{"id":1998,"date":"2025-05-10T09:44:43","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T08:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/21percent.org\/?p=1998"},"modified":"2025-05-12T07:15:39","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T06:15:39","slug":"jacob-meagher-versus-the-university-of-cambridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/21percent.org\/?p=1998","title":{"rendered":"Jacob Meagher versus the University of Cambridge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A high profile case is unfolding which may cause reputational damage to one of the world’s great universities. The case has already excited substantial media interest in Varsity<\/a>, the Daily Telegraph<\/a>, the Times<\/a> and WONKHE<\/a>. It’s the subject of a YouTube video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The case of Jacob Meagher v. University of Cambridge<\/em> centres on possible disability discrimination and procedural failings during Meagher\u2019s PhD exam, which may have led to significant personal and professional harm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacob Meagher is a qualified barrister at 1EC Chambers<\/a>. He is also a PhD candidate in Law at Sidney Sussex College. He did not pass his PhD viva examination in April 2023. The university eventually declared that the exam was not held in accordance with its regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adjustments to the PhD viva were advised by Cambridge University’s own Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre<\/a>. These included provisions such as allowing breaks and using specific questioning techniques. The university failed to implement any of the recommended adjustments.\u00a0Jacob Meagher argues that the absence of these accommodations placed him at a substantial disadvantage, contributing to his viva result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the tragic suicide of a disabled student at Bristol University, Natasha Abrahart,<\/a> there were substantial legal repercussions. The Equality and Human Rights Commission issued new guidance<\/a> to universities on their responsibilities to disabled students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Our new guidance, available to the public but issued directly to higher education institutions and staff, establishes what universities must do to comply with equality law. The advice is clear that waiting for a student to come forward and ask for reasonable adjustments is not enough. Universities need to proactively support their disabled students so that they can thrive in a safe and equal environment.” (Baroness Falkner, Chair of EHRC)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The reasonable adjustments in Meagher’s case were simple to put into effect. This was not done. This highlights a common challenge<\/a> faced by disabled students (and staff) in ensuring that recommended accommodations for disability are actually implemented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, Jacob Meagher tried to settle matters internally. He wanted to ensure that this should never happen to a disabled student ever again, as well as to be provided with fair and impartial adjustments for the examination of his PhD. No adequate response was forthcoming from Cambridge University. Jacob Meagher was treated as if he was trying to exploit the system rather than addressing his genuine needs. His mental health began to deteriorate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“No student should be driven to suicide and the point of breakdown; no student should have to launch legal proceedings against their alma mater simply to be assured of a fair examination of their PhD thesis.  On multiple occasions I have written individually to Professor Prentice [Vice Chancellor] and Professor Vira [Pro Vice Chancellor for Education] and have received no response.” [J Meagher]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

After attempts to settle the matter internally failed, Jacob Meagher initiated legal proceedings against the University of Cambridge alleging:<\/p>\n\n\n\n