Royal Charter

Royal Charter is a formal document issued by a Monarch granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities, universities and companies and to define their privileges and purpose.

History

The history of Royal Charters dates back to the medieval period in Europe, where they were traditionally used to create public and private corporations including towns and cities, and to define their privileges and purpose. The oldest surviving Royal Charter was issued by King Hlothhere of Kent to the Abbot of Reculver in 679 AD.

Characteristics

A Royal Charter is a way of incorporating a body, that is turning it from a collection of individuals into a single legal entity. A charter gives a body corporate legal personality, and allows it to be involved in legal proceedings, to make rules and bylaws, and to own property.

Modern Use

In modern times, Royal Charters are typically used to establish and define the terms of new charitable organizations, professional bodies and public authorities. In the United Kingdom, they continue to be important in the establishment of self-regulating professional bodies.

Examples

Some notable examples of organizations created by Royal Charter include the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the Bank of England, and the Royal Society.

See Also

• Letters patent
• Charter
• Corporation
• Chartered (professional)