FAQs

This depends on the type of contract being signed, the value of the contract and other considerations. In order to determine who has authority to sign a document on behalf of Imperial, please see General Contract Law Guidance as well as Appendices to the Financial Regulations. 

The solicitors in the Legal and Regulatory Affairs Team act for the University and are not able to advise staff or students on personal matters. We are only able to advise on University matters. 

The common seal of Imperial is only to be used on documents where the seal is required by law. The law requires that all deeds entered into by Imperial will need to be sealed. All other agreements may be signed by the person/s authorised in accordance with the Financial Regulations.

Imperial executes deeds by affixing its common seal in the presence of two authorised Officers. The seal is held by the University Secretary.  If you have a document that needs to be sealed, please contact the University Governance team (university.governance@imperial.ac.uk) providing not less than seven days’ notice.

Yes, the words ‘Imperial’, 'Imperial College London' and ‘Imperial College’ are registered trademarks.  Imperial is also the registered owner of many other trademarks.  Please contact legal@imperial.ac.uk for further details.

If your contract relates to any type of research, or research collaboration, including confidential discussions with another party, exchange of materials, or any other research- related activity, please contact, and send your contract to, the relevant team within the Research Office. 

If your contract is for the purchasing or procurement of goods or services for Imperial, please contact, and send your contract to, the Procurement team.  

Any other contract involving the University - including any contract that it has been asked to sign, must be reviewed and approved in advance by our team.  Please send it to: legal@imperial.ac.uk

Sometimes the counterparty to an agreement will require that a Notary Public attest the signature and execution of a document. This often occurs where the counterparty is from another country.

In order to have such a document notarised, the services of a Notary Public may need to be engaged.

If you require the services of a Notary Public, the following firm is the closest to the South Kensington campus and may be in a position to assist: Salinger Solicitors & Notary Public. Please note we are unable to provide specific assurances regarding their services.

Contact legal@imperial.ac.uk with a brief outline of the matter on which you require advice or support. We will respond with details of the next steps to take and if we can assist.

It is important that the decision whether to enter into a relationship is made at the appropriate level of seniority within Imperial and that risks and potential mitigations are identified. All relationships with third parties entered into by Imperial should support and be consistent with Imperial’s mission, strategic aims and objectives.

Decisions about whether to enter into relationships must be made at the appropriate level of seniority and in accordance with the Financial Regulations Delegation of Authority Schedule: Governance | Administration and support services | Imperial College London. 

Please contact your HR contact for matters relating to employment of staff. Please contact the Insurance Team for advice relating to insurance matters. 

A deed is a document in writing which is usually executed in a special way, often under seal. The most common reason for using a deed is where one party is not providing consideration or where the parties wish the agreement to be enforceable for a longer period than the usual 6 years. Deeds are also required in respect of some property transactions.

Imperial executes deeds by affixing its Common Seal in the presence of two authorised College Officers. The Seal is held by the College Secretary. Please note that although the University is required to sign deeds under seal, the counterparty may not necessarily be required to do so.

For a list of Officers of the College authorised to witness the affixing of the Common Seal, please see Ordinance D3, Officers of the University. 

Imperial's full legal name is 'The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine'. 

Its registered address is: 

The faculty Building, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ.

The full legal name and registered address should be used on all letters, contracts, agreements and other written correspondence. 

Imperial is an independent corporation whose legal status derives from a Royal Charter granted under Letters Patent in 1907. Its objects, powers and framework of governance are set out in its Charter and Statutes, which were governed by Her Majesty The Queen in 1998. On 4 April 2007 a Supplemental Charter and Statutes were granted by Her Majesty. This Supplemental Charter, which came into force on the date of the College's Centenary, 8 July 2007, established the College as a university with the name and style of "The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine".

The University is an exempt charity (not a registered charity) by virtue of the Exempt Charities Order 1962, and the Second Schedule to the Charities Act 1993. This means that Imperial enjoys all the privileges of charitable status (including exemption from income and corporation tax on its activities to the extent that they are in support of its primary purposes) without the obligation to register with, or submit accounts and annual returns to, the Charity Commission.

In accordance with the Charities Act 2006, the Charity Commission appointed the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) as the principal regulator for all English higher education institutions. Consequently, HEFCE is responsible for ensuring the College complies with charity law.

Further details of Imperial's legal status and governance (including links to the College's Charter and Statutes) can be found at the University Governance page.

A list of Imperial’s subsidiaries as at the date of the most recently published Imperial Annual Report can be found at this link in the “Notes to the Financial Statements”.