Freedom of Speech Policy

Blackfriars Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech

The following Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech was approved by the Local Executive Board of Blackfriars Hall on 24/11/2025. It will be reviewed in the light of further information expected from Government in relation the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, and updated accordingly. The Code of Practice does not change the Hall’s pre-existing position that freedom of speech and academic freedom are central tenets of Hall life and must be robustly protected.

1. Introduction

1.1 This Code of Practice sets out the values and expectations of Blackfriars Hall relating to freedom of speech and academic freedom and how these values and expectations are applied to the Hall’s activities as a branch of its governing charity, the English Province of the Order of Preachers (henceforth “the Province”).

1.2 Freedom of speech means the freedom, within the law, to receive and impart ideas, opinions or information by means of speech, writing or images (including in electronic form).

1.3 Academic freedom is a separate, but complementary right. It applies in relation to academic staff at the Hall and means their freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions, including their opinions about the Hall, without institutional censorship and without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs or privileges.

1.4 References in this Code of Practice to “Hall premises” means land, buildings, or other premises owned, leased or occupied by the Hall or under the day-to-day control of the Hall.  All such premises are ultimately owned operated by the Province as the parent charity of Blackfriars Hall, and subject to the parent charity’s policies and governance in line with its charitable aims.

1.5 The University and the Oxford Students’ Union each have their own Codes of Practice on Freedom of Speech.

2. Legislative Framework

2.1 The legal duty of UK universities to protect free speech and academic freedom is enshrined in the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 and is also protected under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights which has effect through the Human Rights Act 1998. Academic freedom is also protected under the Education Reform Act 1988.

2.2 Section 43 of the Education (No 2) Act 1986 states that:

(1) Every individual and body of persons concerned in the government of any establishment to which this section applies shall 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 establishment and for visiting speakers invited to speak at the College by a member, student or College employee acting in their capacity as a member, student or College employee.

(2) The duty imposed by subsection (1) above includes (in particular) the duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the use of any premises of the establishment is not denied to any individual or body or persons on any ground connected with-

(a) the beliefs or views of that individual or of any member of that body; or

(b) the policy or objectives of that body.

2.3 Section 3 of the Education (No 2) Act 1986 states further that the governing body must maintain a code of practice setting out certain matters relating to meetings and activities, which are addressed in this document.

2.4 Whilst the Hall is not a registered higher education provider as defined by the Education (No 2) Act 1986 and therefore not directly subject to the duty outlined above at 2.2, the Hall has chosen to set out a Code of Practice in line with these principles.

3. Our values

Free speech is the lifeblood of a university. It enables the pursuit of knowledge and is respectful of the different insights and ideas put forward by others and which may challenge one’s own. Freedom of speech helps us approach truthfulness as a common project. It allows students, teachers and researchers to become better acquainted with the variety of beliefs, theories and opinions in the world. Recognising the vital importance of free expression for the life of the mind, a university may make rules concerning the conduct of debate but should never prevent speech that is lawful. Therefore:

3.1 Freedom of speech within the law and academic freedom are central tenets of life at Blackfriars Hall and must be robustly protected.

3.2 In all its activities, the Hall seeks to:

(1) secure and promote civic and academic freedoms including freedom of speech;

(2) ensure a very high level of protection for the lawful expression of a viewpoint and for speech in an academic context; and

(3) foster a culture of openness and inclusion, in which members of our community engage with each other, and the public, in debate and discussion, and remain open to both intellectual challenge and change.

The Hall is committed to ensuring that its teaching, research, curriculum, policies and procedures reflect its duties to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable and having particular regard to their importance, freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law.

4. Conduct

4.1 Inevitably, this will mean that members of the University/Blackfriars Hall (“Hall”) may be confronted with views that some find unsettling, extreme, or offensive. The Hall therefore fosters freedom of expression within a framework of robust civility, a culture of free, open and robust discussion which can be achieved only if all concerned engage critically but courteously with each other. Freedom of speech should not be used in a manner to disrespect others.

