Statutes of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Preliminary
In these statutes unless the context otherwise requires:
‘the Act’ means the Universities of Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne Act, 1963; ‘the appointed day’ means 1 August 1963;
‘the University’ means the University of Newcastle upon Tyne;
‘statutory bodies’ means the court, the council, the senate, the academic board, the boards of faculties and the convocation of the University;
‘lay member’ means a person who is not a member of salaried staff or a student of the University;
‘lay officer’ means the chair of council, the vice-chair of council or the treasurer; ‘staff’ means a person who is employed by the University;
‘academic staff’ is defined as the professors, readers, senior lecturers, lecturers, research staff, and other staff of the University as determined by the council from time to time after consultation with the senate;
‘alumni’ means those defined as such by the senate; ‘year’ means a calendar year;
‘month’ means a calendar month;
words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular
2. As from the appointed day the University shall for every purpose be administered and governed wholly and exclusively in accordance with the provisions of the Act and these
The University
3.
(1) The University shall be governed by a visitor, chancellor, pro-chancellor, vice-chancellor, the convocation, the court, the council, the senate, boards of faculties and the academic board.
(2) The object of the University is, for the public benefit, to advance education, learning and
(3) The University shall have all the powers of a natural person to do all lawful acts whatsoever that may be conducive or incidental to the attainment of the objects for which the University has been established.
(4) The University shall ensure that academic staff have freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions, without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs or Where there is any issue as to the meaning of ‘academic freedom’, regards shall be had to Sections VI and VII of the Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Paris on 11 November 1997.
The Visitor
4. The Sovereign for the time being shall be the visitor of the University.
The Chancellor
5.
(1) There shall be a chancellor of the University, who shall, subject as in these statutes provided, hold office for such a period as may be confirmed by the convocation on the recommendation of the court and the senate sitting in joint session or until the chancellor
(2) The chancellor shall be the ceremonial head of the University. The chancellor may confer degrees and in the absence of the chancellor the vice-chancellor, or an individual nominated by the vice-chancellor, shall preside.
(3) In the absence of the chancellor or during a vacancy in the office of chancellor the duties of that office shall be performed by the pro-chancellor.
(4) The chancellor shall be appointed by the convocation on the nomination of the court and the senate sitting in joint session.
The Pro-Chancellor
6.
(1) There shall be a pro-chancellor of the University. The chair of council shall be the pro-chancellor by virtue of holding that office.
(2) The pro-chancellor may be removed from office for good cause by the council.
The Vice-Chancellor
7. There shall be a vice-chancellor of the University who shall be the chief academic and executive officer of the University and who shall have a general responsibility to the court, the council and the senate for maintaining and promoting its efficiency and good
8. The vice-chancellor shall be appointed by the council on the nomination of the council and the senate acting jointly.
8.The vice-chancellor shall be a member of the court, the council, the senate, the academic board and the convocation, and shall preside at all meetings of the senate and the academic board.
10. In the absence of the vice-chancellor or during a vacancy in the office of vice- chancellor the duties of that office shall be performed by the deputy vice-chancellor, if appointed, or in the absence of the person holding that office or during a vacancy in that office by a pro-vice-chancellor appointed by the council.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor
11. The council may, after consultation with the senate, appoint a deputy to the vice- Before making an appointment the council shall constitute a committee which shall be chaired by the vice-chancellor and shall have an equal number of members appointed by the council and the senate to make recommendations as to the appointment and shall consider the report of that committee. The deputy vice-chancellor will hold office for a period fixed by the council.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellors and University Deans
12.
(1) The council shall, after consultation with the senate, appoint one or more pro-vice-chancellors. Before making an appointment the council shall constitute a committee which shall be chaired by the vice-chancellor and shall have an equal number of members appointed by the council and the senate to make recommendations as to the appointment and shall consider the report of that committee. They shall hold office for periods fixed by the council.
