Lecturers' union in Court of Session Appeal over University of Stirling redundancies

The union is arguing that the University of Stirling was wrong to exclude fixed-term staff dismissals from redundancy consultations in the summer of 2009.

UCU won this point in the Glasgow employment tribunal in 2010, but the decision was then overturned by the Edinburgh Employment Appeal Tribunal in February 2012. More on the original case can be found in Stirling University loses legal fight over dismissed staff

UCU will be represented at the Court of Session by Scottish QC Aidan O'Neill.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: 'This is a very important case. Universities across the UK employ thousands of contract researchers and other staff on fixed-term contracts. UCU believes it is only fair and equitable that employers are obliged to consult with unions when multiple fixed-term contracts are coming to an end. We are clear that the law as it stood in 2009 supports our position.'

The case University and College Union v the University of Stirling is scheduled for a two-day hearing in the Inner House of the Court of Session, Edinburgh 25-26 April 2013.