatesA High Court judge schedules a four-week trial for the UCL student action between January and April 2026. At this time, Student Group Claim indicates that around 155,000 students are pursuing claims against over 100 UK universities.
via standard.co.uk·walesonline.co.uk·channelnewsasia.com·disputeresolution.howardkennedy.com·thetab.com
Reports confirm the UCL compensation case will advance to a High Court trial, with the number of claimants having grown to approximately 5,000.
via standard.co.uk·walesonline.co.uk·channelnewsasia.com·disputeresolution.howardkennedy.com·thetab.com
Negotiations between UCL and student representatives to reach a settlement fail, paving the way for the case to proceed to a High Court trial.
via standard.co.uk·walesonline.co.uk·channelnewsasia.com·disputeresolution.howardkennedy.com·thetab.com
2023
2 updates
2023
2 updatesThe High Court authorizes nearly 5,000 UCL students to sue the university for compensation related to learning disruptions from COVID-19 and strikes. A temporary stay is imposed to facilitate settlement discussions.
via standard.co.uk·walesonline.co.uk·channelnewsasia.com·disputeresolution.howardkennedy.com·thetab.com
The UK High Court is set to rule on whether to permit a group claim against UCL, a decision anticipated to influence potential legal actions against other institutions.
via standard.co.uk·walesonline.co.uk·channelnewsasia.com·disputeresolution.howardkennedy.com·thetab.com
2022
2 updates
2022
2 updatesLetters of Claim are dispatched to 18 universities, including Cardiff University, formally notifying them of impending legal action concerning pandemic and strike-related disruptions to student education.
via standard.co.uk·walesonline.co.uk·channelnewsasia.com·disputeresolution.howardkennedy.com·thetab.com
Student Group Claim (SGC) initiates legal action by sending a letter of claim to University College London (UCL), marking the beginning of a broad campaign against universities for COVID-19 and strike disruptions.
via standard.co.uk·walesonline.co.uk·channelnewsasia.com·disputeresolution.howardkennedy.com·thetab.com
Story began · 4 years ago