(2) The council may, after consultation with the senate, appoint one or more University deans in pursuit of strategic academic objectives. Before making an appointment the council shall constitute a committee which shall be chaired by the vice- chancellor and shall have an equal number of members appointed by the council and the senate to make recommendations as to the appointment and shall consider the report of that They shall hold office for periods fixed by the council.
The Registrar
13. There shall be a registrar of the University who, under the supervision of the vice- chancellor, shall perform such duties as the council may prescribe after consultation with the
14. The registrar shall be appointed by the council. Before making an appointment the council shall constitute a committee which shall include members of the senate to make recommendations as to the appointment and shall consider the report of that committee.
Auditor
15. The council shall appoint an auditor or auditors.
Every such auditor shall be a member of a recognised supervisory body (as defined in chapter 2 of Part 42 of the Companies Act 2006) who is eligible for the appointment under the rules of that body.
No person shall be appointed auditor who is, or any one of whose business partners is, a member of the council or staff of the University.
The auditor or auditors shall hold office for such period and shall receive such remuneration as may be determined by the council.
The auditor or auditors shall have a right of access at all reasonable times to the books, records, accounts and vouchers of the University and shall be entitled to require from the University such information and explanations as may be necessary for the performance of their duties.
The Court
16. (1) There shall be a court of the University consisting of:
such principal officers of the University as the council may from time to time determine;
one sabbatical officer of the Students’ Union elected annually by the Students’ Union;
seven members of University staff appointed by the academic board;
together with such other co-opted members, not being fewer than thirty nor more than forty, as the court shall from time to time determine. None of the co-opted members shall be salaried staff or students of the University.
The appointed and co-opted members shall hold office for three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for further periods provided that the total consecutive period of service does not exceed nine years unless, in exceptional circumstances, the chancellor, the pro-chancellor or vice-chancellor determines otherwise.
See also statute 57 – Procedure.
(2) In the absence of the chancellor, the pro-chancellor shall preside at all meetings of the court. In the absence of the chancellor and the pro-chancellor, the vice-chair of council shall preside.
Powers of the Court
17. (1) The court shall advise upon and further the work of the University. The powers of the court shall be as follows:
(a) to discuss any matters relevant to the interests and well-being of the University and to send views to the council;
(b) to make regulations for the custody and use of the common seal of the University;
(c) to make statutes subject to the provisions of statute 58;
(d) to appoint half the lay membership of the council nominations committee for the purpose of appointing the lay members of the council.
(2) The court and the senate sitting in joint session shall nominate the chancellor for appointment by the
(3) The court shall normally meet twice during each academic year and shall receive reports from the vice-chancellor.
The Council
18. There shall be a council of the University consisting of:
the vice-chancellor;
the deputy vice-chancellor (if appointed);
he treasurer (if such an officer is appointed);
Such members shall serve for so long as they hold the relevant office.
two members of academic staff appointed by the senate, of whom one shall be elected from their own number by the professorial members of the senate and one shall be elected from their own number by the non-professorial members of the senate. Such members shall serve for a period of three years. The person elected shall not be eligible for re-election after their term in office until two academic years have passed since the expiry of the original term of appointment;
one members elected by and from the academic staff of the University. The person shall serve for a period of three years. The person elected shall not be eligible for re-election after their term in office until two academic years have passed since the expiry of the original term of appointment;
one member of the academic board who is not an academic member of staff elected by members of the academic board who are not academic staff. The person shall serve for a period of three years. The person elected shall not be eligible for re-election after their term in office until two academic years have passed since the expiry of the original term of appointment.
ten to thirteen lay members who shall not be salaried staff of the University appointed by the council on the recommendation of the nominations committee.
All lay members shall hold office for three years and shall be eligible for re- appointment for further periods provided that no member shall serve for more than nine consecutive years.
two student members determined by the Students’ Union. The student members shall hold office for one year. Either student member ceasing to be a registered full-time student shall cease to be a member of the council, and the council may, after consultation with the Students’ Union, co-opt a full-time registered student for the remainder of their period of office.
Any member of the council (other than a member of the academic staff to whom statute 52 applies) may be removed from membership of the council for good cause by the council.