4.2 The Hall is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all members of the Hall community are respected. In accordance with the terms of its Policy and Procedure on Harassment, the Hall does not tolerate any form of harassment or victimisation and expects all members of the Hall community, its visitors and contractors to treat each other with respect, courtesy and consideration.

4.3 Within the bounds set by law, all voices or views which any member of our community considers relevant should be given the chance of a hearing. Wherever possible, they should also be exposed to evidence, questioning and argument. As an integral part of this commitment to freedom of expression, we will take steps to ensure that all such exchanges happen peacefully. With appropriate regulation of the time, place and manner of events, members of our community should have no reasonable grounds to feel intimidated or censored.

4.4 Peaceful protest is a legitimate expression of freedom of speech. However, such protest must not shut down debate nor cause substantial disruption to Hall activities, nor to the activities of those institutions distinct from the Hall but which share facilities and buildings with the Hall, namely Blackfriars Priory, the Blackfriars Studium, and the English Province of the Order of Preachers. The respect which the Hall expects all members of the Hall community to demonstrate towards each other is particularly important where it comprises respect for the right of others to speak freely and exercise their academic freedom. Staff, Fellows, students and members of the Hall wishing to protest either on Hall Premises or on non-Hall premises in a manner which may disrupt Hall activities, or the activities of the institutions named above, must seek permission in advance by referring the matter under the Procedure for Meetings and Events set out in Annex A of this Code. Carrying out such protests without permission may lead to disciplinary action under the relevant procedures. The Hall may also take action to remove any unauthorised encampment or occupation under its common law power of removal or by court proceedings. The Proctors have published Guidance on Demonstrations or Protests which is available as Annex B to this Code.

4.5 Complaints about the behaviour of individuals should be made under the appropriate procedure:

1. a) Complaints about staff members, Fellows, Visiting Research Scholars and Tutors for Visiting Students should be made under the Hall’s Policy and Procedure on Harassment, or under the Hall’s Student Complaints Procedure, or its Complaints Procedure for Staff, Fellows, Visiting Research Scholars and Tutors for Visiting Students depending on the status of the person making the complaint and nature of the complaint;
2. b) Complaints about others acting in the context of the Hall should in the first instance be made to the Senior Tutor or Secretary of Studies.

4.6 Complaints that arise in the University context (i.e. in the course of University activity or on University premises) should normally be made to the University.

4.7 All activity must be risk assessed and planned in accordance with the Hall’s Health and Safety Policy.

5. Hall Activities

5.1 The Hall ensures that its teaching, research, curriculum, policies and procedures reflect its duties to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law.

5.2 In making decisions or adopting policies that could directly or indirectly (and positively or negatively) affect freedom of speech, the Hall will take into account:

(a) the importance of academic freedom (as required e.g. by the Education Reform Act 1988);

(b) the need to take reasonably practicable steps, to ensure that freedom of speech within the law is secured for members, students and employees of the Hall and for visiting speakers (as required e.g. by the Education (No 2) Act 1986);

(c) the rights and freedoms enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and incorporated into domestic law by the Human Rights Act 1998;

(d) the Public Sector Equality Duty established by the Equality Act 2010 which requires universities to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different groups;

(e) the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 which requires universities to ‘have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’ (section 26 (1)) and which also provides that ‘when carrying out the duty imposed by section 26 (1)’, universities ‘must have particular regard to the duty to ensure freedom of speech; and to the importance of academic freedom.’

5.3 A breach of this Code may lead to disciplinary action being taken under the appropriate Hall procedure (including disciplinary procedures for staff, Fellows, Visiting Research Scholars and Tutors for Visiting Students, or the Student Non-Academic Disciplinary Procedure for students).

