Disclosure of Prior Student Academic Misconduct in Admission to Legal Practice: Lessons for Universities and Courts

Abstract

Universities are faced with an apparent increase in incidents of student academic misconduct, in particular allegations of plagiarism. An adverse finding may have significant consequences for a student in their academic progression. A plagiarism incident, with or without an adverse finding, may have longer term consequences for some students. These include students seeking admission to legal practice. This paper examines a number of key cases illustrating how the admitting courts are dealing with such applicants and the recent changes to admission disclosure rules implemented to meet the problem. The paper discusses the implications of these developments for the higher education community and the courts.