Rule XIII-1: Conduct Code

A. Introduction

The Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities outlines the Student Code of Conduct and Conduct Process. UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law (UNH Law) students are entitled and expected to exercise the rights and judgment of responsible adults and future professionals and are obligated to follow the Conduct Code.  

These rules of conduct are minimum standards designed to protect the functions of the community. They cannot, and are not intended to, replace the much higher standards of respect, consideration, honesty, and civility which should govern student behavior. 

All members of the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law community are encouraged to report acts that violate the Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities (S.R.R.R), Student Academic Rules, and all additional policies that apply to students at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law. 

B. Purpose of the Code of Conduct

  • To preserve the academic integrity of teaching and learning, and the evaluation of those results.
  • To preserve and assure professional conduct amongst members of the UNH Law community.
  • To preserve the peace and property of UNH Law, its members, and visitors.
  • To carry out the professional responsibilities of UNH Law in its capacity as a legal services corporation (NH RSA 292:1-a) and those of its members who have undertaken representation of others in connection with their study.
  • To permit disassociation from the UNH Law community of those who have breached professional duties and responsibilities.

C. Varying Procedures

  1. Except for academic misconduct, complaints will follow the Conduct Resolution Process and Procedures.   
  2. Academic misconduct complaints will follow the Rules of Procedure outlined in Academic Rule XIII-2​

D. Student Obligations 

  1. Every student is obliged to conform to these rules and to seek timely guidance if they fail to understand them. Ignorance or misunderstanding of one or more rules is not a defense to a charge, although it may be considered in mitigation. 
  2. Unless a stricter mental state is specified as an element of a particular violation, a person may be found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct if their failure to act in accord with it was merely negligent. Negligence in this respect means ordinary (as opposed to criminal) negligence and includes failure to act with the care and attention of a reasonable person similarly situated and informed, acting in good faith. Violations may also be charged as having been committed recklessly, knowingly, or purposefully, which, in cases of doubt, shall have the same meanings as under the Model Penal Code.