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 2025/26 (PDF, 143kB)

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

We are now inviting nominations for twenty members of University staff to serve on University Court, as ‘staff in attendance’ from 1 September 2026. Staff attendees are invited to Court with the purpose of informing members of Court, as required, but are not formal members and do not have voting rights. As an equal opportunity employer, the University is keen to see the widest possible representation on Court. We are particularly keen to receive applications from under-represented groups.

Find out more about University Court, including its responsibilities and Terms of Reference. Court meets annually, and the next annual meeting is on Friday 11 December 2026.  ‘Staff in attendance’ who are elected will be expected to attend this meeting.

To apply and for more information, please read and complete the online form by end of day on Sunday 19 July 2026.

The form asks for information and a 500-word supporting statement outlining why you think you would make a suitable representative as staff in attendance at Court, plus the details of two nominators (who are also University staff).

If you would like to discuss this opportunity or have questions, please contact governance@bristol.ac.uk.

Meeting dates and paper submission deadlines 2026/27

University staff can view paper submission guidance and deadlines on the Governance intranet.

Court meets in accordance with its Standing orders (PDF, 117kB).

  • Friday 11 December 2026, 10 am

Papers

Papers for the 2026 meeting of Court will be circulated to members once available.

Minutes

Download minutes from previous meetings of Court.

2026/27

  • 11 December 2026 (to follow)

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.