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Camden News - by TOM FOOT
Published: 13 November 2008

Academy sponsor case ‘optimism’

COUNCIL chiefs say they are confident a legal challenge to a decision to appoint University College London as the sponsor of a new academy school will fail.
Following a five-day hearing in the High Court, Camden Council said yesterday (Wednesday) it was awaiting the Lord Justice Michael Forbes ruling with “optimism”.
Barrister Clive Lewis, QC, argued the council had acted “lawfully” last July in naming UCL as sponsor of a 1,200-pupil academy planned for Adelaide Road, Swiss Cottage.
A council spokesman said: “We remain confident that Camden Council acted lawfully throughout the entire process in line with statute and government guidance, consulting widely with residents, schools and other stakeholders.”
Solicitor Richard Stein’s legal team claim Camden has flouted government guidance and was wrong not to allow other bidders to compete for the contract.
Barrister David Wolfe argued the council had chosen UCL in a “backroom deal”, ignoring “huge interest” from the education charity Absolute Return for Kids (Ark) and the Church of England.
Rhodri Thompson, QC, also appearing as part of Mr Stein’s legal team, is also pushing for a separate judicial review against the Secretary of State claiming the project should have been opened up to European bidders.

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