Threatened college rejects debt claims

A PRIVATE law college embroiled in a court bid to have it wound up claims it has settled its debts.

An application by Prudential Property Services to have London-based Regent School of Law compulsorily wound up was adjourned at the High Court last week.

Counsel for Prudential applied for the adjournment after claiming the tutorial college, which has 300 pupils on its books, had made an offer to settle a debt of £10,056.

In a petition presented to the court in July, the property company claimed the school had not responded to demands for the debts to be paid and was insolvent.

The school was unrepresented on Wednesday, but principal Dr Simon Salleh said he owed the company £3,000 and had paid the debt a few day ago.

He said the money was a service charge relating to a lease at the school's former Maida Vale home.

"The matter is settled, it was a bit worrying because we didn't know anything about it until very late on. It's like taking a sledge hammer to crack a nut," he said.

The college offers extra tuition for law degree and vocational course students.

Lovell White Durrant, which is acting for Prudential, declined to comment on the principal's claims.