Can a private school selectivly enforce payment policies?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can a private school selectivly enforce payment policies?

We are behind on our tuition. The school has a policy that families cannot enroll students if they owe tuition for previous years. There are at least 7 other families who are delinquent, and some owe more than we do. The school is not and has not enforced this policy on any family other than ours for next school year.

Asked on August 9, 2016 under Business Law, California

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 7 years ago | Contributor

Yes, they can. The law does not require a private business to fairly, consistently, or even-handedly enforce payment policies: a business can deny services to some people with unpaid balances or dun them for payment while ignoring other deliquent customers. The only exception would be IF you can show that they are doing this due to racial or religious reasons--i.e. you are being discriminated against on these grounds--you may have a discrimination claim, but be warned: private schools, unlike public schools or public places of accommodation (like restaurants) are not necessarily always restricted by the anti-discrimination laws. Depending on the circumstances (how they advertise, their mission, whether they accept any public funding or support, etc.), they may not be liable even if they did discriminate. If you think discrimination is going on, speak to a civil rights or education lawyer to discuss your rights.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption