Court

[Note: The University Council agreed in November 2025 to dissolve the University Court.  The University is currently seeking Privy Council approval for this action.  Until such time when approval has been received details of the University Court will remain on the University webpages]

1. The University Court's mission statement is: to act as an agent of the University's stakeholders in seeing that the University is well managed, properly governed and responsive to public and local interests and concerns.
2. In furtherance of its mission, the Court has the following specific objectives and powers:

Objectives

• to monitor at arm's length the academic progress of the University in both teaching and research; and similarly its financial and corporate health
• to serve as a bridge between the wider community and the University
• to provide a source of ideas, influence and support from the wider community to assist the University in the pursuit of its mission

Powers
The Court is empowered:

• to ask questions about, and express an opinion on, any matter whatsoever concerning the University; and to convey such opinions to the Council (as the governing body of the University) and other University authorities
• in accordance with the Statutes of the University to co-opt a number of lay members of the Court itself
• to award honorary degrees of the University

December 2005 (updated March 2008, October 2014)

Last updated - 20.2.2026 (CLLC)