Doyle Clayton advises on settlement on complex academic freedom and free speech on campus case

Doyle Clayton acted for Mr Martin Speake, who brought a high profile claim against Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, which has now settled.

The statement by Trinity Laban released to announce the settlement can be found here.

Mr Speake’s claim was complex and concerned the law of academic freedom, free speech on campus, and protected philosophical beliefs under the Equality Act 2010.

He was supported in bringing his claim by the Free Speech Union and the campaigning organisation Freedom in the Arts.

James Murray, Partner at Doyle Clayton specialising in academic freedom and free speech / belief claims, had conduct of the case, and commented,

“In the two years that I’ve acted for Martin Speake, he has gone through significant – and well-documented - personal and professional tribulations. I’m pleased for him that the litigation which he brought against Trinity Laban has now settled, and that the Conservatoire has confirmed that they do not dispute that his email at the heart of this matter, had no racist intent and that Martin considers himself an anti-racist. They have also rightly condemned public attempts to vilify Martin.”

“This was a complex case, at the core of which were issues of free speech on campus, free belief and academic freedom. In recent years, we’ve seen an increasing number of cases which have raised similar issues. Time will tell whether the robust regulatory approach of the Office for Students with respect to academic freedom and free speech will ameliorate the trends which have given rise to such disputes”.