Fitness to Practise

Testimonials

Please browse the testimonials below to see what other students have said about the outstanding legal advice and assistance we have given to them in connection with their academic appeal cases regarding Fitness to Study

Fitness to practise appeals - Professionalism called into question - Breach of conditions - Disciplinary - Unfit to practise - Mitigating Circumstances - Extenuating Circumstances - Procedural Irregularities - Professionalism called into question - Suitability called into question

Year 5 Dentistry student faced exclusion following academic misconduct investigation and Fitness to Practise. RT Coopers were instructed from the initial allegations. RT Coopers drafted the appeal and worked tirelessly with the student to navigate an extremely complex case. Partial decision successfully challenging and overturning original exclusion decision after appealing the decision.

'I first approached Dr Cooper during what was undoubtedly one of the most difficult and frightening periods of my life. I was facing exclusion from university (dentistry) following an academic misconduct investigation, with years of hard work and my entire future career suddenly at risk. I was completely overwhelmed, struggling immensely with my mental health, and genuinely felt as though everything I had worked so hard for was slipping away from me. From the very beginning, Dr Cooper was so much more than just a solicitor. She took the time to listen to me, understand my circumstances and, most importantly, believe in me at a time when I was struggling to believe in myself. She never made me feel judged or as though I was simply another case. She saw me as a person who was going through an incredibly difficult time and genuinely wanted to help. One thing I will forever be grateful for is how much she helped me recognise and address my mental health difficulties. She encouraged me to seek specialist psychiatric support, which ultimately led to me receiving a diagnosis and finally being able to understand difficulties I had been experiencing for some time. This was something I needed not just for my case, but for myself, my wellbeing and my future. I genuinely don’t know whether I would have taken those steps when I did without her encouragement and guidance.

The amount of time, effort and dedication she has put into my case has been incredible. She has worked tirelessly through complicated academic misconduct and Fitness to Practise matters, carefully considering every detail, helping me gather evidence, preparing and making sure that my circumstances and my voice were properly heard. She has always been honest with me about the challenges, whilst also doing everything she can to fight for a fair outcome. With her help, I was able to successfully challenge and overturn my original exclusion decision after appealing the decision. This is something which at one point felt almost impossible. I cannot describe the relief of being given another opportunity after believing that everything was over. Although there are still ongoing matters to resolve which I have seeked Dr Coopers assistance again, getting to this point has meant more to me than I can explain, and I know how much of Dr Cooper’s hard work has gone into that. What really sets Dr Cooper apart, however, is the person she is outside of her professional role. There have been countless occasions where she has called or messaged simply to check how I am doing, ask about my wellbeing, offer reassurance or make sure I am coping with everything.

She has been a solicitor, but also a mentor, a source of strength and, in many ways, a friend throughout this entire experience. Her compassion, patience and kindness have never gone unnoticed. Even when I have been anxious, upset or uncertain, she has continued to show me understanding and has never made me feel like a burden. I have been able to reach Dr Cooper in a matter for seconds when I’ve needed her advise or reassurance. I think what I appreciate most is that she has never treated this as simply a legal matter with an outcome to achieve. She has understood that behind all the paperwork, meetings and decisions is a young person’s life, years of dedication, hopes for the future and a family affected by it all. She has fought not only for my case, but for me as a person'. T

Year 3 medical student fitness to practise was held impaired by a Fitness to Practise Panel (‘FtP Panel’). Following the FtP decision, the student was withdrawn from medical school. RT Coopers were instructed after the withdrawal from the programme to prepare an appeal and represent the student before the appeals panel. RT Coopers drafted the appeal, prepared the student for the hearing and represented the student at the appeals hearing. The appeal was drafted on grounds of Extenuating Circumstances and Procedural Irregularity. The appeal was upheld. The student has progressed to Year 4 of medical school. First Published on Google Business Profile

'Dr Cooper was the deciding factor for me in my Medical School Appeal. From our first call she was calm, clear and focused on what mattered. She took on a messy and stressful situation and broke it into a simple, step by step plan I could actually follow. How Dr Cooper communicates and worked with me was second to none. I was kept in the loop, and she never left me guessing about timelines or next steps. In our discussions she was always prepared and brought structure to what we were talking about. She explained complex points about my case in plain English with no fluff or jargon. Furthermore, her written work was so meticulous and persuasive.

