How LSE Works
LSE is a company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity. Here you can find information about how we are regulated, our governing documents and key publications. You can also find guidance on chairing and servicing committees at LSE.
Our legal and constitutional framework
LSE is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act (company no. 70527). It is a higher education institution and also an exempt charity. Council members are company directors, charity trustees and members of the company as well as governors of a higher education institution.
We are required to comply with a range of legal and regulatory requirements. The Office for Students is the independent regulator of higher education in England.
The School is principally governed by its Articles of Association. The Articles describe the object and powers of LSE and define its governance arrangements, which are further described in the Council Standing Orders, LSE Byelaws and other governance documents.
The Higher Education Code of Governance published by the Committee of University Chairs identifies key values and practices for the effective governance of universities in the UK.
Governance and Management Structures
The School's governance and management structures can be seen here
An overview of our governance structures:
Legal Structure
The London School of Economics and Political Science holds the dual status of a private company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity. It is regulated by the Office for Students.
The legal governance structure of the School is laid down in its Memorandum and Articles of Association [PDF]
For more information, view the formal legal framework at LSE
Council
The School's governing body, with ultimate strategic responsibility for the affairs of the School, is Council, chaired by Susan Liataud. Council is also the Trustee/Company Board and its members are the Trustees/Company Directors. The Council also has a number of committees.
Court
Court is an advisory body to the school. Its members are drawn from a wide cross-section of society. They bring a great deal of knowledge and experience to act in an advisory and advocacy capacity on behalf of the school.
Academic Board
The Board reports to Council and is the principal academic committee of the School. It has responsibility for monitoring and upholding the academic standards of the School and for regulating teaching.
Its membership includes student representatives and the majority of academic and research staff. The Academic Board also has a number of committees.
Find out more about Academic Board and its committees
School Management Committee (SMC)
The School’s decision-making body for management and operational issues, the SMC provides recommendations on strategic decision-making to Council and its committees. It includes the Director, School Secretary and the other senior managers in the School.
Find out more about the School Management Committee
Other Committees
In addition, there are a wide range of School-level consultative groups involving staff and/or students.
See an A-Z list of all Committees and working groups