Policies relating to
Various Student Matters
These policies are to be read in conjunction with and subject to the requirements of the USP regulations.
1. A student who considers that their performance during an examination has been adversely affected by factors such as illness or the occurrence of other abnormal circumstances may make application to the course coordinator for special consideration in the marking of the examination. The application must be made in writing on the set School of Law form and must be supported by appropriate documentary evidence such as a medical certificate from a qualified medical practitioner. It is the obligation of the student to support a case for special consideration and provide evidence that the medical condition or otherwise related specifically to the time of the examination. The application will not be considered unless it is received in the School of Law Office within seven (7) days after the date of the examination. The course coordinator will consider the application and decide whether to give special consideration or not. The course coordinator will refer any case where special consideration is refused to the Head of School who may confirm or overrule the decision of the coordinator.
Special Examinations
2.1 A student who considers that their performance during an examination has been adversely affected by factors such as illness or the occurrence of other abnormal circumstances may make application to the course coordinator for a special examination. The application must be made in writing on the set School of Law form and must be supported by appropriate documentary evidence such as a medical certificate from a qualified medical practitioner. It is the obligation of the student to support a case for special examination and provide evidence that the medical condition or otherwise related specifically to the time of the examination. The application will not be considered unless it is received in the School of Law Office within seven (7) days after the date of the examination.
2.2 The application for a special examination will be considered by a Committee of members of the Department of Law established by the Head of School which will notify both the applicant and the Board of Studies of the School of the results of the application. The Committee shall decide whether to grant the special examination or not and where a special examination is awarded will determine the time at which the special examination is to be awarded.
2.3 A special examination will not be awarded in any case where the student has already achieved a grade of C or better.
2.4 The applicant may appeal to the Head of School against the decision of the Committee to refuse an application for special examination provided that such application is lodged within seven days of being notified of the decision of the Committee
Progression
3.1 Where a student has completed but failed a compulsory unit for the Bachelor of Laws degree that student will normally be permitted to progress to the next semester of study. However, in no such case will a student be permitted to undertake more than the normal load of four semester units per semester.
3.2 Nothing in the foregoing rule will permit a student to undertake a subsequent course for which the passing of the preceding course is prescribed as an absolute prerequisite to the undertaking of the subsequent course.
3.3 A student who has failed a compulsory course must enrol in and pass that course the next time it is offered by the School of Law. Failure to do so may result in the student being excluded from the Bachelor of Laws programme.
Late Submission of Assignments
4. Any student who fails to submit their assessment on the specified due date will be subject to a penalty. Late assessments will be marked but for each day that it is late, 5% of the mark awarded will be deducted. Please note that any assignments submitted on or after the 8th day following the submission date will not be marked.
Cross Credits
5.1 Applications for cross credit towards the LLB must be submitted in writing to the Head of School accompanied by documentary evidence as to the courses undertaken and passed and the content of those courses. The Head of School makes recommendations regarding granting or refusal of cross credits to the Academic Office.
5.2 Subject to the following, cross credits will not be granted for courses undertaken at sub-degree level.
5. 3 Certificates and Diploma of Law from USP - For the purposes of the revised LLB rules in operation from the beginning of 1997, persons who have completed the Diploma in Law be granted 2 unspecified optional law courses at 300/400 level and that persons who have completed the Certificate in Law be granted 1 unspecified optional law course at 300/400 level.
5.4 The general principle in relation to the grant of cross credits is that the relevant courses must have significantly comparable content to courses offer by the School of Law. Credit will not normally be recommended as credit for compulsory LLB courses for courses passed which were not offered by another Law School of Law Faculty as part of an LLB programme or equivalent.
Anti-Discrimination Policy
6. The School of Law is committed to the principles of equality of opportunity and mutual respect for and between all students, staff and others associated with their programmes. In accordance with its policy the School shall actively promote a supportive learning environment that advances the principles of equality. Behaviour that interferes with a learning environment that fosters the principles of equality will not be tolerated. In particular, language and behaviour that discriminates against, or is offensive to, or encourages, a person or group on the grounds of nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion or belief, age, disability, physical appearance or any other condition or attribute is unacceptable as being in breach of this policy. The procedures used to deal with sexual harassment complaints will also apply to any breach of this policy. Such breaches may result in disciplinary action, including requirement of formal apology, suspension or expulsion from the University. The advice of the Head of Department should be sought on formal procedures for complaint.