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

At the outset of the renewal hearing, I raised the procedural question of how to deal with the Claimant’s extensive Reply and renewal documents. Counsel for the University, Mr Greatorex, took a commendably pragmatic view and invited me to hear the Claimant’s submissions on his case at its highest and then to revisit any procedural issues as required.

The Claimant indicated to me that he has mental health issues and was recovering from the flu. He was granted reasonable adjustments to the extent that he was permitted additional time to make his submissions. However, his submissions ultimately took very much longer than the 30 minutes allocated to the hearing and the hearing itself took some 2¼ hours, which is why it was necessary to reserve judgment.

It is fair to say, however, that the issues for me to resolve crystallised quite significantly during the oral submissions.