LEON Signature Requests

The following guidance provides details on signature requests and how to sign LEON submissions.

SIGNATURE REQUESTS

You will receive an email notification when a signature is requested for an ethics submission in LEON. If you receive such a request, please follow the guidance below.

To access the application:

  • Click the project link in the email notification, or
  • Log in to LEON to view all your projects.

From the ‘Home’ page you will see a tile which lists any signature requests you have received.  Click on the ‘Signatures’ box to view current and previous requests.  The red number indicates how many signature requests you have awaiting your action.  To access an application, click ‘View Form’.  If the request is marked ‘invalidated’, this means the applicant has made changes and this request has been superseded.

NOTE: If there is a message that a newer version is available, you should ignore this message.  This is a system update.  Updating to the ‘newer version’ will invalidate any existing signatures.

REVIEWING THE SUBMISSION 

Before signing, please ensure that you have checked the following:

  • The selections in the ‘Start Here’ section are correct based on the study description.
  • The Responsible Investigator section lists the supervisor, not the student’s details.
  • The end date has not passed.
  • Section A and Section B have been completed accurately based on the study description, as this will determine the review route for the study.
  • All required supporting documents are attached and appropriate for the study.
Once the applicant has signed the form, it will become read-only. However, you can still review and sign it.

Supporting documents can be downloaded individually through the ‘supporting documents’ section of the form or by selecting ‘navigate’ and then opening the ‘Documents’ section.

You can move through the proposal by selecting ‘next’ or ‘previous’ at the bottom of the page.  You can also move between sections of the form using the ‘navigate’ link.  You can download the form by selecting ‘view as PDF’.

REJECT

If you have any concerns or require revisions, you can decline the signature request by selecting ‘reject’ and adding your comments in the space provided.  These will be sent to the applicants so that they can amend the submission.

You can also leave feedback within the form using the speech bubbles at the top of each section.  You might also wish to send comments by email to ensure the applicant is aware of the rejection.  Applicants will receive an automatic email notification from the system.

SIGN

If the submission is acceptable, select ‘sign’ from the actions across the top of the form.  If you cannot see this in the actions you should select ‘more’ to view additional action. (Do not select ‘signatures’ as this is a different action.)  You will be able to view a pdf copy of submissions you have signed.

The applicant will be informed that the signature has been completed.  Once all signatures are provided the form should automatically be submitted.  Applicants should run a completeness check to ensure the submission process has commenced. 

All investigators named on a project will receive an email confirming submission.