CIMA Student Member Avoids Cancellation of Student Registration Despite Admission of Use of Phone During Remote Examination

In June 2025, Steve Roberts represented a CIMA Registered Student before a CIMA Disciplinary Committee in relation to an allegation of professional misconduct as a result of his use of a mobile phone during an online examination undertaken as part of his CIMA qualification.

Facts of the case

The Registered Student had sat an examination in December 2024. During the examination, he was observed by an online proctor using a mobile phone. The proctor confronted the student, who denied that he was using a mobile phone. The examination was terminated. Shortly after the incident, the student member was notified of a misconduct investigation by CIMA which ultimately resulted in a referral to a CIMA Disciplinary Committee.

Work conducted

The Registered Student contacted us as soon as he received the notice of investigation from CIMA. Working with him, we made appropriate admissions on his behalf and began to collect mitigating documents on his behalf. As a result of his admissions, the Registered Student was offered the opportunity to resign his student registration, ask that his case be considered on the papers only or for a full public hearing. Given that he was at real risk of his Registration being cancelled, the student did not want the case to be considered on the papers only and did not want to resign his position, so he decided to request a full public hearing. We were able to prepare a detailed bundle on behalf of the student in advance of the hearing, and our Mr Steve Roberts appeared on his behalf at the hearing and was able to make oral submissions on behalf of the member before the Disciplinary Committee.

Outcome

Having considered the mitigation bundle and Steve Robert’s oral representations, the panel were persuaded not to cancel the student’s registration but instead to impose a severe reprimand award costs against the student. The student was also made the subject of a condition that he could not take a CIMA examination for a period of 12 months. The student was extremely happy with the outcome, having feared the worst. After the hearing, he provided Steve Roberts with a 5-star review.
If you are facing a CIMA Disciplinary Investigation or have a matter before their Disciplinary Committee and would like advice from our specialist professional disciplinary lawyers, please contact our accountancy team for assistance.