The role of the University Court is to provide a forum for consultation with the local and regional community, to help promote public awareness of the University and to attract and maintain goodwill.
The Court derives its existence from Article 10 of the Charter. The Statutes Section 15 sets out the Court's formal powers:
- to appoint the Chancellor on the recommendation of the Council after consultation with the Senate
- to receive from the Vice-Chancellor the Annual Report on the workings of the University and to receive from the Treasurer the annual audited Statement of Accounts of the University and to question the same and to comment thereon
- to discuss any matters relating to the University and to make recommendations to Council as it sees fit.
The University Court is a large body of some 190 members, comprising representatives of the University, which includes members of Council, Deans of the Faculties, Heads of Academic Schools, members of staff, students and graduates; representatives of local authorities and of schools and colleges in the region; members of the UK and European parliaments; and representatives of other local societies and bodies. The composition of the Court is set out in the Statutes Section 14.
A meeting of the Court is held annually.