The Office of the University Advocate exists because it is established in the Code of Conduct approved by the Academic Council of the University of Limerick.

You can find the Code of Conduct in the Handbook of Academic Regulations and Procedures on the UL Policy Hub .

Role of the University Advocate

The University Advocate is an independent officer whose job is to protect the University’s interests and enforce the Code of Conduct. They investigate complaints, gather evidence, and—if necessary—present cases at disciplinary hearings.

Under the Code of Conduct, the role of the University Advocate is as follows:

3.2 Excepting academic misconduct, which is managed by the Academic Integrity Unit (AIU), allegations of a breach of the Code of Conduct shall, in the first instance, be referred to a University Advocate, who shall:

a) Consider an allegation and decide if there is a case to answer

b) Investigate the allegation to determine if there has been a breach of the Code

c) Enter into a Voluntary Agreement with the student concerned, where appropriate

d) Refer an offence to the Discipline Committee where appropriate

e) Present all cases in the discipline process

The Advocate’s authority applies only to members of the UL student community.

1.1 This Code of Conduct shall apply to and govern the conduct of all registered students of University of Limerick (UL), whether whole-time, part-time or otherwise, who will herein be referred to as the UL Student Community. Acceptance of this code is part of UL’s registration process.

UL may also have agreements with visiting students, and in those cases, their home institution’s disciplinary rules may apply.

The University Advocates are appointed by the President of the University of Limerick.

Current Advocates include:

  • Mr Eamonn T Fitzgerald
  • Professor Ken Byrne
  • Professor Conor McCarthy
  • Professor Elaine Murtagh
  • Professor Una Woods

Important: Students and staff should not contact Advocates directly. All communication must go through the Complaints, Discipline and Vetting (CDV) Unit at ULDiscipline@ul.ie, or via the appropriate internal/external complaint form.

Guiding principles

The Advocate’s work is based on these key principles:

  • Thorough investigation and prosecution of any Code of Conduct breaches to protect the University.
  • Independence from the disciplinary committees that make decisions.
  • Efficient case management with clear records.
  • Transparency and accountability within the limits of the Advocate’s independent office.
  • Protection of all members of the University community, including current and former students, staff, and faculty.

The Advocate’s work has three stages:

  1. Complaint
  2. Investigation
  3. Prosecution

Anyone—individual or organisation—can make a complaint. They do not need to be associated with UL.

However, the Advocate can only investigate complaints against people who fall under the Code of Conduct (mostly UL students). If the Advocate does not have jurisdiction, they will direct the complainant to the correct University office.

Academic misconduct must be reported to the Academic Integrity Unit.

(UL Staff Academic Misconduct (Levels 1-3) Report Forms | University of Limerick). 

All other types of alleged misconduct can be reported using the forms below.

Most investigations begin with a complaint, although the Advocate may also start an investigation on their own initiative.

Allegation of Breach of the UL Code of Conduct: Internal Form

Allegation of Breach of the UL Code of Conduct: External Form 

Once a complaint is received, the Advocate opens a file and begins gathering information. This may include:

  • Speaking to the complainant
  • Speaking to witnesses
  • Reviewing documents or other evidence

The Advocate may then decide:

  1. There is no breach of the Code. The file is closed.
  2. There may be a breach. The Advocate will usually invite the student involved to a meeting (but the student is not required to attend).

Anyone who attends such a meeting is formally cautioned under Code of Conduct s.3.3.

Not attending the meeting won’t be held against you, but it usually means the case will proceed to a full Discipline Committee hearing.

The meeting may resolve the matter (e.g., via a voluntary agreement) or confirm that a breach likely occurred. If the Advocate believes there is enough evidence, the case will go to the relevant committee unless a voluntary agreement is offered.

If a voluntary agreement is accepted, the case may be mentioned briefly at a Discipline Committee hearing, but the student will not need to attend.

If the case goes to the Discipline Committee, the Advocate will present the University’s case and request an appropriate sanction to protect the interests of the University.

If the student appeals, the Advocate defends the decision at the Appeals Committee.

The Advocate cannot appeal decisions of the Discipline Committee.

The Advocate does not take part in committee deliberations and holds no special authority within the hearing—they act as the University’s representative, just as the student or their representative acts for the defence.

Advocate FAQs

It means you may be involved in, or witnessed, an alleged breach of the Code. This is only an allegation. The Advocate must investigate all complaints, and that may require meeting you.

You don’t need to bring anything except your UL student ID.

In some cases, you may bring a family member or a representative from UL Student Life or the PSU.

You’ll get an email with the meeting details and a Caution Notice. You must sign and return the Caution Notice before the meeting.

You’ll be asked to prove your identity.

The Advocate will confirm you signed and returned the Caution Notice.

You will then be asked to explain your side of the story.

You are expected to be truthful and provide all relevant details.

The Advocate may ask questions to clarify facts.

Agreeing to the meeting does not mean you admit to the allegation.

The Advocate may:

  • Close the case if there is no breach.
  • Refer the case to the Disciplinary Committee.
  • Offer a voluntary agreement if you admit the breach and the matter can be resolved without a hearing.

You will be told what to expect next.

It varies by case, but it will never exceed what is allowed under the Code of Conduct.

No—unless you fail to comply with the agreement.

You will be in breach of the Code again, and the Advocate will send the case to the Discipline Committee.

You will also not be allowed to graduate until you comply fully.

The Office of the Provost & Deputy President monitors compliance.

If you fail to comply, the Advocate will handle the breach.

Submitting forms

Internal and external Allegation of Breach forms can be submitted online or to:

CDV Unit Main Building, Room A1084 University of Limerick Limerick V94 T9PX Ireland

Email: ULDiscipline@ul.ie