5.4 Complaints that the Hall has breached its duties in relation to freedom of speech may be raised by students and staff, Fellows, Visiting Research Scholars and Tutors for Visiting Students through the usual complaint routes. A complaint may also be brought by a former student where their complaint relates to events which occurred while they were a student and which impacted them in that capacity, provided such a complaint is raised within three months of the event in question. The appropriate procedure for raising such complaints is as follows:

(a) complaints by members of staff, Fellows, Visiting Research Scholars and Tutors for Visiting Students should be addressed under any applicable grievance procedure unless they are related to other complaints and/or form part of an existing complaint, and/or fall under the scope of another staff procedure, in which case they should be raised within the procedure associated with those other complaints (e.g. the Harassment or disciplinary procedure);

(b) complaints by students should be raised under the Student Complaints Procedure unless they are related to other complaints and/or form part of an existing complaint under another procedure in which case they should be raised within the procedure associated with those other complaints (e.g. the Harassment Procedure etc);

On receipt of any such complaint, the Local Executive Board of the Hall will consider the most appropriate procedure to be followed, in consultation with relevant colleagues and the complainant and in some cases they may refer the matter to be considered under a different more appropriate procedure.

6. Meetings and events on Hall premises

6.1 Through the implementation of this Code, the Hall takes reasonably practicable steps to ensure that freedom of speech within the law is secured within its community. The Hall acts in a risk-based and proportionate manner, will always aim to allow an event to go ahead, and will work with the organisers towards this goal provided that it is: (i) within the law and does not shut down debate; (ii) does not pose unacceptable risks to individuals; (iii) cause substantial disruption to Hall activities, or to the activities and life of the institutions with which it shares facilities and premises, (iv) breach the conditions under which the Hall has use of shared facilities and premises. Cancellation of events is undesirable and should be exceptional.

6.2 Any member, student, student body, academic visitor or employee of the Hall who is organising a meeting or event (including those that take place online) or is responsible for administering external bookings of Hall Premises (the “Organiser”) is responsible for assessing those meetings and events in the context of this Code, and other relevant Hall policies. The Organiser MUST follow the procedure outlined in Annex A to this Code in any of the following circumstances:

(a) the meeting or event may give rise to an environment in which people will experience, or could reasonably fear, discrimination, harassment, intimidation, verbal abuse or violence, particularly (but not exclusively) on account of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation;

(b) the event is a protest which is intended to take place on Hall premises and/or in a manner which may disrupt Hall activities, or the activities and life of the institutions with which it shares facilities and premises, or breach the conditions under which the Hall has use of shared facilities and premises, including by any person occupying or setting up camp on Hall premises;

(c) the event could involve the use of Hall Premises for any purpose or in any manner that may cause damage to Hall, Priory, or Province premises; loss or damage to any person or put the Hall and its parent charity in breach of any law or obligation (contractual or otherwise) to any person;

(d) further to the above, where the event may involve risks to the English Province of the Order of Preachers’ duties of care towards vulnerable people, members of the public, and volunteers who avail of the charity’s activities, premises, and services;

(e) the event may shut down debate or prevent others from speaking freely or exercising their academic freedom; and/or the meeting or event may pose a risk to the safety of any person.

If Organisers are in any doubt or have any questions or need for further information, they are encouraged to discuss the situation with the Academic Registrar in the first instance, and then seek advice, as appropriate, from the Senior Dean and/or the Senior Tutor, the University Security Services, or (where appropriate) the Prior of Blackfriars Priory, for matters that may affect the resident religious community and congregation. No meeting or event which is proposed to be held on Hall premises may be refused, cancelled or altered as a result of the beliefs or views (in the case of an individual, or a member of a body) or the policy or objectives (in the case of a body) of the individual or body seeking to hold the meeting or event save as a result of consideration by the Local Executive Board.

7. Monitoring and review

7.1 Blackfriars Hall will review at least annually the contents and operation of this Code of Practice and report on its operation and recommend amendments to it for consideration by Governing Body as appropriate or necessary.

ANNEX A: PROCEDURES FOR MEETINGS AND EVENTS

A1. This Annex is issued under section 6.2 of the Hall’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech (the “Code”).

A2. Where a meeting or event may fall under section 6.2 (a)-(e) of the Code, the Organiser should formally notify the Senior Tutor and/or Senior Dean of the prospective meeting or event at the earliest possible opportunity, and no later than 3 weeks in advance of the meeting or event.

A3. In the context of this Code, the Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor is entrusted with the duty to assess the implications of events formally referred to them and to act in accordance with the Hall’s legal responsibilities, including as set out in the conduct and procedures in this Code.

