Section 31 Freedom of expression in universities etcI1

This section applies to a specified authority if it is the proprietor or governing body of—

When carrying out the duty imposed by section 26(1), a specified authority to which this section applies—

When issuing guidance under section 29 to specified authorities to which this section applies, the Secretary of State—

When considering whether to give directions under section 30 to a specified authority to which this section applies, the Secretary of State—

In this section—

• F11...

• F12“the need to ensure freedom of speech” means the need to take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure that freedom of speech within the law is secured for members, students and employees of the institution in question and for visiting speakers;

• F13“academic freedom”—

  1. in relation to a registered higher education provider or a constituent institution of such a provider has the meaning given by section 85(6) of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017;

  2. in relation to an institution in Wales or an institution in Scotland means the freedom referred to in section 202(2)(a) of the Education Reform Act 1988;

• F14“constituent institution”, in relation to a registered higher education provider, has the same meaning as in Part A1 of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (see section A4(4) of that Act);

• “institution in Scotland” means an institution whose activities are carried on, or principally carried on, in Scotland;

• “institution in Wales” means an institution whose activities are carried on, or principally carried on, in Wales;

• F15“qualifying institution” means any of the following—

  1. a registered higher education provider,

  2. a constituent institution of such a provider, and

  3. an institution in Wales or an institution in Scotland which is a qualifying institution for the purposes of section 202 of the Education Reform Act 1988;

• F16“registered higher education provider” has the meaning given by section 3(10)(a) of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.