The Ethics Committee is a formal committee of the Executive Board of The University of Law. It supports the University in upholding high ethical standards across all aspects of its work and provides a forum for institution-wide ethical reflection and advice.
Purpose
The Committee considers ethical issues of importance to the University as a whole and helps inform senior decision-making. Its role is to promote ethical awareness, integrity, and good judgment in the University’s activities, policies, and relationships.
It is important to note that the Committee is not a research ethics committee and therefore does not review individual research projects or act as a complaints body. Both of these activities are covered through other, published, University procedures.
What the Committee Considers
The Ethics Committee may consider ethical issues arising from, for example:
- the University’s strategy and major decisions;
- partnerships, franchising, validation, and third-party relationships;
- professional values relevant to legal and professional education;
- equality, diversity, inclusion, fairness, and institutional culture;
- freedom of expression, academic standards, and professional integrity;
- commercial activities, sponsorship, procurement, and reputational risk;
- emerging ethical issues affecting higher education and the professions.
It should be noted that in relation to the above, the Committee does not ‘review’ activity or make judgements on previous decisions. It is a body that can be drawn on, within the University, to support and advise on ethical matters, and the Committee also undertakes horizon-scanning for new or developing ethical challenges relevant to the University.
Governance and Reporting
- The Ethics Committee reports to the Executive Board.
- It meets on a monthly basis.
- The Committee produces an Annual Report, which is submitted to the Executive Board and published on this webpage.
Membership
The Committee’s membership includes academic and business professional staff, and is designed to ensure a range of perspectives and informed ethical discussion.
Raising Ethical Issues
The University welcomes the raising of ethical issues of institutional relevance. Staff, students, and external stakeholders may raise ethical matters via the contact form. It should be noted that the Committee does not investigate individual complaints, but may consider broader ethical themes and provide advice on appropriate action or referral.
Transparency
The Ethics Committee is committed to transparency. Information published on this page includes (or will include) the Committee’s Terms of Reference, the list of the Committee’s members, the meeting schedule currently in place, previously published Annual Reports of the Committee.