Dr. James Browne:

One individual won her case and the university promoted her. At that point, five other individuals who had competed in the 2013-14 round made cases based on the 2008-09 round. They chose, as was their right, to take us to the High Court. I regret that and one of them has since withdrawn the case, meaning there are four female colleagues with cases in the High Court. I appreciate the tremendous stress they are under but I would have preferred it if they had taken us through our own procedures. They chose not to, and that is their right. It is difficult for the university but the university and I have no choice. When High Court proceedings are lodged, we must answer them. Neither I nor the university have the authority to promote anybody without due process.