Executing agreements as Deeds ('Sealing')

Find out how to have a document executed on behalf of the University as a Deed.

The University Charter gives the Board of Trustees the power to direct the use of the University Seal. The Board delegation schedule (University of Bristol access only) delegates this power to specified University officers.

The function of applying the University Seal to deeds and other documents is overseen by the University Secretary via the Governance Team. 

If you need a document executed on behalf of the University of Bristol as a Deed ('Sealed'), please: 

  1. Give us at least 2 weeks notice - ideally more. Two members of the Executive Group are required to witness the Sealing of documents on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Governance Team need to liaise with their diary managers. 
  2. Ensure your document contains this wording from the Attestation Clause (Office document, 41kB).
  3. Complete the Sealing Request form (Office document, 34kB) ensuring all fields are completed in full. It is your responsibility to ensure the form is fully completed before being submitted or your request will not be approved. 
  4. Submit the form and all documentation to the Governance Team: governance@bristol.ac.uk
  5. Send a hard copy of the documents to the Governance Team at 5 Tyndall Avenue. These must arrive no less than 2 clear working days before the Sealing date. 

We will arrange a date and confirm this to you. Please do not request for a Sealing date to be arranged until your documents are ready for submission. After Sealing, we will inform you once your documents ready for collection.

Dates and deadlines

  • Next Sealing date: 27 November 2025
  • Request form submission deadline: 19 November 2025