A4. On receipt, the case will be assessed by the Senior Tutor and/or Senior Dean who will present the case to the Local Executive Board for its consideration and determination. The Local Executive Board will also consider cases where it has been made aware by other means of meetings that may fall under section 6.2 (a)-(e) of the Code. Any member of the Hall or member of staff who has concerns about a prospective meeting or event should bring his or her concerns promptly to the attention to members or a member of the Local Executive Board.

The starting point, for the Local Executive Board’s considering a particular event, will be that the event should be allowed unless there are compelling and exceptional reasons for it not to proceed.

A5. As required by section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, the Local Executive Board will not give permission to hold a meeting or event where it is known that:

(a) the proposed speaker belongs to, or professes to belong to, a proscribed organisation; or

(b) the proposed speaker will use the event to support, or to further the activities of, a

proscribed organisation.

A6. In exceptional circumstances, it may be reasonable to refuse permission for a Hall meeting or event where the Local Executive Board reasonably believes (from the nature of the speakers or from similar activities in the past whether held at the Hall or otherwise) that:

• the views likely to be expressed by any speaker are contrary to the law;
• the intention of any speaker is likely to incite breaches of the law or to intend breaches of the peace to occur;
• the meeting is likely to include the expression of viewpoints that are reasonably believed to be highly controversial and/or offensive and the Organiser will not permit contrary or opposing viewpoints to be held or expressed;
• the views likely to be expressed by any speaker are for the promotion of any illegal organisation or purpose, including organisations listed on the government’s list of proscribed terrorist groups or organisations;
• the event is likely to shut down debate or prevent others from speaking freely or exercising their academic freedom;
• the event is a protest which involves any person occupying or setting up camp on Hall Premises;
• the event is likely to involve the use of Hall Premises for any purpose or in any manner that may cause damage to Hall premises or loss, damage, or injury to any person or put the Hall in breach of any law or obligation (contractual or otherwise) to any person;
• the event is likely to cause substantial disruption to Hall activities, or activities of the Blackfriars Studium, Blackfriars Priory, and the English Province of the Order of Preachers, with which the Hall shares facilities and buildings, where that disruption cannot be mitigated by conditions imposed by the Local Executive Board under paragraph A8 to the satisfaction of the Blackfriars Studium, Priory, or the English Province of the Order of Preachers, or breach the conditions under which the Hall has use of the premises.
• it is in the interest of public safety, the prevention of disorder or crime, that the meeting does not take place.

A7. The lawful expression of controversial or unpopular views will not in itself constitute reasonable grounds for withholding permission for a Hall meeting or event.

A8. Where the Hall is reasonably satisfied that the otherwise lawful expression of views at an event or meeting on Hall Premises is likely to give rise to disorder or threats to the safety of any person, they shall consider what steps it is necessary to take to ensure the safety of all persons and the security of Hall Premises. This might include postponing or relocating a meeting or event or imposing conditions. The responsibility for fulfilling these conditions rests with the Organiser.

A9. The Hall will usually carry out a risk assessment for each meeting or event falling under this Code of Practice. A risk assessment template is included as Annex C of this Code.

A10. Where the Hall decides that the meeting or event requires security, those security costs must be met by the Organiser within the timeframe specified by the Hall.

A11. Where the visiting speaker could reasonably be expected to have their own security because of the political or state office they hold the Proctors’ Office will not usually be involved in security arrangements.

A12. In the event that:

• a meeting or event falls under section 6.2 (a)-(e) of the Code but the Organiser does not notify the Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor; or
• the Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor considers that the risks cannot be mitigated by the imposition of conditions; or
• the Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor reasonably believes that the Organiser will not comply with the conditions,

then in each case the Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor can refuse consent for the meeting or event to go ahead and/or cancel the meeting or event.

A13. If the Organiser does not comply with the Hall’s conditions or goes ahead with the meeting or event after the Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor has refused consent or cancelled the meeting or event then such action may lead to disciplinary action under the relevant procedures (as set out in paragraph 4.3) and where relevant the Hall may remove any unauthorised encampment or occupation under its common law power of removal or by court proceedings.

