UK university challenges government decision in high court

London Metropolitan University asked the High Court to step into the dispute about visas for overseas students. It wanted Justice Irwin to grant an order that the UK Border Agency's (UKBA) decision suspending and revoking its sponsorship licence should itself be suspended pending the outcome of a judicial review seeking permission to pursue. Its counsel, Richard Gordon QC, said there was a strong prima facie case that the UKBA's decision was unlawful and the balance of convenience favoured the granting of a temporary injunction - given the impact of the decision on the university and its students. "The financial impact on the university, and on its reputation and good will, are enormous. The impact on students' education, financial position and the disruption to their lives is extremely significant." he added. The university's highly trusted status (HTS) for sponsoring international students was suspended while the UKBA examined alleged failings. Of 101 sample cases, 26 students were studying between last December and May even though they had no leave to remain in the UK, UKBA figures showed. A lack of required monitoring meant there was no proof that students were turning up to lectures in 142 of 250 (57%) sampled records. Twenty of 50 files checked since May for evidence of mandatory English language testing and academic qualifications showed poor assessment, where documents were either not verified or not held. Nearly 2600 overseas non-European Union (EU) students left in limbo will get three months to find an alternative course or would have to leave the country, officials have said. Genuine students have 60 days to make a new application or to arrange to leave the UK, but the countdown starts when UKBA writes to them and no letters will be sent out until October 1.