Academic Misconduct Solicitors

Being accused of academic misconduct can be scary, confusing and very upsetting. It has the potential to bring your education to an end, damage your reputation and seriously harm your future career prospects.

Please note: we are only able to take on cases on a privately paying basis. If you are unable to privately fund your case or you looking for general guidance on what actions you can take to protect you or your child’s education rights, you can refer to the Education section of the Citizens Advice website.

At IBB Law, our education law solicitors have operated in the academic sector for many years and we know that academic misconduct can be easily enacted by accident.

Our comprehensive experience in academic and education law allows us to offer specialist expertise when it comes to overturning allegations, avoiding penalties or seeking reduced sanctions that allow you to continue with your education.

Our team has represented a number of students at panel hearings to ensure that their cases were fully and fairly heard when it matters most. This assistance also extends to helping formulate an appeal to the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and challenge the outcome of academic tribunals.

We have helped countless students to successfully challenge accusations of academic misconduct in relation to issues including:

• Plagiarism
• Academic Dishonesty. resubmitting previously assessed work or taking steps to subvert plagiarism software
• Colluding with other students. to produce work or subvert the plagiarism process
• Falsifying Information. creating distorted or fictitious data
• Impersonation of another student. to undertake a test or submit work
• Sabotage. destroying or defacing of academic materials

We offer a fixed fee initial consultation with our team to discuss your needs and see how we can help. We then charge for our services on a fixed fee basis, providing certainty over the costs involved.

Looking for quick answers about academic misconduct? Take a look at our academic misconduct FAQs.

Our expertise with appealing academic misconduct allegations

We have experience handling academic misconduct internally at universities, colleges and other higher education institutions, as well as where matters must be escalated to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

No matter how difficult your situation might seem, we have the skills, experience and specialist knowledge to give you the best chance of securing the outcome you need.

Our education law fees

We typically work on a fixed fee basis for the initial consultation and a cost estimate basis for any work you ask us to undertake after the initial consultation. The cost of our legal advice is agreed with you in advance. This ensures complete certainty and transparency over the cost of securing our help with your educational law issue.

The exact cost of our services will depend on the nature of your problem, including the amount of time and level of expertise needed to support you effectively. We will be happy to discuss this with you when you contact our team.

We offer a brief free initial phone consultation with our experts. Thereafter, we offer an initial consultation for a fixed fee to analyse your case and to advise on how we can help. This is your chance to ask any questions and find out your options for defending yourself against allegations of academic misconduct. We can also discuss the costs involved in more detail at this time.

For more information on our education law pricing, please get in touch.

Common questions about academic misconduct

What is Academic Misconduct?

Defined as an action that produces an unfair advantage to yourself or others in an educational setting, academic misconduct can have a significant negative impact on your professional and academic career. In practical terms, this most commonly falls in the realm of ‘cheating’ on an exam or plagiarising existing material or work from other students.

While the term is increasingly difficult to define in the digital age, it commonly includes:

Academic Dishonesty: Using any means available to achieve an advantage. This commonly falls into the realm of digital approaches such as resubmitting previously assessed work or taking steps to subvert plagiarism software.

Collusion: Working together with other students to produce a piece of work or subvert a failsafe step in the plagiarism process.

Falsifying Information: The presentation of distorted or fictitious data such as interviews, surveys, citations, results etc.

Impersonation: Assuming the identity of another individual to undertake a test, submit work or gain access to insights that you did not produce.

Sabotage: This involves the destruction or defacing of academic materials, interfering with the research of fellow students or otherwise obstructing the faculty in the completion of their assessment tasks.

What are the penalties for academic misconduct?

All academic institutions will have different definitions and penalties for addressing academic misconduct. However, it is very often heavily penalised – often to the fullest extent available to the board – even if a mistake was genuine and unintentional.

Facing an accusation of academic misconduct could see your grade lowered, penalties levied against you, or have your qualification stripped away from you.

Other potential consequences for academic misconduct include:

• Being expelled from your institution or course
• The destruction or elimination of your work under the auspices of preventing the spread of false data
• Significant ‘soft’ penalties such as blackballing or being unable to seek a reference
• Legal action, fines and penalties

Is academic plagiarism a crime?

While plagiarism is not formally classed as a criminal or civil offence, if the act infringes on an individual’s copyright or an established trademark, you may find yourself subject to a lawsuit or civil action.

What happens if you are accused of academic misconduct?