A14. The Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor will communicate their decision promptly and will set out the reasons for the decision.

A15. If any student or member of staff is dissatisfied with the decision of the Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor in relation to a meeting or event they may refer the matter under the relevant complaints procedure set out in section 5.4 above.

ANNEX B: GUIDANCE ON DEMONSTRATIONS OR PROTESTS

This Guidance is issued under section 4.2 of the Hall’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech (the “Code”).

We uphold freedom of speech within the law, as outlined in the Hall’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech. Free, open and robust discussion is essential to our academic community. However, such a culture can only be maintained when all participants engage with each other in ways which may be critical but which are courteous. The Hall does not tolerate harassment or victimisation in any form. We expect all members of the Hall community, as well as visitors and contractors, to treat each other with respect, courtesy, and consideration. Please refer to the Hall Harassment Policy.

The Hall is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that promotes equality and which values diversity. The Hall has a responsibility to maintain a safe, effective, and welcoming environment for all our students, staff, and visitors. A demonstration or protest will fall within the Hall’s procedures for meetings and events (as set out in section 6 of the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech). As such organizers must contact the Hall in advance, following the procedure set out above, and a risk assessment will be required. The Hall have a duty to facilitate protests and will work with organisers to ensure that protests can take place but do not violate the Hall Statutes and hence result in disciplinary procedures. The Senior Dean can be contacted by email, as indicated in the Student and Fellows’ Handbooks, and on the website.

Hall members participating in protests are required to identify themselves to Hall officials when requested to do so. Failure to do so is a breach of Statute XI of the University’s Statutes which all students with a contract to study at Oxford must abide by.

Students will face disciplinary investigation if the University Statutes are breached. The following extract from Statute XI are examples of clauses in the Statutes which are relevant to protests:

No member of the University shall in a university context intentionally or recklessly:

(a) disrupt or attempt to disrupt teaching or study or research or the administrative,

sporting, social, cultural, or other activities of the University;

(b) disrupt or attempt to disrupt the lawful exercise of freedom of speech by members,

student members, and employees of the University or by visiting speakers;

(c) obstruct or attempt to obstruct any officer, employee, or agent of the University in

the performance of his or her duties;

(d) deface, damage, or destroy or attempt to deface, damage or destroy any property of

the University or any Hall or any other individual or knowingly misappropriate such

property;

(e) occupy or use or attempt to occupy or use any property or facilities of the University

or of any Hall except as may be expressly or impliedly authorised by the university or

Hall authorities concerned;

(g) engage in action which is likely to cause injury or to impair safety;

(h) engage in violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening, or offensive behaviour or

language;

(i) disobey a reasonable instruction given within their authority by one of the Proctors or their deputies;

(k) refuse to disclose his or her name and other relevant details to an officer or an

employee or agent of the University or of any Hall in circumstances where it is

reasonable to require that that information be given;

Contravening any Statute may lead to the following possible consequences, under which the

University may:

(a) issue the student member with a written warning;

(b) require the student member to attend a programme of education;

(c) require the student member to enter a temporary or permanent restriction on

contact with a named individual or individuals;

(d) impose a fine of such amount as it thinks fit;

(e) suspend the student member’s access to or exclude the student member from

University accommodation or require the student member to move to other University

accommodation (subject to the terms of the student member’s lease);

(f) order the student member to pay compensation to any individual or body suffering

injury, damage, or loss as a result of the student member’s conduct;

(g) issue directions in relation to the future provision of references for the student

member;

(h) make an order banning the student member from specified University premises or

facilities for such period or on such terms as it thinks fit;

(i) subject to endorsement by the relevant Hall, make an order banning the student

member from specified Hall premises or facilities for such period or on such terms as it

thinks fit;

(j) suspend the student member for such period as it thinks fit.

In addition to actions that the Hall may take under its Statutes, unauthorised occupation of

Hall land or buildings may lead to legal action including the Hall issuing court possession

proceedings or exercising its common law power of removal.

ANNEX C: TEMPLATE VISITING SPEAKER PROCEDURES AND RISK ASSESSMENT

Visiting Speaker Risk Assessment and Procedure

Note: This is an annex of the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech and should be read in conjunction with the Code.

