Appeal an Outcome
- SSA Advocacy
- May 2
- 4 min read
Updated: May 14
If you have received the outcome of an academic misconduct and wish to appeal the decision, our experienced SSA Advocacy Service (SAS) team is here to support you throughout the process.
What is an appeal of an outcome?
An appeal is the process through which you can request a review of a decision or outcome made by the Academic Integrity Committee (AIC), the Academic Integrity Officer (AIO) or University Secretary. If you disagree with the outcome, you may appeal to the outcome.
Once a decision has been made, you will receive an outcome letter. This letter will include the reasons for the decision and outline your right to appeal the outcome.
Grounds for Appealing an Outcome
You may appeal the outcome of an academic integrity breach allegation on one or more of the following grounds:
A misapplication of process: This means that the correct procedure was not followed, and you were materially disadvantaged.
The decision was manifestly wrong: This means that the outcome was obviously incorrect based on the facts and evidence.
The outcome was excessive or inappropriate: The penalty or outcome given was too severe for the breach or did not align with the available outcomes in the relevant guidelines.
New evidence: If new evidence, which was not available during the original decision-making process, has come to light and could potentially affect the outcome of the decision.
Untimely review decision: the review officer failed to make a decision within 21 working days after submission.
SSA Advocates can help you understand which of these grounds may apply to your case.
I admitted to the breach. Can I still Appeal the Outcome?
It depends on the circumstances:
If you admitted to the breach and accepted the standard outcome without requesting a review, you are not eligible to appeal.
If you admitted to the breach but attended a review meeting, you may appeal the outcome imposed by the review meeting.
Please contact SSA Advocates for personalised advice if you find yourself in this situation.
How do I prepare for an Appeal?
If you believe that you have grounds to appeal and wish to submit an appeal, follow these steps:
Review the documents: Carefully read through the Allegation Letter, the Evidence File, and the Outcome Letter that you received from the Faculty Academic Integrity Committee.
Prepare your appeal statement: This statement should outline the grounds for your appeal and explain why you believe the outcome was incorrect.
Collect supporting documents: Provide relevant documentation that can support your appeal, such as medical certificates, letters of support, or evidence of your academic integrity. Note: All documents must be in English. If documents are in another language, a certified translation must be provided.
SSA Advocates can help guide you through the appeal preparation process, review your draft appeal statement, and provide advice on what to include in your submission.
Is there a template for the Appeal Statement?
Yes, SSA Advocates can provide you with a template to help you draft your appeal statement. If you need assistance with writing the statement or identifying relevant supporting documents, we recommend booking an appointment with SSA Advocates.
When do I have to submit my Appeal?
You must submit your appeal within 21 working days from the date of the outcome letter you received from the relevant authority.
What happens after I submit my Appeal?
Once your appeal is submitted, the University Secretary will review your submission to determine if it meets the grounds for appeal. The University Secretary may decide to:
Disallow the application in written form.
Refer the issue back to the head of academic unit or corporate unit in which the decision was made for reconsideration by the appropriate person or body.
Allow the application and refer it for consideration by an appeals panel.
If the University Secretary decides to hold an appeal hearing, you will need to present your case, and the Appeals Panel may ask you questions. You can also ask questions or clarify aspects of the process. If you would like an SSA Advocate to attend the hearing with you, please let us know as soon as possible.
What happens at the Appeals Hearing?
The hearing will be attended by the appeals panel, who will review the evidence and listen to your appeal. If you have a support person (such as an SSA Advocate), they can accompany you to the hearing and may be allowed to speak.
What are the possible outcomes of the Appeal?
The panel can decide to:
Dismiss the appeal and uphold the original decision.
Uphold the appeal, either in full or in part, and make a new finding or impose a different outcome.
Where can I get further assistance?
SSA Advocates can:
Provide guidance on the grounds for your appeal.
Review your appeal statement and supporting documents.
Attend the appeal hearing with you.
Offer ongoing support throughout the appeals process.
If you would like assistance with preparing for your appeal, contact SSA Advocacy Service (SAS) as soon as possible. We are here to help you navigate this process and ensure your appeal is as strong as possible.