University court facts for kids

A university court is a special group that helps run a university. In the United Kingdom and other countries, it's part of how a university is managed.

In many older universities in England and Wales, the court helps connect the university with people from the government, businesses, and the local community. In Scotland, the court is the main governing body. It's like the "board of directors" for the university. At Oxford and Cambridge universities, the court used to be a local law court.

How University Courts Work in England and Wales

In most older universities in England and Wales, and some newer ones, the court is one of three main groups that manage the university. The other two are the council (like a board of directors) and the senate (which handles school-related matters).

This way of running universities started with the Victoria University in 1880. The court was originally the main governing body. It had many members, sometimes over a hundred. These members were important people from the local community. The council was the group that made daily decisions.

The court used to have powers like making rules and choosing the vice-chancellor. However, these choices were usually just confirming what the council suggested. Over time, the council became the main governing body in the 1980s and 1990s.

Today, in the 21st century, the court is mostly a place for people from the government, businesses, and the community to talk with the university. However, some courts still have the power to choose the chancellor. For example, in 2014, the court at Cardiff University stopped the appointment of Griff Rhys Jones as chancellor.

Oxford and Cambridge University Courts

At the very old English universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the courts were different. They were actual legal courts. They were called the Court of the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University and the Cambridge University Chancellor's Court.

At Oxford University, the vice-chancellor or their helper was the judge. This court handled civil cases (disputes between people) from 1244. It had power over cases where a student or university member was involved. It also had power over some minor crimes from 1290.

The criminal powers of Cambridge University's court over people not part of the university have stopped. Its power over certain behaviors that were considered against the rules for students was removed in 1894.

All legal powers of both the Oxford and Cambridge courts over non-university matters were removed by the Administration of Justice Act 1977.

Durham and Newcastle University Courts

The universities of Durham and London, which are older than the "civic university" movement, did not have courts when they started. In the 20th century, both had courts created. These courts had fewer than 30 members. They were in charge of money and property for a while. However, these courts were later removed as their structures changed.

The court of Durham University was created in 1937. It was removed in 1963 when Newcastle University became separate. Durham's court was similar to the main governing bodies in Scotland. It was responsible for money and property. It had 24 to 27 members, with most coming from outside the university.

After becoming independent, Newcastle University kept a convocation (a large group of graduates). It also set up a court like the "civic university" model. Newcastle's convocation chooses the chancellor. However, this is based on suggestions from the court and council. The court can also ask for changes to the university's rules.

University of London Court

The court of the University of London was created in 1929. Like Durham, this was a smaller group. It was responsible for the money and property of the federal university. It started with 16 members and grew to 24 by 1981.

In 1991, a report suggested removing both the court and the senate. It recommended replacing them with a single executive council. This change happened with the University of London Act 1994.

University Courts in Scotland

University courts were first set up for the ancient universities by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858. These courts are in charge of the finances and management of each university. Each university decides how its court is made up. This plan must be approved by the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. Members come from within the university, the local community, and beyond.

At an ancient university, the court is led by the rector. The rector is chosen by all the students. Other members are appointed by the general council, the academic senate, and the local authority.

At more modern universities, there is usually a chairman or convenor. This person is chosen in a way similar to how a chairman of a board is chosen in a company or charity. The head of the students' representative council is usually a member. Other members from outside the university are also chosen to join the court.

See also

• University council
• Academic senate
• Ancient university governance in Scotland