Chancellors of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the titular heads of those bodies, the office being honorary.
The Chancellor of the University of Oxford, by virtue of certain ancient charters confirmed by statute, enjoys the sole jurisdiction (in exclusion of the King Courts) when a scholar or privileged person is the defendant, over all civil actions and suits whatsoever, excepting where a right of freehold is concerned, and of all injuries and trespasses against the peace, mayhem and felony excepted, Brown v. Renouard, (1810) 12 East 12; Thornton v. Ford, (1812) 15 East 634; Ginnett v. Whittingham, (1886) 16 QBD 761; and these he is at liberty to try and determine, either according to the Common Law of the land, or according to the University Statutes and customs, at his discretion. The judge of the Chancellor's Court at Oxford is the Vice-Chancellor, or his deputy. By 5 & 26 Vict. c. 26, amending 17 & 18 Vict. c. 81, s. 45, the Court of the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford is now governed by the Common and Statute Law o the realm and no longer by the rules of the Civil Law. See Order in Council, August, 1894, applying the Rules of the Supreme Court relating to appeals from County Courts to this Court. See COUNTY COURT. And see 18 & 19 Vict. c. 36; 20 & 21 Vict. c. 25; and Judicature Act, 1925, s. 208.
A similar privilege was formerly enjoyed by the University of Cambridge, but the right of the University, or any member thereof, to claim conusance of any actions or criminal proceedings wherein any person who is not a member of the University is a party, has ceased.-'9 & 20 Vict. c. xviii., s. 18, and see (English) County Courts Act, 1934 (24 & 25 Geo. 5, c. 53), s. 192, which saves the rights, privileges and jurisdiction of the Chancellors of both University Courts. As to the disciplinary jurisdiction over women formerly exercised at Cambridge, see SPINNING HOUSE.