A quorum shall be not fewer than one-third of the members the majority of whom must be lay members.
See also statute 57 – Procedure.
The Chair of Council
19.
(1) The council shall appoint from among its own lay members or otherwise a chair, not being a member of the salaried staff or student of the University, who shall by virtue of that office be the pro-chancellor. A chair who is appointed from among the members of the council shall be required by the council to vacate office on ceasing to be a member of the council. A chair who is appointed from outside the council shall cease to be a member of the council on ceasing to be the chair. Subject thereto the chair shall hold office for three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for further periods provided that the total consecutive period of service does not exceed nine years. The period of appointment shall be linked to the office. The chair may be removed from office for good cause by the council.
(2) The council shall appoint from among its own lay members or otherwise one or two vice-chairs, who shall not be members of the salaried staff or students of the University. A vice-chair who is appointed from among the members of the council shall be required by the council to vacate office on ceasing to be a member of the council. A vice-chair who is appointed from outside the council shall cease to be a member of the council on ceasing to be vice-chair. Subject thereto the vice-chair shall hold office for three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for further periods provided that the total consecutive period of service does not exceed nine years. The period of appointment shall be linked to the office. A vice-chair may be removed from office for good cause by the council.
See also statute 57 – Procedure.
The Treasurer
20. The council may appoint a treasurer of the University who shall be a lay member and, in an honorary capacity, perform such duties and hold office for such period as may be determined by the council.
The treasurer may be removed from office for good cause by the council.
Powers of the Council
21. The council shall be the supreme governing body of the University, subject to the provisions of these statutes, and shall have the custody, control and disposition of all the property and finance of the University.
22. The council shall review the work of the University and, subject to the powers of the senate, shall take such steps as it thinks proper for the purpose of advancing the interests of the University, maintaining its efficiency, encouraging teaching, pursuit of learning and the prosecution of research therein, and for providing facilities for the accommodation, recreation and well-being of students and staff.
23. The powers of the council shall, subject as in these statutes provided, include the following:
- to determine any question of finance arising out of the administration of the University or the execution of its policy or in the execution of any trust requiring execution by the University; and provided that, before determining any question of finance which directly affects the academic policy of the University, the council shall take into consideration any recommendation or report by the senate;
- to represent the University in all negotiations for obtaining grants from public bodies in aid of the work of the University;
- after consultation with the senate, to establish, suspend or abolish any post except posts created by these statutes;
- to determine, after considering the recommendations of the senate, all University fees;
- to appoint the vice-chancellor in accordance with the provisions of statute 8;
- to appoint, in accordance with the provisions of statute 11 the deputy vice- chancellor, and in accordance with statute 12 one or more pro-vice- chancellors and one or more University deans;
- to appoint, in accordance with the provisions of statute 14, the registrar, and to determine the conditions of employment;
- to appoint, after consultation with the senate, an academic head of each faculty in accordance with the provisions of statute 40;
- to determine, after consultation with the senate regarding the academic staff and with due regard to academic freedom as defined in statute 3(4), the framework of conditions of employment of all the staff of the University and to ensure that there are in place (as may be amended from time to time) procedures that deal with appointment, conduct and discipline, performance, grievance and dismissal (including redundancy);
- to take such steps as it thinks proper for supervising the Students’ Union;
- to exercise such powers as are or may be conferred upon it elsewhere in these statutes;
- subject to the provisions of these statutes, to exercise all of the powers of the University.
Financial Provisions
24. The University shall have power to borrow or raise money and to guarantee and give security for the payment of money or the performance of obligations of any kind by the University, or any other person, firm, company or body corporate (including any such entity associated with the University) and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing to guarantee and give security by way of mortgage or otherwise secured upon the whole or any part of the property and assets of the University for the purpose of carrying out its duties as defined in the Act and its statutes for the time being in force.
25.
(1) (a) The University shall have power to purchase, retain, sell or transfer property real or personal and securities (which term includes stocks, funds and shares) of any description whether or not authorised by law for the investment of trust funds.
