Degree of justice

A law student who took proceedings against Wolverhampton University over an allegedly sub-standard degree course has received a 30,000 out-of-court settlement.

Mike Austen, a 54-year-old ex-pilot from Birmingham, was re-training to become a lawyer, but claimed he became increasingly frustrated about the alleged lack of facilities and teaching standards at the university, and took legal action.

The former polytechnic - accused of breach of contract and misrepresentation, which it denied - had its offer of 10,000 rejected, but agreed the increased sum to avoid paying defence costs it claimed would exceed 200,000.

Among the problems claimed by Mr Austen were overcrowded lecture theatres and seminar rooms, lecturers not turning up and lack of law modules.

His claim also made reference to an alleged failure to live up to what he called the 'inflated claims' made in the prospectus.

His solicitor Jaswinder Gill, a partner at west London firm Gills, said: 'Students haven't really had a voice in the past, but now there is a trend that they are recognising their rights as consumers.'

A statement released by Wolverhampton University said it did not admit liability.

It continued: 'Having carried out an appropriate and thorough investigation, the university is satisfied with the integrity of its processes.

'In reaching this settlement, the university has had cause to consider most carefully the costs of the settlement in comparison to the costs of defending this particular case.'

Andrew Towler