Special Consideration
Special Consideration is the process by which the University seeks to ensure just and equitable treatment of students who suffer unexpected and significant impairment (e.g. serious illness) in relation to assessment. Special Consideration provisions are available for internal assessment (i.e. an assignment or in-class test), final and special examinations.
Special Consideration is governed by the University's Examination and Assessment Regulations. Under these regulations, there is no provision for Special Examinations of any kind to be provided outside the Special Consideration process.
Examination and Assessment Regulations
Special Consideration in internal assessment
The Dean of Law delegates to paper coordinators the authority to award special consideration in the form of an extension for internal assessment. Extensions may not be available in all papers – this is at the discretion of the paper coordinator. Where extensions are available, this will be set out clearly on Aoroa, along with criteria and information on the deadline for application.
A late-submission penalty may be applied where a student fails to hand in a compulsory item of internal assessment and has not been approved for an extension.
Students should be aware that the Faculty will take into account the total time given to complete the assessment – e.g. if the assessment period was for 4 weeks, then an unexpected setback 1 day before the due date is unlikely to be met with sympathy.
Applications should be accompanied by appropriate documentation, in accordance with the University guidance on applying for final examinations.
Special Consideration in final examinations
Final exams are “external”, in that they are administered by the Examinations Office. Applications for Special Consideration in final exams are determined by the Examinations Office.
Find out more about eligibility and applying for Special Consideration in final examinations
Students should note that applications must be made within 5 calendar days of the last examination for which you are seeking Special Consideration.
Applications for Special Consideration in Final Examinations are determined by the Examinations Office; the Faculty is then responsible for determining an academic outcome.
- No change/no action
- Mark adjustment
- Special examination
- Aegrotat Pass (exceptional cases only; not generally available for NZCLE-compulsory papers)
In cases where a student is approved for special consideration and was absent from an exam, regardless of whether they have completed internal assessment, the default remedy will be a special exam.
Where a student attempted the final exam but was highly impaired (as determined by Exams), the student will be offered the opportunity to sit a special exam. A mark adjustment may also be offered, depending on relative internal and final exam results.
In cases of medium impairment, a mark adjustment may be offered, depending on relative internal and final exam results. Special exams are not offered for cases of medium impairment, other than for LAWS 101.
Withdrawal under exceptional circumstances
Withdrawal under exceptional circumstances is intended to cover significant and unexpected circumstances which arise during the semester. Information on eligibility and deadlines is available here.
It is important to note that applications for withdrawal under exceptional circumstances must be submitted before the day of the final examination for the paper from which you wish to withdraw. If there is no final examination (e.g. LAWS 490 Honours), the application must be submitted by the official last day of classes for the paper concerned. Late applications are only considered in exceptional circumstances.
Compensation passes
According to cl.4 of the LLB Regulations, the Dean of Law may grant a compensation pass to a full-time student, or a student who is completing the degree, if the Law Examiners so recommend on the basis of the student’s work as a whole in the year concerned.
Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
As of 2026 the Law Examiners’ recommendations are ordinarily made in accordance with the following guidelines:
- Compensation Passes are only available to students in their final semester of study;
- A student will not be awarded a Compensation Pass in more than one paper;
- Compensation Passes are not available for NZCLE-compulsory papers (including Ethics);
- The student must have achieved a minimum of 45% in the paper failed; and a minimum average of 60% in other LAWS papers taken that year1;
- In all cases, the Dean of Law has the discretion to decline to award a compensation pass based on concerns about attendance, academic integrity, or other reasonable grounds.
Where a student has concerns about their ability to pass a compulsory paper, it is strongly recommended they do not take the paper in their final year, as a compensation pass is unlikely to be available and this may significantly delay graduation.
1. “That year” normally refers to the current calendar/academic year (semester 1 and semester 2); for Summer School semester finalists, eligibility will be based on the student’s average performance in the previous semester 1 and semester 2, plus any other Summer School semester papers; for Semester 1 finalists, eligibility will be based on the student’s average performance in the previous semester 2 and (where applicable) Summer School, plus any other (final) semester 1 papers.