Resolution criteria

• Resolves Yes if any of the following occur, and the outcome is final (no pending appeal or the appeal window has lapsed):

  • A UK court or tribunal issues a written judgment finding that Emmanuel College, the University of Cambridge, or another relevant body acted unlawfully in a way that violates Dr. Nathan Cofnas’s freedom of speech/academic freedom or otherwise upholds his claim arising from the April 2024 termination of his college affiliation (e.g., declaration, damages, or reinstatement). Verifiable via the National Archives’ Find Case Law database or the GOV.UK Employment Tribunal decisions database. (caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk)

  • The Office for Students (OfS) issues an official decision or sanction finding a breach related to Cofnas’s free speech/academic freedom in this matter. Verifiable on the OfS site. (officeforstudents.org.uk)

  • A publicly announced settlement clearly favorable to Cofnas (e.g., reinstatement and/or monetary payment and/or admission of wrongdoing) is confirmed by both parties or reported by multiple reputable outlets. (thetimes.co.uk)

• Resolves No if his claims are dismissed/defeated on all material free-speech/academic-freedom grounds and there is no favorable settlement; or if he withdraws his case/complaints without a favorable settlement. (caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk)

• Mixed outcomes: If at least one claim on free speech/academic freedom or directly related unlawful treatment is upheld (even with nominal damages), resolve Yes; otherwise No. Source of truth: the final written decision(s) or settlement announcement as above. (caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk)

Background

• Emmanuel College (Cambridge) ended Cofnas’s research affiliation on April 5, 2024, following backlash over his blog posts; the University publicly emphasized “freedom of speech within the law” amid protests. (thetab.com)

• In August 2024, Cofnas (with support from the Free Speech Union) initiated legal action against Emmanuel College over the dismissal, framing it as a free speech/academic freedom case. (thetimes.co.uk)

Considerations

• Regulatory context: England’s Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 expanded OfS powers; after a government pause, core duties commenced for providers on August 1, 2025, enabling OfS enforcement in campus free-speech matters (separate from court claims). (governanceandcompliance.admin.cam.ac.uk)

• Precedent signals: In March 2025 the OfS levied a record £585,000 fine on Sussex for free-speech/governance breaches (unrelated to Cofnas), indicating the regulator’s willingness to sanction institutions. (officeforstudents.org.uk)

• Venue uncertainty: Depending on his contract/affiliation, proceedings could be in civil court rather than an employment tribunal; hence the resolution sources include both Find Case Law (courts/tribunals) and GOV.UK tribunal decisions. (caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk)