Our client, Mr. F, a student at King’s College London who required advice from education law solicitors in London, faced expulsion after allegations of academic misconduct in two online examinations. This case, handled by Aldwych Legal, concerns Education Law and the fairness of university disciplinary proceedings.
What Happened
- During online examinations held at the ExCeL Centre in London, Mr. F used a mobile hotspot to stabilise a poor connection, causing his device to switch between networks.
- The university recorded multiple IP addresses and construed this as evidence of third party interference, leading to an Academic Misconduct Committee decision to expel him.
Legal Issues
- Whether the hearing and decision complied with the Education Policy and Procedures of the university and the requirements of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
- Whether the burden of proof on the balance of probabilities was met, given the technical explanation and the unreliability of the exam venue’s Wi-Fi.
- Potential breaches of the Equality Act 2010 in failing to consider mitigating health conditions and adjustments.
Our Approach
We prepared a detailed appeal, supported by technical experts on IP addressing and network behaviour, and challenged speculative interpretations of the data. We engaged in pre-action correspondence under CPR and the Pre-Action Protocol, and provided a comprehensive explanation of Mr. F’s circumstances and the venue issues.
Outcome
The Academic Misconduct Committee conceded that the fluctuating IPs were a technical anomaly, not evidence of cheating. The expulsion was overturned, and Mr. F was offered a resit under fair conditions.
Result / Why It Matters
This outcome demonstrates Aldwych Legal‘s commitment to rigorous factual and legal analysis to safeguard students’ rights and ensure university processes meet fairness standards.
