Kiwi Barrister’s PhD Battle Hits The Courts

In the hallowed halls of Cambridge University, a legal drama is unfolding, pitting a former law student against the institution that shaped his academic journey.

Jacob Meagher, a former New Zealand law graduate, Cambridge law graduate and now a qualified barrister, has taken the unprecedented step of suing his alma mater over a failed PhD, claiming it cost him a coveted position in chambers.

The Crux of the Case

Meagher’s lawsuit centers on his unsuccessful “viva voce” oral examination, a crucial component of the PhD process.

He argues that this failure led to the loss of a tenancy offer at a prestigious set of chambers, resulting in substantial financial losses.

The case, now before the High Court, seeks damages for what Meagher describes as “disability discrimination and victimisation” under the Equality Act 2010, as well as breach of contract and common law duty of care.

A Battle of Perspectives

The university’s criteria for awarding the PhD, Meagher contends, placed him at a “substantial disadvantage”.

He argues that he is “less able than other candidates of the same ability to produce a singular lengthy and multifaceted piece of work such as a PhD thesis”. This claim forms the cornerstone of his discrimination case, suggesting that the university should have allowed alternative assessment methods.

The oral examination, a rite of passage for PhD candidates, became the flashpoint of Meagher’s legal battle. He alleges that the university failed to implement guidelines from its Disability Resource Centre, which he claims should have included specific questioning techniques and allowances for breaks during the examination.

A Setback and a Path Forward

While Mr Justice Constable denied Meagher permission to sue individual academic staff members, the door remains open for a breach of contract claim against the university.

The legal tango continues, with Meagher, now a door tenant at London’s 1EC Barristers, leveraging his expertise in education law and discrimination.

The Man Behind the Case

Meagher’s profile reads like a tapestry of academic achievements – an LLB, LLM, MSc, MBA, PGCE, and various other postgraduate qualifications spanning financial, legal, and medical fields.

He graduated from Victoria University Law School in New Zealand before becoming a Court of Appeal clerk for two appellate judges in New Zealand then working for the NZ Law Commission, prior to moving to the UK to further his academic and legal career.

His admission to the bars of Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, along with the ‘Freedom of the City of London’ award, paints a picture of a legal polymath.

This case transcends the individual, touching on broader issues of disability accommodation in higher education.

Meagher, who also directs a company specializing in disability adjustments, frames the lawsuit as a challenge to Cambridge’s record on disability, dispute resolution, and student mental health support.

As this academic-turned-legal battle unfolds, it raises profound questions about the intersection of disability rights, academic standards, and the evolving landscape of higher education.

The outcome could potentially reshape how universities approach PhD assessments and disability accommodations, making this case one to watch for legal eagles and academics alike.