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Cambridge University has dropped its claim for Pounds 15,000 legal costs from lecturer Gill Evans.

Facing criticism for its excessive spending of public money on legal fees in its long dispute over promotions with Dr Evans, the university reacted by claiming the costs of a day in court with her. Cambridge won, but only at the cost of another day in court.

Dr Evans always maintained her disputes could have been settled outside the courts and had refused to pay. Faced with the spectacle of sending the bailiffs to recover a sum equivalent to half of Dr Evans's annual income, Cambridge has backed down.