Legal fees hit LMU

Union leaders claimed this week that London Metropolitan University was facing a spiralling bill for compensation and legal fees approaching a total Pounds 250,000 after being refused leave to appeal against a tribunal verdict in November 2005 that it unfairly dismissed 23 lecturers.

The University and College Union said the Court of Appeal's decision meant the university would now have to pay £160,000 awarded by the tribunal to the lecturers plus £20,000 accrued interest and legal costs. The university has declined to comment.