(b) Save as may be otherwise expressly provided in relation thereto the powers conferred by the foregoing paragraph shall extend to the investment (including the variation of the investment) of all endowments or other funds.
(c) Unless the terms of the trust provide otherwise any part of the income of a trust fund not expended in any year may, at the discretion of the council, be applied as income in any subsequent year or be invested and added to the capital of the fund.
(d) The income of the trust funds vested in the University for special purposes shall be applied only for those purposes.
(2) To initiate, establish or acquire companies, whether charitable or commercial, alone or in association with any persons or entities for the purpose of or in connection with any of the duties or functions of the University.
The Senate
26. (1) There shall be a senate of the University consisting of:
(a) ex-officio members:
the vice-chancellor;
the deputy vice-chancellor (if appointed);
the pro-vice-chancellors;
the academic head of each faculty (if not a pro-vice-chancellor)
the University deans (if appointed)
(b) appointed members:
twenty members elected by and from the academic staff of the University as determined by the senate provided that ten (and only ten) of those members shall be elected from the professors and the holders of such offices as the senate may from time to time specify as equivalent for the purpose of this section and provided that there are at least two representatives from each faculty;
one lay member of the council, who should not be the chair of council, appointed by the council;
four elected sabbatical officers of the Students’ Union determined by the Students’ Union. These persons shall be members of the senate for the year of office for which they were elected provided that they remain full- time registered students of the University;
one member of the academic board who is not an academic member of staff elected by members of the academic board who are not academic staff for a period of three years;
together with, if the senate so determines, up to three members appointed by co-option.
(2) All members except ex-officio members, the student members and the two members elected onto the council shall hold office for three years. An ex-officio member shall be eligible to become an appointed member immediately after ceasing to hold office and an appointed member may become an ex-officio member at any time: subject to these provisos no member other than an ex-officio member shall be eligible for reappointment until two academic years have passed since the expiry of the original term of appointment unless that appointment was a result of a casual vacancy. The number of ex-officio members shall not exceed the number of appointed members.
(3) The members elected to serve on council in accordance with statute 18 shall have their membership of the senate extended for the duration that they continue to serve on council.
A quorum shall be not fewer than one-third of the members the majority of whom must be appointed members.
See also statute 57 – Procedure.
Powers of the Senate
27. The senate shall be the supreme governing body of the University in all academic matters and shall, subject to the powers reserved to the court and the council by these statutes, take such measures and act in such manner as shall appear to it best calculated to promote the interests of the University as a place of education, learning and research.
28. The powers of the senate shall include the following:
(1) to regulate and control, in accordance with procedures approved by it, all teaching, courses of study and examinations within the University, and the conditions qualifying for admission to the various titles, degrees and other distinctions offered by the University and the conditions for the withdrawal of the various titles, degrees or other distinctions awarded by the University;
(2) to act jointly with the council to nominate the vice-chancellor for appointment by the council in accordance with the provisions of statute 8;
(3) to be consulted by and make representations to the council on the framework of duties and conditions of employment of all members of the academic staff;
(4) to make recommendations to the council concerning all University academic fees;
(5) to regulate the matter of student discipline;
(6) to make representations and recommendations to the council on any matter of interest to the University;
(7) to discuss and declare an opinion on any academic matter;
(8) except as otherwise provided, to appoint representatives of the University on other bodies;
(9) to exercise such powers as are or may be conferred upon it elsewhere in these statutes;
(10) to define the membership of the academic board and each board of faculty.
Academic Distinctions
29. The senate may:
(1) grant degrees and other academic distinctions to persons who have pursued in the University a course of study approved by the senate and shall have passed the examinations of the University under the conditions laid down in the regulations of the University;
(2) grant degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions to persons who have pursued a course of study approved by the senate, in this or another institution recognised for this purpose, and passed examinations under conditions approved by the senate;
(3) have the power to grant degrees and other qualifications jointly with other higher education institutions having the power to grant such qualifications to persons who have pursued a course of study and passed examinations under conditions laid down in regulations approved by the senate;
(4) grant honorary degrees, the title of professor emeritus or other University distinctions;
(5) accept such examinations and periods of study at such Universities and places of learning as the senate may approve as equivalent to such examinations and periods of study in the University as the senate may determine;
(6) accept courses of study in any other institution which in the opinion of the senate possesses the means of affording the proper instruction for such courses as equivalent to such courses of study in the University as the senate may determine;
(7) determine what formalities shall attach to the conferment of degrees and other distinctions.
