Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary, Dr Paula Sanderson explains why the university has secured an injunction – a legal order to help minimise disruption and protect everyone in our community.

After two days in The High Court, the university successfully secured an injunction - a legal order, to help minimise disruption to our community.

The order prevents people occupying or remaining upon university land for the purpose of protest. It prevents direct blocking, obstruction or interference to many of our key university buildings.

It also prevents people from erecting or placing any structure including, for example, tents, gazebos or other sleeping equipment on university property without prior consent.

I want to be absolutely clear, what it does not prevent is the right of staff and students to take part in legal and peaceful protest. Nor does it prohibit staff and students from endorsing or supporting a political view or cause within the law.

Any suggestion that we’ve “banned every form of protest” as I’ve seen on social media, is inaccurate. When summing up the evidence, the judge was explicit – there was compelling evidence for the order however it does not prohibit conduct or protest which is lawful.

Staff may have already seen the legal documents attached and displayed at relevant university buildings. We’ve also made these publicly available on our website so anyone can read the relevant information.

Right to peaceful protest

The reason we took this action was, in part, prompted by the recent encampment – and associated disruption - outside the university’s Main and other key buildings.

The recent, and the previous encampment on Horseshoe Drive of Main Building, was established without the university’s consent.

It raised a number of safety, well-being, and safeguarding issues. Whilst efforts were made to engage, members of the encampment largely refused to identify themselves and chose to conceal their identities.

In addition to occupying Horseshoe Drive without consent, both entrances to Main Building have been blocked in recent weeks preventing staff and students from work, study and preparation for exams.

This has resulted in buildings being closed, tabled exams and other events being moved and research activity being disrupted. Events and external visitors have also been targeted by protestors.

Rooms in our Glamorgan Building were also occupied, as well as other buildings. The roof of the Glamorgan Building has been accessed on two occasions putting protestors’ personal safety, and that of others, at risk.

These recent incidents – as well as other incidents over the last twelve months - have had an adverse impact on university business.

They have caused disruption and distress to members of our university community, resulting in a number of complaints which we have a duty to investigate and take appropriate action.

Ensuring safety

The safety, security, and well-being of everyone in our university is our primary concern. We have a duty to ensure that all staff and students can live, work, and study without fear or distress.

Whilst the encampment has voluntarily disbanded, given the risk that the encampment will return and teaching, research and other key university events will be disrupted, we were left with little option other than to seek an injunction – a legal order.

I can assure you that we did not take this decision lightly. However, this action became necessary to bring an end to disruption and deter others from seeking to risk day-to-day university business. The action is also in line with that taken at other universities in Wales and across the UK.

I understand and appreciate that some members of our university community will disagree with this action. However, I want to be absolutely clear: this decision was taken to ensure the safety of everyone in our university community – including those within the encampment and the protestors themselves.

Cardiff has a strong and proud tradition of protest. It’s a vital tenet upon which our community operates and which we respect.

The court order recognises and preserves that. We remain absolutely committed to free speech - peaceful protest is part of the DNA of our university and the court order enables our staff and students to continue to do so peacefully and safely.

Dr Paula Sanderson
Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary