Will Richards Will Richards

Universities Under Pressure: Meeting the OfS’s new standard for fair and trauma-informed investigations

From August 2025, the Office for Students’ new Condition E6 makes it compulsory for UK universities to have fair, transparent and trauma-informed processes for handling harassment and sexual misconduct. Institutions must publish clear policies, ban NDAs, train investigators, and provide student support. This blog explores the challenges of running investigations that are both credible and compassionate, and how universities can prepare to meet OfS requirements.

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Will Richards Will Richards

Lessons from the Noel Clarke Libel Trial: Power, Responsibility, and the Onus to Object

The High Court’s dismissal of Noel Clarke’s libel claim against The Guardian highlights the serious impact of power imbalances in the media industry. This blog explores the judge’s findings, including Clarke’s flawed belief that women could freely reject his advances, and why this ignores the pressure created by status and hierarchy. We examine how such dynamics shape workplace misconduct, the importance of recognising them in investigations, and how organisations can respond through fair, sensitive processes and effective training.

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Will Richards Will Richards

Preparing for the Bullying and Respect at Work Bill: Training Investigators for a Shifting Landscape

The Bullying and Respect at Work Bill signals a shift in how UK employers may soon be expected to handle workplace bullying. While the Bill is not yet law, it highlights the growing need for organisations to take bullying complaints seriously and investigate them with care. This article explores how internal investigators can prepare for future legal changes and rising employee expectations by strengthening their approach now. From updated procedures to specialist training, we look at practical steps that help ensure investigations are fair, robust, and trusted.

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