AC-2024-LDS-000019 - [2025] EWHC 2940 (Admin)

Shortly before the renewal hearing the Defendant filed a skeleton argument which confirmed the following.

On 11 July 2024 the Defendant expelled the Claimant from the University with immediate effect. The letter informing the Claimant of this indicated that the reason for this was that a Student Conduct Panel had upheld a series of allegations against him. These included allegations that he had disrupted the activities of the University, obstructed the students and staff in carrying out their functions, duties or activities and engaged in behaviour which was likely to cause fear, distress or offence to others. He was advised he had a right of appeal against the expulsion, to be exercised within 10 working days.

On 19 July 2024 the Defendant informed the Claimant of the outcome of the complaint he had made about the events of 11 March 2024 (and a separate complaint). The Claimant’s complaint that he had been wrongly barred from attending the AGM and that a member of the security team had made a malicious complaint to the police about him were not upheld. The Claimant was advised that he could progress the complaint to stage 3 provided he did so within 10 working days.

The University’s position is that the Claimant did not appeal his expulsion or progress his complaint to stage 3. For his part the Claimant contests having received all the relevant documentation.

On 10 March 2025 the Claimant issued a claim against the University in Sheffield County Court seeking £3,000 in damages under the HRA for alleged breaches of Article 10 and 11 on the basis that he was not permitted to attend the AGM. The University entered a Defence disputing the claim. On 14 May 2025, District Judge Childs stayed that claim pending the outcome of this hearing.