The Office for Students (OfS) has confirmed that it will not seek to appeal a judicial review which found in favour of the University of Sussex on several grounds.
Chair of the OfS, Edward Peck said:
‘We believe that prolonging litigation in this case would not be in the best interests of students or the higher education sector. We want to focus on the future, learn lessons from the judgment, and work constructively with the sector as we continue our important work to protect and promote free speech on campus.
‘This decision also reflects the fact that the OfS will soon have a range of sharper tools to help it effectively intervene where freedom of speech or academic freedom is compromised. This includes a complaints scheme, to be operational from September 2026, which will allow academics and visiting speakers to bring complaints direct to the OfS.
‘It is important to note that the judgment broadly endorsed the approach set out in our free speech guidance. Some aspects of the guidance will need to be updated, though, to make sure there is clarity as preparations continue for the launch of the complaints scheme. Colleagues in the OfS will engage with the sector as this work is taken forward.
‘With a new board in place, and new chief executives joining us in June, we will continue to improve the way we regulate universities and colleges. This is work which is already well underway. We look forward to working collaboratively with the sector to ensure that all students continue to benefit from a higher education experience that encourages free expression and learning from diverse perspectives.’