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.
On this page
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)
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
There are currently no vacancies.
Meeting dates and paper submission deadlines 2025/26
University staff can view paper submission guidance and deadlines on the Governance intranet.
Court meets in accordance with its Standing orders (PDF, 117kB).
- Friday 12 December 2025, 10.00am
Papers
Papers for the 2025 meeting of Court will be circulated to members once available.
Minutes
Download minutes from previous meetings of Court.
2025/26
- 12 December 2025 (TO FOLLOW)
2024/25
Please note that these are draft minutes until formally approved at the next meeting, 12 December 2025.