Search

How can we help?

Icon

Oxford Professor wins age discrimination claim

A former physics professor at Oxford University has won his claims of age discrimination and unfair dismissal after he was forced to retire following his 68th birthday.

The University’s employer-justified retirement age (EJRA), in place since 2011, requires academics to retire before they turn 69, with the justification that it allows for younger and more diverse academics to progress.

Despite his position as Head of Department and his involvement in several large-scale projects, the professor’s application to renew his contract for three years was rejected in 2017.

He presented evidence to the Tribunal that as a result of the EJRA, only 2-4% more vacancies had been created.

A former physics professor at Oxford University has won his claims of age discrimination and unfair dismissal.

The Tribunal found that the professor had been unfairly discriminated against on the grounds of age and that his dismissal was unfair. They held the measure was disproportionate given both the “trivial” number of vacancies created and the measure’s discriminatory impact, and accordingly it had not been justified. The University is considering an appeal.

This is the second case against Oxford University’s compulsory retirement age, following on from the unsuccessful claim by an English professor in May 2019. This latest ruling by the Tribunal on Oxford’s EJRA is likely to impact on his appeal later this year.

About this article

Disclaimer
This information is for guidance purposes only and should not be regarded as a substitute for taking legal advice. Please refer to the full General Notices on our website.

About this article

Read, listen and watch our latest insights

art
  • 29 July 2025
  • Commercial Real Estate

Right to Renew: The Law Commission’s Statement

Many commercial tenants occupy their premises under tenancies. Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (the “Act”) gives these business tenants the right to remain in their premises when their tenancies would have otherwise come to an end, this is known as a “right to renew” or “security of tenure”.

art
  • 29 July 2025
  • Corporate and M&A

Articles of Association v. Shareholders Agreement in England and Wales: Which one works best for you and your company?

The decision of whether to solely rely on a company’s Articles of Association or implement a bespoke Shareholders’ Agreement depends on the specific needs and priorities of the individual shareholders and the company alike.

Pub
  • 28 July 2025
  • Employment

Talking Employment Law: The Employment Rights Bill – Part 3

In part three of the Employment Rights Bill podcast series, Louise Keenan and Lucy White, members of the employment team, will discuss changes to fire and re-hire practices, harassment, zero-hour contracts and tribunal limitation periods.

art
  • 24 July 2025
  • Corporate and M&A

Deal Announcement: Clarkslegal’s corporate lawyers advise on the sale of Just Construction Recruitment Ltd to ASAP TT SAS

Clarkslegal’s corporate team is pleased to have advised the shareholders of Just Construction Recruitment Ltd on the sale of the company to French based, ASAP TT SAS.

art
  • 23 July 2025
  • Immigration

Home Office Announces Major Changes to Skilled Worker Route

On 1 July 2025, the Home Office released a new Statement of Changes (HC 997), delivering on the first phase of what the government calls a “sweeping reform” to the immigration system, as set out in the May 2025 Immigration White Paper. The changes to the Immigration Rules were enforced on 22 July 2025.

art
  • 21 July 2025
  • Employment

When the ‘Kiss Cam’ Captures More Than Just a Moment: Romantic Relationships in the Workplace and the Legal Risks

Imagine this: A packed Coldplay concert. Tens of thousands of fans. Suddenly, the “kiss cam” camera pans to the crowd and lands on a man and woman sharing an affectionate embrace.