30. The senate may revoke any title, degree or other distinction conferred by the University and all privileges connected therewith if it appears to the senate that the degree or other distinction has been obtained by or as a result of academic misconduct on the part of the holder or for some other substantial reason as determined by the senate.
Equal Opportunities and Diversity
31. The University shall provide a working and learning environment which promotes and values equality, diversity and inclusion.
The Academic Board
32. There shall be an academic board of the University consisting of academic and other staff as defined by the senate.
33. The vice-chancellor shall be the chair of the academic board.
34. The academic board may:
(1) discuss and declare an opinion on any matter whatsoever relating to the University including any matters referred to it by the council or the senate;
(2) enter into communication directly with the council or the senate on any matter affecting the University.
35. The academic board shall appoint seven members of University staff to serve on the court.
36. The vice-chancellor may at any time and shall upon the requisition in writing of not fewer than twenty-five members of the academic board stating the purpose for which the meeting is to be called summon meetings of the academic board.
Faculties
37. The word ‘faculty’ means any branch or aggregate of branches of study in which degrees are conferred by the University. The scope of any faculty may be defined by the
38. There shall be such faculties in the University as the council, on the recommendation of the senate, shall from time to time determine.
39. There shall be a board of each faculty consisting of academic and other staff as defined by the senate. A meeting of the board of faculty can be instigated on the written request of twenty five or more members of academic staff from the faculty. The board of faculties may:
(1) discuss and declare an opinion on any matter whatsoever relating to the faculty or the University including any matters referred to it by the council or the senate;
(2) enter into communication with the council or the senate on any matter affecting the faculty or the University.
40. The council shall, after consultation with the senate, appoint an academic head of each faculty for a period fixed by the council.
Convocation
41. There shall be a convocation of the University consisting of the vice-chancellor, the deputy vice-chancellor, the pro-vice-chancellors, and all persons registered on or after the appointed day as members of the convocation.
42. A register of members of the convocation shall be kept by the registrar and the following shall be entitled to be registered as members of the convocation:
(1) all alumni of the University;
(2) those alumni of the University of Durham who were during their courses registered students of the Newcastle Division of the University of Durham before the appointed day;
(3) those alumni of the University of Durham who were during their courses matriculated students at Sunderland Technical College;
(4) such other persons or classes of persons as the court may from time to time decide upon the recommendation of the senate.
43. The convocation, from its own members, shall elect a chair and may elect a deputy chair, under procedures as the court may from time to time decide, taking into account any recommendation from convocation. The chair and deputy chair shall respectively hold office for three years. Any retiring chair or deputy chair shall be eligible for re-election subject to not holding the post for more than nine consecutive years in total. Neither the chair nor the deputy chair shall be a member of the salaried staff of the University.
44.
(1) The convocation shall hold at least one ordinary meeting in each year.
(2) An emergency meeting of the convocation may be summoned at any time by the vice-chancellor.
(3) Notice of meetings shall be communicated widely by appropriate media as the vice-chancellor may direct.
45. The quorum of the convocation for the despatch of business shall be thirty members, and if, after the expiration of half an hour from the time for which a meeting is summoned, a quorum has not been formed the meeting shall be dissolved.
46. The chair of convocation or, in the event of the office of chair being vacant, the deputy chair may at any time and shall upon the requisition in writing of not fewer than fifty members of the convocation stating the purpose for which the meeting is to be called, summon an extraordinary meeting of the convocation. The notice summoning the meeting shall specify the business to be No extraordinary meeting called upon the requisition of members for any purpose shall be held before the expiration of three months from the date of the last foregoing meeting summoned for the same, or substantially the same, purpose. If any question arises whether the purpose of the two meetings is or is not the same or substantially the same the decision of the chair or deputy chair (as the case may be) of convocation shall be final.
