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Universities relieved by free speech bill amendments

Groups say changes will avoid “vexatious” litigation, but questions remain over whether tort is needed

Universities have welcomed proposed government changes to the free speech bill, which they say will reduce the risk of institutions facing “frivolous claims”.

An amendment to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) bill by Frederick Curzon, deputy leader of the House of Lords, will mean “only persons who have sustained loss can bring civil proceedings” against universities, and only once they have gone through “a relevant complaints scheme”.

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