University governanceCourt Governance Committee

Terms of Reference

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Court Governance Committee is to support Court, the University’s governing body, in its fulfilment of good governance and in discharging its responsibilities effectively and efficiently in oversight of the University’s management and strategy.

Remit

It will be the responsibility of the Court Governance Committee (CGC):                                         

  • To advise and support Court on the overall governance of the University, and to make recommendations to Court, as appropriate.
  • To oversee and report on activities, including but not limited to the annual and quinquennial governance effectiveness reviews, which support governance practice and culture.
  • To ensure the University has met the governance principles and reporting requirements as set out in the Scottish Code of Good Higher Education Governance and by the Scottish Funding Council and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
  • To undertake other duties delegated to it by Court or as specified in the Schedule of Delegated Authority.
  • To support the Executive Team with the development and delivery of the University’s strategy and the long-term sustainability of the University.
  • To consider and advise Court on strategic policy development across all aspects of the University’s business.
  • To advise and support Court in the setting of its meeting agendas and other activities.
  • To oversee ad hoc committees and working groups that Court may wish to establish when a particular need arises.
  • To consider succession planning for the office of the Chancellor, including considering named individuals as potential candidates for this office, and making recommendations to Court and Senate on this matter as and when appropriate.
  • To oversee the establishment of an appointment committee when a vacancy in the position of Convener of Court arises.
  • To oversee the establishment of an appointment committee when a vacancy in the position of Principal and Vice-Chancellor arises.
  • To consider the nominations of the Vice-Convener and Deputy Conveners (or other identified positions on Court) and the length of term of such appointments.
  • To consider nominations of named individuals to be considered as potential lay members of Court.
  • To make recommendations to Court on the filling of all vacancies of committees of Court as these arise, including externally co-opted members, and to keep Court informed of the membership of these committees.
  • To consider the matter of succession planning in relation to membership of Court, the relevant committees of Court and to the University committees which include representation from Court.

 The Committee will monitor and keep under review its own effectiveness and make recommendations to Court with respect to this.

Membership

Court Governance Committee shall consist of:

  • The Convener of Court (in the Chair) ex officio
  • The Vice-Convener of Court ex officio 
  • The Deputy Convener (Staffing) ex officio
  • The Deputy Convener (Finance) ex officio
  • The Chair of Audit and Risk Committee ex officio
  • The Principal ex officio
  • The Vice-Principal ex officio
  • A student member of Court 
  • A staff member of Court

The following will normally attend meetings of CGC:

  • The University Secretary
  • The Director of Strategic Planning
  • The Joint Heads of Governance (Clerk to Court)

The Deputy Conveners, Senior Officers, members of Court and other University members of staff might attend meetings by invitation, on a regular or occasional basis as CGC itself shall determine.

Chairing and Quorum

In the absence of the Convener of Court, the CGC will be chaired by the Vice Convener of Court, failing whom a lay member of Court will take the chair.  The quorum for the CGC will be half of its members plus one being present provided that includes at least two lay members of Court, and two Court members who are not lay members, one of whom is the Principal or the Vice Principal.

Approved by Court on 11 March 2026.