Liberty: Law firm helps Universities ban protests

Shakespeare Martineau LLP – which this month helped Cardiff University obtain a ‘wide-sweeping’ anti-protest injunction – promoted this controversial type of order to other universities at a webinar last October, according to documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. 

Due to the injunction Cardiff staff and students could now face prison and unlimited fines for holding protests without permission from the university, which must be sought three weeks in advance. This all follows conflict between the university and students over a pro-Palestine encampment on campus. 

A Shakespeare Martineau spokesperson emphasised that the order – which is due to be reviewed in July 2026 – does not prohibit “lawful” protest, where the university has given its permission. 

The UN Special Rapporteur, Gina Romero, said in response to this investigation that, “profiting from the [...] curtailing of human rights is despicable,” in comments critical of the law firms’ promotion of the tactic. 

Twelve-month injunctions were last week granted to two Cambridge colleges. 

This is part of a disturbing pattern. 

Across the UK, we’re seeing a crackdown on protest. Liberty Investigates, our independent investigative journalism unit, is shining a light on this erosion of our rights, holding those in power to account. 

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