Archive of the University of Liverpool: Records of the Court

Records of the Court include the following records:

• Court Registers
• Register of Governors
• Minutes of the Court
• Chancellor of the University of Liverpool

The constitution of University College was drawn up by a Special Committee on which the body of Donors and the original Town's Committee were equally represented. By the terms of the Letters Patent incorporating University College 18 October 1881 the supreme governing body of the College was designated the Court of Governors. The Court consisted of the President and Vice-Presidents of the College, a number of individuals named in the Letter Patent, contributors of £1,000 or upwards (contributors of £25 and over and under £1,000 to form an electoral body to elect a Governor), representatives of various universities, local boroughs, etc., the Principal and two professors chosen by the Senate, etc.

Under the Letters Patent of 15 July 1903 establishing an independent University of Liverpool the supreme governing body of the University was made the Court. The Court's membership - as that of University College's Court of Governors - comprised a number of life members, representatives of local bodies and a number of universities, M.P.s, the members of the Council, the deans of the Faculties, the professors, etc. The Court's membership has by the Letters Patent of 1 Aug. 1961, been slightly expanded.

Under the Letters Patent of 1903 and 1961 the membership of the Court has been divided into "Classes", a certain number of persons representing each class.

The Court has normally met once a year to receive a report on the University's work and a statement of income and expenditure and a balance sheet.

Access is open to bona fide researchers unless otherwise stated.