47. The convocation shall appoint the chancellor on the nomination of the court and the senate sitting in joint session.
48. The convocation may discuss and, if it thinks fit, make representations on any matter whatsoever relating to the University.
49. All questions in the convocation, except those concerning the election of the chair and deputy chair which shall follow the procedure agreed by court, shall be determined by the votes of the majority of members participating in the meeting and voting.
Appointment of Staff of the University
50. Staff shall be appointed in accordance with procedures approved by the council.
Removal of Chancellor
51. If, on the recommendation of the council, the court by a majority of two-thirds of its members present and voting represent to the visitor that the chancellor of the University should be removed, the visitor may remove the chancellor.
Suspension, Discipline, Capability, Dismissal and Grievances of Academic Staff
52. This statute relates to the suspension, discipline, dismissal and grievances of members of academic staff, as defined in statute 1, for whatever reason including conduct, performance and redundancy.
(1) General Principles of Construction and Application
(a) This statute and any policy, procedure, rule or regulation made under this statute shall be construed in every case to give effect to the following guiding principles, that is to say:
(1)to ensure that members of academic staff have freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions, without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs or privileges;
(2) to enable the University to provide education, promote learning and engage in research efficiently and economically; and
(3) to apply the principles of justice and fairness.
(b) Any reference in this statute to a provision in an Act of Parliament shall be taken to be a reference to that provision as amended or superseded from time to time.
(c) This statute will override any provision in any contract, term or condition of employment which is inconsistent with this statute, whether dated before or after the commencement of this statute.
(d) For the purposes of this statute the following terms shall bear the following meanings:-
(i) “dismissal” shall bear the same meaning as in section 95 of the Employment Rights Act 1996;
(ii) “dismissal by reason of redundancy” shall bear the same meaning as in section 139 of the Employment Rights Act 1996.
(e) The power to dismiss any member of academic staff by reason of redundancy, and the procedures prescribed in relation to such power, under this statute shall not apply to those members of academic staff defined in sub-sections
(3) to (6) of section 204 of the Education Reform Act 1988 (that is staff appointed prior to, and not promoted after, 20 November 1987), who shall for this purpose continue to be subject to such powers, if any, as applied to them prior to the introduction of the statute made by the University Commissioners in the exercise of their powers under sections 203 and 204 of the Education Reform Act 1988.
(2) Redundancy
The senate shall be notified of proposals to dismiss academic staff by reason of redundancy where that dismissal has significant implications for the academic character and mission of the University. No such redundancy shall take place until after the senate has had an opportunity to make representations to the council.
(3) Suspension
The vice-chancellor, or such persons designated in the relevant procedure, may suspend from duty, with pay, any member of academic staff to enable an appropriate investigation into alleged misconduct or in other circumstances where the continued presence at work of the individual would be prejudicial to the best interests of the University.
(4) Warnings and sanctions
(a) The vice-chancellor, or such persons designated in the relevant procedure, may discipline or apply other sanctions as prescribed in procedures to any member of academic staff to whom this statute applies.
(b) Where a member of academic staff has been disciplined or been subject to other sanctions, that member of academic staff may appeal against that decision on such grounds and following such procedure as the council may from time to time approve.
(5) Capability
(a) The vice-chancellor, or such persons designated in the relevant procedure, may apply cautions or take other action as prescribed in procedures to any member of academic staff to whom this statute applies.
(b) Where a member of academic staff has been cautioned or been subject to some other action, that member of academic staff may appeal against that decision on such grounds and following such procedures as the council may from time to time approve.
(6) Dismissal
(a) The vice-chancellor, or such persons designated in the relevant procedure, may dismiss any member of academic staff to whom this statute applies either with or without notice, as specified in the relevant procedure depending on the circumstances of the case, on any ground permitted by section 98 of the Employment Rights Act 1996.