What stood out most was her combination of empathy and straight talking professionalism. She listened to me properly, challenged me when it was needed. Even when I felt overwhelmed, she helped me reset, prioritise and move forward with confidence. Throughout my whole case I genuinely felt like I was in safe hands. Dr Cooper did more than just help with my case itself. She showed me how to navigate the system, how to manage myself under pressure and how to build habits and boundaries so I don’t fall into the same pitfalls again. It felt like real guidance for the bigger picture and not just a short term fix. If you want someone who is thorough, responsive and genuinely invested in helping you come out stronger on the other side, I would recommend Dr Cooper without hesitation.' Brad

PARENTS OF BRAD

'Dr Cooper is one of her kind. I would highly recommend her as your go-to lawyer when you have an academic appeal or fitness to practice situation. My son was expelled from medical school, and we contacted Dr. Cooper for help within a time limited situation. Dr. Cooper helped us all the way through a process that was so convoluted. Without her, that would have been the end of my son's training, but also, the sanction included not being allowed to attend any other medical school in the UK. So disproportionate!

Dr. Cooper guided my son and us as parents through a protracted process and was ever so compassionate and patient with us all. She has even provided some coaching and mentoring along the way for my son. She has remarkable attention to detail and worked immensely hard to gather and present my sons case to the school. There were long nights and weekends, and the professional support was over and beyond.

In the end, my son's appeal was successful (possibly twice, but that's another story) and will be shortly resuming his studies. Dr. Cooper and the RT Coopers team, you are the best, and thank you very much. Your assistance and support were invaluable, and we are very grateful.' gweja gweja

Third year medical student - Student drinking heavily during night out - No recollection of behaviour on the night - Student accused of breaches of university regulations as a result of the following acts against female students: threatening, intimidating, disorderly conduct, causing nuisance and harassment. Student also accused of breaches of the fitness to practise regulations as the student’s professionalism and suitability were called into question - There was a substantial risk of exclusion from medical school due to the gravity of the allegations and the overwhelming evidence against the student. RT Coopers advised student and assisted in drafting a statement for submission to the Disciplinary Committee - Student attended Disciplinary Committee hearing - The outcome was accepted by the student who was suspended from university for a period and at the end of suspension will complete final year of medical school. First published in Google My Business Reviews

'RTC is an excellent, professional team who validate and resolve difficult emotions and strategise to the nth degree to get the favourable outcome. I can't thank the team enough. I am so grateful for the rapport I have attained with the multidisciplinary team. I will be sure to pursue range of endeavours with them in future. Thank you RTC team. Thank you Rosanna'. MC

Second year medical referred to Fitness to Practise (FTP) Panel. The student was asked by University to initially attend an advisory meeting following serious concerns raised by fellow medical students – concerns were about events that allegedly happened during COVID 19, including sexual misconduct. Medical student had no recollection of these alleged events. The allegations were brought over one year later. RT Coopers advised and assisted student to ensure that the allegations did not go beyond the advisory stage as the student was due to appear before an FTP advisory panel constituted for stage 1 investigation. RT Coopers instructed to investigate and advise on how to structure statement and particularise grounds to defend allegations. Because of the work done by RT Coopers, the medical student did not have to go before a full FTP panel or get referred to a disciplinary panel as the case was dismissed at the advisory stage.

'Rosanna was very patient and understanding when I came to her to explain my situation. She spent a long time with me making sure I could relay the facts of the matter in a consistent and organised manner, and her notes allowed me to put together a decisive statement that explained my situation far more succinctly than I could ever have managed alone. I am very grateful to her for the time and care she spent on my case, it made all the difference!' MH

Final Year Student – False accusations made by University – Referred to Fitness to Practise – Withdrawn from studies as held unfit to practise – RT Coopers instructed after withdrawal and painstakingly worked with student to build a strong appeal – Dr Rosanna Cooper represented student at panel hearing – Appeal upheld. First published in Google my Business Review.

Dr Cooper has been the best!
I was wrongly accused by my university and was referred to a fitness to practice procedure. I was bullied and treated with bias and prejudice because I was already a medical doctor and had an accent. She fought my case and won it! She is very meticulous and hard working and has fought my case as if she was directly the victim of the injustice.
I’m glad I had her on my side, I don’t think I would have won with anyone else. KS

