Faculty of Law

Current Students

Plagiarism Examples

Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct and is a very serious offence. Plagiarism is defined as taking someone's words or ideas and presenting them as if they were your own. Law students have been convicted of plagiarism offences for:

  • Including unattributed transcripts of lectures in an assignment;
  • Discussing a take-home examination with another student;
  • Reproducing text verbatim without inverted commas or indenting (even though referenced!);
  • Reproducing subject materials without attributon.

Such offences are taken very seriously. Students accused of plagiarism are subject to a formal procedure and if found guilty can incure penalties including:

(i) written reprimand;
(ii) fine not exceeding 1 penalty unit;
(iii) suspension for a period not exceeding 1 week from attending or using Faculty facilities;
(iv) reduction or cancellation of the mark for the assessment in relation to which the misconduct occurred;
(v) requirement to do further work or repeat work within the subject in relation to which misconduct occurred;
(vi) imposition of a maximum grade the student may gain for the course in relation to which the misconduct occurred;
(vii) the return of a mark and grade of zero Fail for the subject(s) in relation to which the misconduct occurred;
(viii) refusal or cancellation of credit for the subject in relation to which the misconduct occurred;
(ix) restitution not exceeding 2 penalty units.

Students should also be familiar with the University's Discipline Regulations.

Students should be aware that the Queensland admission authorities now require applicants to disclose any convictions for academic misconduct when seeking admission as a legal practitioner.

Policy Number: LAW006
Policy Name: Plagiarism
Contact Person: IT & Administration Manager
Date of Approval: 1998
Date Last Amended: 14 April 2007
Date of Next Review: Sept 2008