University of London , Court

Along with the Senate, the Court is one of the supreme governing bodies of the University. The establishment of the Court was recommended in the Hilton Young Report 1926 and was created by Statute 27 in July 1928, which came into operation in March 1929. The first meeting of the Court was held on 10 July 1929.

Originally the Court was comprised of sixteen members: ex officio members, the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and the Chairman of Convocation and thirteen other members appointed by the Senate, His Majesty in Council, the London County Council and one co-opted member. In 1981 it was enlarged to 24 members. Besides the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and the Chairman of Convocation it had ten members voted by the Senate, four by the Crown, two by the Greater London Council, one from local authorities and four co-opted members.

Statute 27 defined the Court's functions, which included:

to have custody, control and disposition of all the property, funds and investments of the University;to control the finances of the University;to represent the University in all negotiations for obtaining grants;to determine the allocation of funds at the disposal of the university;to determine the expenditure necessary for the University property and staff.

The Court delegated its functions to various Court committees, such as the Committee on Accommodation, Bloomsbury Development Committee and the Allocation of Grants Committee.

In 1933 the Court took responsibility for arranging the laying of the foundation for the new site at Bloomsbury. Normally the Establishment Secretary was responsible for functions and ceremonies, but because of the Court's connection with the development of the Bloomsbury Site it was thought appropriate that Court staff along with the Principal should do most of the organisation. The Clerk of the Court represented the University at meetings of the Russell Square Garden Commissioners.