Final year (male) medical student on BM5 Medicine programme falsely accused of sexual misconduct against another medical student (female) after a party. The case was not properly investigated by the investigation officer and was referred to a Disciplinary Panel – it took 18 months for the case to be heard by a Disciplinary Panel - during this period RT Coopers worked tirelessly with the student to build a robust defence of the allegations – RT Coopers drafted a detailed statement and advised on every aspect of the case including the evidence that had to be adduced to give the student a chance of becoming a doctor - by the time the Disciplinary Hearing was held the programme had come to an end - despite the lack of evidence furnished by the accuser, a warning was given with thankfully no referral to fitness to practise – the student accepted the outcome and did not appeal in order to move on and start career - there could have been serious ramifications if the case was not handled with the care, sensitivity, dedication and eye for the minutest detail – Now medical doctor.. First Published in Google My Business Reviews

'Rosanna was the lawyer assigned to my case at RT Coopers. She has been so so helpful with my case, I don't know how I would've gotten through without her. I had contacted about 20 different lawyers before finding Rosanna but right from my first call with her, I could tell Rosanna was passionate and would dedicate herself to my case until resolution. Even before giving me a quote for her work, she had spent many many hours on my case combing over each detail and contacted me regularly to make sure she got everything right. She's been an essential source of moral support over the last year and a half. When I needed help the most, she worked day and night to make sure I was defending myself in the best way possible. She was always reachable on her phone no matter the time, and always quick to reply over email as well. There's just too many good things to say about Rosanna and I can't recommend her enough, I am very grateful to have found her in my darkest hour. Thank you so much Rosanna!' VL

Third Year Medical Student Suspended - Disciplinary Proceedings for non acdemic allegations - Fitness to Practise also - held face to face consultation to particularise the grounds of appeal - RT Coopers drafted Statement which was presented to Panel - Representation at Fitness to Practise Hearing - Successful Outcome

'Rosanna from RT Coopers Solicitors saved my life. I contacted her when I was in dire need of legal advice for a fitness to practice case that could have ended my medical career when I was in my third year of medical school. Rosanna went above and beyond to help me; she spent countless hours reviewing my case and building a robust defence. She even formulated a 180 page long document containing all of the necessary evidence to prove my innocence. After we submitted this document to the medical school, Rosanna came to represent me on the day of the hearing. Thanks to her excellent legal skills, I have been cleared of all the charges and I am now on my way to graduate with a distinction. Not only did Rosanna handle my case with the utmost professionalism and dedication, but she also genuinely cared about the outcome and her support was very heartfelt. In addition, she has been able to give me excellent advice with regards to my future career. This is a testament to the PhD which she holds in Chemistry and which puts her in a unique position when it comes to helping students that are studying a science-related degree. I will forever be grateful to Rosanna for everything which she has done for me. Thank you very much RT Coopers Solicitors'. MH

Third year medical student studying on the Medicine and Surgery MBBS degree course - unfairness and unconscious bias during placement led to the student’s professionalism being called into question in circumstances that were unfair and unjust with no basis; yet far reaching consequences - a competitor law firm drafted level 1 and level 2 appeals unsuccessfully - by the time RT Coopers got involved the chances of success were slim - RT Coopers worked with the student during long hours to prepare the level 3 review pulling out all the stops - the grounds of appeal were procedural Irregularities and unreasonableness - the university held that there were grounds for a level 3 review and a fresh investigation of the appeal had to be conducted - the adjudicator has decided that there are sufficient grounds to refer the case to the board of examiners to ratify the decision - positive outcome so far - first published in Google My Business Reviews.

'Amazing law firm. Highly recommend Rosanna Cooper for any academic appeal. Had an experience with a lawyer before Rosanna and the difference was staggering. Rosanna kept in contact with me from start to finish. Making the long stressful process of an appeal that lasted 4 months that little bit easier. Rosanna is a perfectionist and stayed on the phone with me for hours on end to really get under the nitty gritty details of my appeal. Her attention to detail and scientific approach made a great appeal and would recommend to anyone searching for a lawyer for an academic appeal to University'. Ma Alr

Link to Case Studies

Links to Testimonials

All Testimonials - Academic Appeals various students - Academic Integrity - Academic Misconduct and Academic Malpractice - Cheating - Collusion - Complaints to the OIA against Universities - Dentistry Students - Disciplinary - Exclusions - Expulsions - Extenuating Circumstances - Failed resits for OSCE/ISCE/PACES - Failed resits for written paper - Failed resits - Failed retake year - Fitness to Study - Fitness to Practise - Medical Students - Mitigating Circumstances - Panel Hearings - Pharmacy MPharm & GPhC Registration Assessment Appeals - PhD Students - Plagiarism - Poor Referencing - Procedural Irregularities - Withdrawal - Withdrawn from University - Representation before Panels and Committees - Termination of Studies - Veterinary Students