Disciplinary panels

The table below provides some key information you might want to know about the different disciplinary pathways:

Fast track is designed to allow quick and fair outcomes to straight-forward and less serious behavioural issues, whether these be general misconduct or academic malpractice.  It is one person, normally through a documentary review, who says what the likely finding is and who makes a recommendation for a penalty from a limited penalty range.  Students will be written to and given 5 working days to decide whether they choose to accept the outcome or not.  If they do not accept the outcome, then the case will be referred to a SDP to consider the case afresh.

Fast-track is a bit like a speeding ticket.  Somebody gets the chance to accept the fine and points, but if they decide not to, the case goes to another body to make the final decision.

A SDP is a small panel that handles less-serious cases.  The people on the panel will be independent of the person that first raised the case.  For example, the panel should not have an examiner who detected potential academic malpractice.  The student is invited to the panel on 5 working days notice; they can submit an advance statement, request reasonable adjustments and bring a Supporter.  Hearings will usually be online.

At the hearing, the student will receive an overview of a case, an opportunity to make a statement and they'll likely be asked questions by the panel.  The panel is tasked with make a finding i.e. on the balance of probabilities (how likely) has somebody committed misconduct.  If the finding is that there has been misconduct, the panel will then look to apply an appropriate penalty / penalties.

More information on SDPs can be found in the Procedure for Summary Disciplinary Panels.

A UDP is a large panel that handles serious cases, such as repeat misconduct.  The people on the panel will be independent of the person that first raised the case. The student is invited to the panel on 10 working days notice; they can submit an advance statement, request reasonable adjustments and bring a Supporter.  Hearings will usually be online.

At the hearing, the student will receive an overview of a case, an opportunity to make a statement and they'll likely be asked questions by the panel.  The panel is tasked with make a finding i.e. on the balance of probabilities (how likely) has somebody committed misconduct.  If the finding is that there has been misconduct, the panel will then look to apply an appropriate penalty / penalties.  At a UDP a student can be at risk of a high-level penalty, such as exclusion (temporary removal from studies) or expulsion (ending a student's studies).

More information on UDPs can be found in the Procedure for the University Disciplinary Panel.

Where a student receives a negative finding or a penalty from an SDP or UDP, they have 10 working days to make an appeal to the Division of Student and Academic Services.  The appeal must be made on one or more of three grounds: procedural irregularity, evidence that could not be submitted before or disproportionate outcome.

The appeal will be looked at on a documentary basis.  It is only appeals from a UDP that may go to an Appeal Board.  The outcome to the appeal will be sent to the student in writing.  Appeal outcomes may be to keep the original outcome the same, to vary the penalty or to refer the case back to an earlier stage of the process e.g. a new disciplinary panel.  

After the appeal stage, students will usually receive a Completion of Procedures letter which allows them to make a complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) within 12 months of the letter.