Overview
- The High Court set aside the £585,000 penalty on Wednesday after finding the Office for Students approached the case with a closed mind.
- The judge said the regulator misapplied the 2017 higher education law by treating Sussex’s trans and non-binary equality statement as a governing document.
- The ruling said talk of a general “chilling effect” or likely stress was not a valid reason to punish the university under the rules.
- Sussex called the decision a vindication, and vice-chancellor Sasha Roseneil will seek a meeting with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to discuss the fallout.
- The OfS said it was disappointed and is considering its next steps, a stance that could shape how it enforces campus free-speech rules.