• Procedure to be followed by all event organisers
  • Anyone organising an event with a visiting speaker attending must follow this procedure and comply with Blackfriars Hall’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech and its Health and Safety Policy.

• The event must not be advertised or promoted until it has been authorised under this

• Criteria for assessment of proposal external speaker or event
  • Prior to approval of any visiting speaker event, the event organiser is responsible for completing the appropriate Visiting Speaker Risk Assessment and assessing the speaker against the following set of questions:

1. Does the proposed external speaker have links to or represent a proscribed terror group or organisation?
2. Is the event title or subject matter likely to be controversial or cause distress? Will both sides of the argument be presented? Has an event on this topic been run previously by the Hall, another College, or the University?
3. Who is chairing the meeting? Are they sufficiently qualified to provide balance and challenge during the event? What is their stance on the topic under discussion and is this likely to impact the smooth running of the event?
4. Has the speaker spoken at this institution or another higher education institution? What is known about them? Are there grounds to suspect that the individual may speak outside the parameters of the law?
5. Will hosting the speaker have public order implications, risk injury to attendees or damage to university or any other property? Is there the potential for serious health and safety issues to arise? Is it likely that the presence of the speaker will prompt protest?
6. Who is attending the event? Will it be open to the public?
7. Will hosting the speaker have reputational risk for Blackfriars? Is the event likely to attract media attention? Will the event be advertised on social media?
8. Has the speaker agreed to abide by Blackfriars Hall’s values of academic rigour, courtesy, etc. ?Has the speaker been given a copy of, and agreed to abide by, this and other relevant Blackfriars policies?
9. What materials will be available at the event? (e.g. leaflets, DVDs, memory sticks)
   • The completed Risk Assessment should then be submitted to the Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor for initial consideration, and who will then pass it together with their recommendation to the Local Executive Board for their determination.

• If the answers to the questions above conform to the Hall’s Code of Practice: the Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor will advise the event organiser that they can confirm the event and any visiting speaker and ‘book’ them to speak at their event or activity and promote this in the normal way.
• If the answer to any of the questions is unclear and the risk assessment is indicative of ongoing risks: the Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor will consider with the event organiser whether to continue with the event, and under what conditions. This may include escalation of the review of the Risk Assessment to the Local Executive Board together with recommendations on whether to proceed with the event. The Board may consult with the Blackfriars Studium, Blackfriars Priory, and/or the English Province of the Order of Preachers, before reaching its determination.
• Where an event is referred to the Local Executive Board and/or Province for approval, these bodies will consider all relevant information and either:
• Approve the event subject to conditions and/or reasonable requirements to ensure that any risks are being Such conditions may include: provision of stewards, variation of location and/or time, whether the event is open to the public.
• Decide not to proceed with the event or visiting speaker(s).
• The Local Executive Board may monitor any event to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech and any conditions or restrictions imposed. The Hall may stop an event at any time if any conditions are not met or the Code of Practice is breached. This does not absolve the event organiser of their responsibility to ensure their event complies with the conditions and/or Blackfriars Hall policies at all times.

• Risk Assessment of academic conferences, colloquia, public lectures, and seminar events

• Conferences, seminars and public lectures

Where an academic conference is hosted by the Hall or its Research Institutes, it will be sufficient for the event organiser to complete a single local risk assessment for the event by answering the key questions at paragraph 2.1 of this procedure.

If the response to at least one of the key questions raises prospective risks, then the event organiser must escalate the concern to the Senior Dean and/or Senior Tutor, who will follow paragraphs 2 and 3 of this procedure in the normal way.

• Events organised by the Middle / Mixed Common Room (MCR)
  • The MCR will be responsible for ensuring that it, and any society, club, network affiliated to it, complies with the Hall’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech, its Health and Safety policy, and this procedure.

• If a referral to the Local Executive Board or Province is required, this will be undertaken by the President of the MCR, who will be responsible for making the submission with/on behalf of the Event Organiser.

Visiting Speaker Risk Assessment Template

Key Questions

Please read the following questions carefully and add your responses: