Breach of Contract Against Universities

Overview

At private institutions in particular, the relationship between a student and the school is largely contractual: the handbook, catalog, code of conduct, and published policies form the agreement, and courts read them by the student’s reasonable expectations. When a school fails to follow the procedures it promised, that can be a breach of contract.

Courts generally require a showing that the school acted arbitrarily, capriciously, or in bad faith, and defer to genuine academic judgments. Relief often centers on reinstatement, a new hearing, or correction of the record.

What I can help with

• Identifying the specific promises in the handbook, catalog, and policies
• Documenting where the school failed to follow them
• Framing breach-of-contract and good-faith claims
• Pursuing reinstatement, a new hearing, or record correction
• Litigating in the appropriate court where warranted
• Coordinating contract claims with any statutory or constitutional claims

This is general information about the matters I handle and the law that applies to them. It is not legal advice about your situation, and the law in this area can change. For advice on your matter, start with the Full Read + Game Plan — your entire file read, straight answers, and exactly what to do next, in what order.