(b) Where a member of academic staff has been dismissed pursuant to clause 6(a), that member of academic staff may appeal against the dismissal. Appeals against the dismissal of a member of academic staff shall be heard by a panel which includes a lay member of council and a senior member of academic staff nominated by the senate, neither of whom will have any connection with the employee concerned.
(7) Grievances
(a) Any member of academic staff to whom this statute applies may seek redress of a grievance relating to that staff member’s employment.
(b) If the member of academic staff is dissatisfied with the outcome of a grievance, that member of academic staff may appeal against that decision.
Vice-Chancellor
53. The council may request its chair to remove the vice-chancellor from office for good cause in accordance with the procedures approved by the council.
Newcastle University Students’ Union
54. In so far as it shall further the educational purposes of the University, there shall be a union of students which shall be called Newcastle University Students’ Union.
Joint activities with other organisations
55. The University shall, subject to the provisions of these statutes, have the power to co-operate by means of joint boards or otherwise with other organisations for the extension of university teaching and influence in academic matters, and for such purposes as the council may from time to time determine.
Patents and Inventions
56. No person shall, in connection with any invention, patent, process or manufacture, have authority to make representations on behalf of the University, or to enter into any contract in the like behalf or to be concerned in the like behalf in any transactions whatsoever relating thereto without the consent of the University body or officer authorised for this purpose by the council.
Procedure
57. (1) The following provisions shall, save and except where other provision is expressly made in these statutes, apply to the statutory bodies and each of them:
(a) any appointed member and the chair (other than an ex-officio chair) may resign. Any appointed member and the chair (other than an ex-officio chair) shall be eligible for reappointment. An appointed member need not be a member of the appointing body;
(b) any appointed member who is required by these statutes to possess any qualification shall, if ceasing to possess that qualification, vacate office;
(c) there shall be a quorum at any meeting of the statutory bodies when one hundred members, or not fewer than one-third of the members, whichever may be the smaller number are present, except in the case of the convocation where the quorum shall be thirty members. In the case of the council, the quorum shall, in addition, consist of a majority of lay members. Every matter shall be determined by the majority of the members present and voting on the question except where a higher proportion is required by the senate or the council. In case of equality of votes, the chair or other presiding officer shall have a second or casting vote;
(d) the statutory bodies may determine the time and place of their meetings and the procedure to be followed thereat;
(e) a member of the statutory bodies or any of them who is appointed to fill a casual vacancy shall hold office only for the unexpired term of office of that vacancy, provided that the unexpired term is one year or more;
(f) the term of office of the members of any of the statutory bodies shall begin on 1 August, other than members appointed to fill casual vacancies
arising during the course of the year;
(g) the statutory bodies may appoint such and so many committees consisting either wholly or partly of members of the body as they may respectively think fit; and the provisions of this statute shall apply to any committee of any of the statutory bodies except concerning a quorum at meetings of the audit committee where a specific requirement will be determined by the council;
(h) the statutory bodies may make regulations for the purpose of the exercise of any of their powers or the performance of any of their duties; provided that no such regulations shall be repugnant to law or to the statutes of the University;
(i) the proceedings of the statutory bodies shall not be invalidated by any vacancy in their number or by any defect in the appointment or qualifications of members;
(2) Any person appointed to an office under these statutes shall, except as otherwise provided in these statutes, be eligible for reappointment.
Amendment of Statutes
58. (1) The court may, on the recommendation of the council, make statutes altering, amending, adding to or repealing any of these statutes (except this statute), but no such statute shall be operative until allowed by His/Her Majesty in Council. No such statute shall be submitted to His/Her Majesty in Council unless it has been communicated to convocation and the academic board and any representations made by those bodies or either of them have been taken into account by the senate and the council. Before making any recommendation to the court under this statute the council shall consult the senate and shall convey the views of the senate to the court.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Statutory Instruments Act, 1946, the provisions of that Act shall not apply to an Order in Council or other document allowing a statute made under this statute.
Approved by the Privy Council at its meeting on 24 July 2023