Can You Join a University Covid Claim?

The case involves students claiming compensation for breaches of contract by universities due to disruptions caused by Covid-19. Students paid for in-person tuition and access to facilities, but many received online classes and restricted services instead, which legal experts argue violates the terms of their contracts. Despite these disruptions, universities did not refund affected students. Thousands of UK students have already joined no-win, no-fee group action claims, seeking justice and financial redress similar to what US students received.

Separate claims are being brought against different UK universities (the defendants). Cases have already been launched against:

• Cardiff University
• City University of London
• Coventry University
• Imperial College London
• King’s College London
• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
• Newcastle University
• Queen Mary University of London
• University of the Arts London (UAL)
• University of Birmingham
• University of Bristol
• University College London (UCL)
• University of Leeds
• University of Liverpool
• University of Manchester
• University of Nottingham
• University of Sheffield
• University of Warwick

The case against UCL is the first to go to court and could set a precedent for future actions against the UK universities.

Find out instantly with our easy-to-use eligibility checker.

Our simple eligibility checker provides instant clarity. Answer a few straightforward questions, and you’ll know if you could qualify to join a no-win, no-fee group action claim. If you have a potential claim, register your interest and we’ll keep you updated about this case. Your matchmaker for justice, if eligible, we’ll pair you with a regulated law firm running a suitable claim.

We cannot say exactly how much compensation you might get if the universities are ordered to pay compensation. Each claim is based on its merits and your solicitor will work to get the compensation owed to you. According to one  lawyer, if successful, undergraduate claimants could receive around £5,000 each, with potentially higher compensation for postgraduate and international students.

In the UK, if a group of people have experienced loss, or otherwise been harmed by an organisation’s law breaking, they can come together to fight for justice. Levelling the playing field when standing up to big businesses, group actions prove that there is strength in numbers. At Join the Claim, we bring consumers and law firms together to ensure these group actions are as powerful as possible.

We won’t charge you a single penny. And we ensure any law firms we connect you with operate on a no-win-no-fee basis. If you win, the law firm will either take its fees from your compensation payment or recover these from the defendants. 

A no win, no fee agreement means you don’t pay your solicitor’s legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful. This makes it easier and more affordable to take part in group litigation. However, T&Cs apply.

Want the full picture, including what to check before signing?  Read our complete guide to no win, no fee agreements here.