The rewards enjoyed by academics are certainly not pecuniary; we derive job satisfaction by imparting knowledge, advice and hard-earned experience to the future constituents of what we hope will be a mature, responsible and well-intentioned society.

We take academic integrity seriously for good reason. If young citizens are not held to account for their actions we can only fear what the future will bring.

It is unfortunate that some students, thankfully, a very small number, make misguided decisions. When law students, in whose hands potential future clients will be placing their trust, commit unethical behaviour then the prescribed measures should be followed.

Not to do so sends the wrong message: other students might think they too can get away with it and academics will wonder why they bother with academic integrity.

Turning a blind eye to a measure that seeks to safeguard the unsuspecting public goes a long way to fostering a growing culture of impunity.

Older and wiser heads should stop and think about the implications of their actions.