Standing up for students when a university gets it wrong.
Tanya provides Higher Education Law and Dispute Resolution — legal advice for students facing academic appeals, OIA complaints, and disciplinary action. She has represented hundreds of students to help them achieve their academic goals.
Advocacy built on knowing both sides of the table
"The first successful legal challenge against the OIA in many years."
In 2023, Tanya settled a Judicial Review claim against the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) at permission stage — forcing it to undertake a fresh review, which resulted in it reversing its earlier decision, a result the OIA's own annual reports confirm was rare.
After 12 years practising family law, Tanya worked as a Student Adviser at a Russell Group university, gaining valuable insight into how institutions manage student issues. She now works in private practice, advising students on a wide range of academic and university-related matters.
- Education
- Cardiff Law School
- Career
- Setfords Law Ltd · Spencer West LLP
Areas of practice
- Academic Appeals
- Complaints to the OIA
- Judicial Review
- Academic Misconduct & Disciplinary
- Fitness to Practise
- Complaints Against the University
- General Complaints
- Appeals Against Termination
Selected outcomes
Judicial Review v. the OIA
Ref JR/OIA/2023 — UpheldSettled at permission stage, forcing the OIA to revoke its original decision and carry out a fresh review of the case.
The OIA's own annual reports confirm this was the first successful legal challenge against the organisation in many years.
Decision revoked — student's appeal upheld & reinstatedDisciplinary Suspension Overturned
Ref DIS/2023This case involved a disciplinary suspension. Substantial mitigation — arising from the university's breaches of its Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) obligations — meant those affected were reinstated without penalty.
Reinstated without penaltyReinstatements across disciplines
Ref DIS/MULTISecured reinstatement for medical, nursing and teaching students terminated unlawfully in connection with their disabilities.
Multiple reinstatements securedWhat clients say
"We feel extraordinarily fortunate to have found Tanya and simply wish we had found her sooner. She steered our incredibly complex case via the OIA to a successful Stage 1 conclusion."
CHK · 2025"I could actually write a book about how amazing Tanya is. I felt listened to, and she gave me the confidence that I was in good hands."
LD · Nov 2023"Thanks are not enough for Tanya. She is the anchor of my PhD journey."
Mrs Brighter Moon · Feb 2023"Tanya introduced arguments that made all the difference — professionalism throughout."
James Goodwin · Sept 2022"She guided me through academic appeals and always showed up, even in emergencies."
YH · June 2022"She doesn't just fight for her clients — she educates them, and gives them the best possible chance of a successful outcome."
Client · 2025Pick a time that works for you
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