Although I can see your point I would say in response..
1. As said by others it may have been wise to look in to this before undertaking the course. I imagine your company will probably use this to recover any investment they have made. Again not sure how valid this may be, but if you put yourself in their position I am sure this is what most people will do.
As companies become more stringent with costs, I would expect them to be quite thorough with this. Although I do not know the nature of your companies business so could not say if this will be the case.
2. I understand your point totally.
3. As said in point one, they will probably try argue that if they are giving you the required amount of study time then they are sufficient in their roll. Again open to interpretation.. I imagine they, like yourself, expected a return from their investment and are entitled to reclaim any cost.
I hope that provides you with a little bit more advice like you were originally looking for and in doing so provides you with the thoughs of a neutral person. Should this go any further then I imagine a judge will look along the same lines. This of course depends on further evidence and the angle you both undertake. I just imagine (depending on their outlay) that this will not be as straight forward as most would imagine.
Good luck either way
