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Legal challenge over VAT on school fees – Robert Lewis for the Guardian

Posted on 18 June 2025

Robert Lewis has been featured in The Guardian, Independent School Management and The PIE Network discussing the judgment in ALR and others -v- Chancellor of the Exchequer in which a group of private schools, pupils and their parents have lost their High Court challenges over the imposition of VAT on school fees. 

Speaking to the Guardian, Robert said the result was anticipated in legal circles: “From the outset, the claim faced formidable legal obstacles: it sought to overturn a fully democratically endorsed policy; one introduced in the Labour manifesto, debated in parliament, and enacted into law. 

“Nonetheless, the judgment does offer a modest but meaningful silver lining for independent schools. It observes that an outright ban on independent schools would likely breach the UK’s obligations under the European convention on human rights.” 

Read the full article 

Related coverage 

Independent School Management 

The PIE Network  

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