R (University of Sussex) v Office for Students

On 29 April 2026, the High Court handed down judgment in R (University of Sussex) v Office for Students [2026] EWHC 984 (Admin). This claim for judicial review challenged a £585,000 fine imposed on the University of Sussex by the Office for Students, for failure to comply with Ongoing Conditions of Registration E1 and E2(i) in relation to the University’s Trans and Non-Binary Equality Policy Statement.

Overall the Court found in favour of the University, holding (among other things) that: (1) the Policy Statement was not a “governing document” to which Condition E1 applied; (2) the Office for Students was entitled to enforce Condition E2(i) notwithstanding the jurisdiction of the University’s visitor; and (3) the Office for Students had misdirected itself in law in its approach to freedom of speech and academic freedom.

Monica Carss-Frisk KC, Emmeline Plews, and Tom Lowenthal acted for the Office for Students.