Suing my University

alanshave

Hi all.

I'm considering suing my Uni through the small claims court although I notice that you cannot sue government departments.

Can any budding legal people confirm for me that my University wouldn't be classed as a government department and are therefore suable?

Cheers in advance, Alan.

tomstickland

Suing for what?

Sillychuckie

I too am interested for what... I have so many gripes with my university, its unbelievable. I imagine that whatever BS you are facing, I have come across it too.
I don't suppose you are at Manchester Metropolitan Uni are you?

Bossyboots

Universities are privately run concerns as far as I am aware, nothing to do with the government.

Moley456

Suing a university? Good question. This is not legal advice and i'm not saying it's right either. A university is usually a Company of some description, it has the right to sue and therefore should also have the right to be sued. (aka Legal Personality). You should probably seek some advice from a legal professional. You should also need to consider why you are suing them, the reasons and the law behind it.

Like i say i'm not any legal advice. You should seek a legal profesional for advice.

Hope that offers some assistance

Moley456

[Deleted User]

I did once have my university try to charge me a fairly big fine for trespass. Ha, i went to see a solicitor and spent a year writing letters. I won and they left me alone.

Good luck suing a uni, I hope you've got a damn good reason and you made the right complaints at the right times. Waiting till the end of a course to complain that your lecturer always turned up late won't do much unless you said something about it at the time.

badger._2

A university is very similar to any sort of business, thus, the ability to sue, and be sued.

There's been a number of cases recently, notably the case of a Kent student, who was caught up on plagiarism the day before his final exam. He's arguing the guidlines weren't clear, retrospectively giving him the permission to continue stealing paragraphs.

Firstly, think about what you're suing for. A university has extensive legal capacities, and whilst cases are on the up, success isn't. If you're going to small claims court, remember your prospects are limited. Although perfect if your trying to reclaim tuition fees, (popular amongst small claims...)

If you post your argument, maybe I could help further...

digp

a lto depends on why you are suing them.

if academia related, speak to teacher stern selby: http://www.tsslaw.co.uk/index3.htm

digp

add: speak to Jack Rabinowicz at tss

RichyRich

A university can be sued (various case law exists confirming this - Someone v Keele University and Someoen v University College Salford spring to mind, although sorry I can't remember the someone's!)

It may well be a public body but is not a government department.

Rich

Moley456

Richyrich,

Glynn v Keele University, (1971)

Keele University V Price waterhouse cooper(i think) 2004

I don't know about the other universities.