Court

Court serves as a bridge between the wider community and the University. It provides a source of ideas, influence and support from the wider community to assist the University in pursuit of its mission.

Responsibilities and terms of reference

Court is responsible for:

appointing the Chancellor and Pro-Chancellors on the nomination of the Board of Trustees;
appointing 2 members to serve on the Nominations Committee of the Board.

Court may also:

pose questions to the Chair of the Board of Trustees on the activity of the Board in the preceding year and the plans for the year ahead;
pose questions to the Vice-Chancellor and Executive Group on the execution of the strategy of the University;
pose questions to the Board of Trustees on the financial statements;
ask questions and offer comment to the Board of Trustees and the Executive Group on any aspect of the University's business.

See full details of Court’s responsibilities in statutes 6-8 of the University's Statutes.

Membership

Court membership is set out in statute 6 of the University's Statutes and is made up of:

Core Members

Elected

30 Alumni Association Representatives
5 Emeriti

Nominated

20 Members from civic, cultural and community organisations or bodies
20 Members from unions, professional organisations, business community and industry or other knowledge-intensive organisations
5 representatives from elected representatives of the City of Bristol and its surrounding areas

Ex Officio

Chancellor
Pro-Chancellors
Honorary Fellows

Additional Members

The Chancellor may appoint up to 20 Additional Appointed Members as set out in Statute.

Current members of Court

To see a list of current members, download the Court membership 2024-25 (PDF, 144kB)

Diversity monitoring

The diversity of our Court members has been researched periodically since 2020, data for the membership is not available.

Attendees

Statute 6 sets out that the following people can attend Court:

20 university employees, who are elected by university employees
The elected Sabbatical Officers of the Students' Union
Board of Trustees
Vice-Chancellor and President
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for Science and Engineering
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for Arts, Law & Social Sciences
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for Health and Life Sciences
Chief Operating Officer & Registrar
Chief Financial Officer
Director of Governance, University Secretary and Clerk to Court

They do not have the authority to make committee decisions and are not eligible to vote in meetings.

Court Secretary

Current post-holder: Michael Flay, Director of Governance and University Secretary
Email: michael.flay@bristol.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 117 45 54881

Vacancies

University Court acts as an agent for two-way communication through which the University presents updates to its broader constituencies and key stakeholders and receives feedback and advice on matters relating to University business. It serves as a bridge between the wider community and the University and provides a source of ideas, influence and support from the wider community to assist the University in the pursuit of its mission.

We are inviting nominations for five members of the Emeritus Professors to serve on University Court, from 1 September 2025.

The role of Court members is to:

1. Champion and promote the interests and reputation of the University.
2. Understand, support and provide advice and wise counsel to the University in order to foster, establish, and maintain beneficial links between the University and its wider community and society.
3. Act as ambassadors for the University and raise awareness of its achievements, expertise, and aspirations locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
4. Help the University to establish links with employers and organisations to promote and provide opportunities for interactions such as internships, volunteering, research and training and development.

To stand for election as a member of the Emeritus Professors on Court, you must be an Emeritus Professor.  You must also be nominated by two other Emeritus Professors.

Please complete this online form by 5pm on Monday 30 June 2025.

Your nominators must also confirm that they wish to nominate you by sending an email to: governance@bristol.ac.uk by the same deadline.

Please note that your 500 word supporting statement must be written with reference to the role description for Court members which is referenced above. A copy of your statement will be made available on the governance website if an election is held.

If there are more nominations received than there are places available, then a ballot will be held and the candidate with the greatest number of votes will be declared elected.

If you have any questions about how to complete the form or the wider process, please contact governance@bristol.ac.uk