Education Law Case Study: Appeal Against a University Examining Board’s Decision

Who did we act for?

IBB Law acted on behalf of Lisa, a student at a London University studying Management and Accounting.

What was the case about?

Lisa had requested a review of an Examining Board’s decision. This was because she had failed the same module twice and had not given valid extenuating circumstances to explain her failure.

The Examining Board held Lisa had failed a mandatory module and as the consequence, did not pass with sufficient grades to progress into the next academic year of studies.  The University discontinued her registration.  IBB Law acted on her behalf to submit a Review of the academic decision.

It became apparent to us that Lisa may have suffered from anxiety at the time of her last re-sit and that the Examining Board had failed to properly consider all of the extenuating circumstances.

Lisa instructed IBB to submit a review of the Examining Board’s decision.

What did IBB do to help?  

IBB Law commissioned medical evidence from an independent medical expert, familiar with court requirements, and prepared submissions to support the review to the Examining Body decision.  The Request for the Review of the academic decision was successful.  The University afforded Lisa a further attempt at the mandatory module and the opportunity to progress into Year 3 of her Management and Accounting degree.