While disciplinary methods vary, if you are accused of plagiarism you will be summoned to explain your actions to your academic supervisor and (depending on the perceived degree of severity) a board. Failing to ‘pass’ this review or represent yourself accurately can result in significant penalties.

Plagiarism could be noted on any references you receive from the establishment, and even receiving a significantly diminished or ‘zero’ grade for the work. This can then spiral upward and result in a failure for your module, course, and a significant impact to the value of your final grade.

What do others say about IBB’s Education Law Solicitors?

Here are a few comments of what others have said about our Education Law legal team.

“…………. was very quick and efficient. My matter was dealt and over with quite quickly with a happy outcome.’

“We can’t thank you enough for your expert assistance throughout this case and we particularly appreciated the clarity and kindness you showed in every communication. The matter could have escalated very unpleasantly except for your intervention, for which we are extremely grateful.”

“From the outset they listened and guided me through my options. I have been struck by the consistency in their process, their professionalism and empathy. Their strengths have definitely been in their willingness to collaborate with other legal professionals in order to give you the best possible chance of success. They don’t shy away from meeting online and so I really feel understood and cared for.”

“Very personal service where nothing is too much trouble. Prompt in all responses and no stone left unturned to advise thoroughly ensuring the best decision is made. Impressive high standards in all aspects of service. I can’t rate them highly enough.”

“I believe IBB Law Education Team have shown themselves to be true to their word. They have collaborated with me in terms of what to expect at each stage of my case. Their practice is transparent and open, also they are clear and concise regarding the fees.”

“The experience was excellent. I was able to sort out my issue in less than a month with the help of the team at IBB Law. Right from the beginning of contacting the firm, I was provided all the support and communication with the team was also very smooth. I am more than happy to have contacted the firm. I would definitely recommend IBB Law to anyone that is going through a similar situation as mine.”

IBB offer unrivalled skill and expertise when it comes to education law matters. They are very well-placed to represent students in all types of public and private law claims against universities. They also do a lot of work in the schools sector, in particular when representing parents in claims against independent schools. They are knowledgeable in the main areas of law that cut across these and associated areas of the education sector. Given their level of experience in these areas, they also have a very good practical understanding of the education sector and are geared towards achieving good practical outcomes for their clients.’

“The gold standard team for higher education work. IBB is one of my main instructing solicitors and I always feel completely confident that they will do an excellent job for the client. The cases are meticulously prepared, and they are very client-focused and practical in their approach.”

“Very empathetic and attentive to each individual clients needs. I felt heard and understood for the first time by professionals. The team was easy and quick to communicate with and the whole process made me feel at ease”

“IBB offer an excellent education law service, with particular expertise in higher education matters.’

“Celia Whittuck is a star individual. She has gained considerable experience in education law and has excellent strategic litigation strategy, particularly for civil claims against independent schools and universities, and internal complaints and appeal processes in relation to these institutions. She puts the clients outcome at the heard (sic) of what she does, and has a track record for achieving good results.’

“Growing education law team focusing on higher education law matters.”

‘Celia Whittuck is a phenomenally dedicated solicitor and a real delight to work with.’

‘Focused and determined education team.’

‘Celia Whittuck has growing reputation in the area.’

“Celia Whittuck has an excellent breadth of knowledge and is very responsive.”

“She is amazing.”

“Celia has taken a particular interest in ensuring that the appropriate educational outcomes are achieved. Her commitment has been unwavering.”

“Celia Whittuck has been helpful, understanding, respectful and responsive.”

“Celia Whittuck has an excellent breadth of knowledge and is very responsive.”

The Education Law Team at IBB is ranked by Legal 500. Legal 500 describe themselves as the leading guide to law firms and solicitors across the UK.

Celia Whittuck at IBB is ranked by Chambers and Partners. Chambers and Partners say of themselves, “Our rankings are the most thoroughly researched and independent on the market. Each one is assessed by our dedicated team of experienced researchers using our unrivalled research methodology, which includes tens of thousands of one-to-one interviews every year.

“If you are buying legal services in the UK and need reliable recommendations on the best law firms and solicitors, our rankings, editorial and analysis will provide you with the information you need to make the most well-informed decision when it matters.”

Get clear legal advice and support to defend against allegations of academic misconduct

If you would like to know more about how we can help you with your education law enquiry, please contact our education law senior legal administrator, Rachael, on 01895 207230 or by email on educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk