Solicitor advocate to explore judicial review into Dundee school closure

Solicitor advocate Patrick McGuire (pictured) has offered to support the Save Menzieshill High campaign group by gathering evidence for a judicial review against Dundee City Council.

The lawyer said that there were “significant concerns” about the local authority’s consultation process and that the proposed closure was illogical.

The move could see the extended battle to save the secondary school end in court.

Councillors will vote in June on whether to proceed with plans to close the school.

A campaign organisation geared towards saving the school was launched in February after a public meeting organised by the local branch of the Scottish Socialist Party.

The campaign has since won support from candidates standing in the General Election, including Labour candidate Michael Marra, who made his opposition to the school closure a top election pledge.

McGuire, who works for Thompsons Solicitors in Edinburgh and is active with the Scottish Labour Lawyers Group, told The Courier: “We are looking at a judicial review.

“Based on the information I have seen there are clearly aspects that have raised significant concerns in terms of due process and consultation, particularly with parents.

“I can see that have meat to their concerns and so am looking at launching a judicial review against Dundee City Council.

“It is early days at the moment, but the next step will be to sit down with more families to gather further evidence. This is a hugely important issue and we have to ensure that there was due process.

“All the schools surrounding Menzieshill High are full and the population of the area is only going to rise in the coming years.”

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