A settlement has been reached between University College London (UCL) and a group of graduates and students who had initiated legal proceedings regarding the quality of education during the Covid-19 pandemic and strikes.

According to UCL, the institution had taken diligent measures to provide teaching and support to students despite the challenging circumstances, and it did not acknowledge any wrongdoing in the settlement.

A lawyer for the students expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that his firm would continue to represent a large number of students from other universities who were affected by the pandemic.

The terms of the agreement between UCL and the claimants remain undisclosed, with no details shared publicly.

The students and graduates involved in the case had joined the legal action through a website called Student Group Claim, which facilitated their participation in the proceedings.

The law firms representing the claimants argued that the shift to online teaching and cancellation of certain classes had limited access to university facilities and compromised the quality of education.

UCL maintained that its primary focus was on ensuring the well-being and academic success of its students throughout the pandemic.

While the exact number of students involved in the claim at the time of settlement is unclear, approximately 5,000 students had initiated claims against UCL as of July 2024.

David Hamon, the lead claimant, announced that the members of Student Group Claim had reached a confidential settlement with UCL, with no admission of liability from either party.

Hamon also stated that the parties were pleased to have resolved the dispute through mutual agreement, thereby avoiding the need for a trial.

Adam Zoubir, a partner at Harcus Parker solicitors, welcomed the settlement, which he believed provided a resolution for his clients, and noted that his firm would continue to represent students from other universities who were affected by the pandemic.

Shimon Goldwater, a partner at Asserson solicitors, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome and indicated that Student Group Claim would now focus on supporting claimants from other universities who were impacted by the pandemic.

UCL President and Provost Michael Spence acknowledged the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and emphasized that the university's response was guided by a commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its students while maintaining academic standards.

Spence highlighted the efforts of UCL staff, who worked to deliver teaching and support services in accordance with government guidelines, despite the unprecedented circumstances.

He emphasized that every decision made by the university was aimed at balancing the need to safeguard health with the need to preserve academic excellence.

Spence noted that UCL had always respected the right of individuals to seek legal remedies and welcomed the resolution of the dispute, which would enable the university to focus on its core mission of providing high-quality education and research.

Following the Manchester synagogue attack, a survivor has expressed concerns about his safety in the UK, citing the discovery of a previously foiled plot that could have put him in harm's way.

On October 2025, Yoni Finlay was inadvertently shot by a police bullet while barricading the doors of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, where two individuals lost their lives during a violent attack.

Finlay, 40, had long been aware of the potential for such an incident to occur in his hometown, where he has lived his entire life.

According to Finlay, "The fear of an attack is constant, which is why we have implemented security measures, and they do an excellent job, but there is always a risk of something happening."

Unbeknownst to Finlay at the time, he may have been caught up in an earlier plot, which was thwarted by an undercover police operative.

Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, had planned to target Manchester's Jewish community in what could have been the deadliest terror attack in the UK if they had succeeded.

The pair had arranged for firearms to be smuggled into the UK as part of an Isis-inspired plot.

Prosecutors stated that the men intended to launch a gun attack on an anti-antisemitism march by the end of summer 2024, followed by further attacks on Jewish communities in north Manchester.

In a message, Saadaoui noted that Manchester has the largest Jewish community outside of London, stating, "We will carry out [an attack] here."

The next day, Saadaoui took the undercover operative to areas with significant Jewish populations in Manchester to identify potential targets.

Finlay was among the thousands who attended an anti-antisemitism march in Manchester during the summer of 2024, unaware that a plot to target the event had been foiled.

It was not until after his release from the hospital, following the synagogue attack, that Finlay learned about the earlier foiled plot.

Finlay believes that the normalization of antisemitism has contributed to the sense of inevitability surrounding such attacks, saying, "I think for everybody, there was an element of it being a matter of time."

Finlay had also attended a similar march in January 2024, which further underscored his concerns about the prevalence of antisemitism.

He described the undercurrent of hate and antisemitism, saying, "It's difficult to live with on a day-to-day basis, knowing that there are people who don't want us here."

Finlay's personal experiences have been affected, as his son has faced threats and harassment for being Jewish, and now avoids wearing a kippah in public.

Despite being a lifelong resident of Manchester and feeling a strong connection to the city, Finlay feels that it is no longer safe for him and his family.

However, Finlay is determined not to let fear dictate his life, stating, "It's essential not to allow terrorism and hatred to win."

Finlay's resolve to continue living his life without being controlled by fear is evident in his commitment to not letting terrorism prevail.

The sentences handed down to Saadaoui and Hussein, who were found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism, reflect the severity of their crimes.

Saadaoui received a life sentence with a minimum term of 37 years, while Hussein was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 26 years.

A third individual, Bilel Saadaoui, was convicted of failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism and received a six-year sentence.

The convictions and sentences serve as a reminder of the importance of preventing and combating terrorism.

The events surrounding the foiled plot and the subsequent attack on the synagogue have had a profound impact on Finlay and the Jewish community in Manchester.

The case highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the community to prevent such incidents in the future.

At the Milan-Cortina 2026 event, Ilia Malinin of the USA, who was heavily tipped to win the men's figure skating gold, experienced a disappointing performance, falling twice and ultimately missing the podium, allowing Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov to claim the top spot.

For further information, Mikhail Shaidorov's gold medal win is detailed in a separate article, which also discusses Ilia Malinin's unexpected loss.

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