Mature student Janet Finch took the University of Northumbria to court this week in pursuit of Pounds 20,000 damages for degree failure. Ms Finch alleges that the university did not offer sufficient help or recognise that she was having problems with a one-year course to upgrade her HND in business and finance to a degree. The university denies the charge. Carlisle County Court recorder Norman Wright was to deliver his judgment later this week.