University of London Bill
A
BILL
To make new provision for the making of statutes for the University of London; and for
related purposes.
WHEREAS—
(1)
The University of London (“the University”) was first incorporated by Royal
Charter granted on 28 November 1836 and is now incorporated by Royal
Charter granted on 6 January 1863:
(2)
The provisions relating to the making of statutes for the University are set out
5in the University of London Act 1994 (“the 1994 Act”) and the statutes are now
made by the Board of Trustees of the University:
(3)
The 1994 Act does not contemplate that the University educational, academic
or research institutions may obtain university status in their own right:
(4)
The provisions of the 1994 Act would benefit from modernising in other
10respects:
(5)
It is therefore expedient that provision be made to modernise the process for
making statutes for the University:
(6) The purposes of this Act cannot be effected without the authority of Parliament:
(7)
The consent of the Charity Commission to the University defraying expenditure
15
incurred in the preparation and promotion of the Bill for this Act, as required
by section 74 of the Charities Act 2011, has been obtained:
May it therefore please your Majesty that it may be enacted, and be it enacted, by the
Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords
Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by
20the authority of the same, as follows:―
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1 Citation
This Act may be cited as the University of London Act 2017.
2 Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires―
5“the 1994 Act” means the University of London Act 1994;
“the Board” means the Board of Trustees of the University, or such other
body as the statutes may from time to time designate as the governing
body of the University;
“the charter” means the charter incorporating the University granted by Her
10late Majesty Queen Victoria on 6 January 1863;
“the Collegiate Council” means the Collegiate Council of the University,
or such other body as the statutes may from time to time designate as
the body responsible for determining, and advising the Board of, the
collective view of the Member Institutions on all matters concerning the
U15niversity;
“the Council” means the body formerly designated under the statutes as the
governing and executive body of the University;
“the Court” means the body formerly known as the Court of the University;
“Member Institution” means an educational, academic or research institution
20which is a constituent member of the University and has for the time
being―
(a) the status of a college under the statutes; or
(b) the status of a university;
“the ordinances” means the ordinances of the University as made from time
25to time;
“the Senate” means the body formerly designated as the Senate under the
statutes;
“the statutes” means the statutes of the University having effect from time
to time; and
30“the University” means the University of London.
3 Power to make statutes
(1) The Board may alter, revoke or add to the statutes.
(2)
The Collegiate Council may submit proposals to the Board for altering,
revoking or adding to the statutes under subsection (1), which the Board must
35consider.
(3)
If the Board is minded to exercise the power in subsection (1), it must first
consult―
(a)
the Collegiate Council, in any case when the Collegiate Council has not
submitted proposals under subsection (2); and
(b) 40such other persons as it considers appropriate.
(4)
The Board must give the Collegiate Council reasons if it is not minded to give
effect to, or is minded materially to alter, any proposals submitted by the
Collegiate Council under subsection (2).
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(5)
In exercising the power in subsection (1), the Board must consider any responses
to consultation carried out under subsection (3) and act in accordance with the
procedures contained in the ordinances relating to decisions of the Board.
(6)
Nothing done under subsection (1) has the effect of amending the charter or
5any instrument of government of any Member Institution.
4 Approval of statutes
(1)
No alteration, revocation or addition to a statute under section 3 (power to
make statutes) has effect until it has been approved by the Privy Council.
(2) Her Majesty may, by Order in Council, repeal subsection (1).
5 10Construction of instruments
Any scheme, will, deed, contract, conveyance, transfer, lease, licence or other
instrument (whether made or executed before or after the passing of this Act)
has effect (except where the context otherwise requires) as if―
(a)
for any reference (however worded) describing or otherwise referring
15to a body as a School of the University there is substituted a reference
describing or otherwise referring to that body as a Member Institution;
and
(b)
for any reference (however worded) to the Senate, the Court or the
Council there is substituted a reference to the Board.
6 20Repeal of the 1994 Act
The 1994 Act is repealed.
7 Savings
(1)
Nothing in this Act affects those provisions of the charter by which the
University is incorporated with perpetual succession and a common seal with
25power to sue and be sued and to purchase, take on lease, hold and dispose of
land and other property.
(2)
Subject to any alteration, revocation or addition made in accordance with the
provisions of this Act, the statutes in force immediately before the passing of
this Act continue to have effect.