The governance framework in most pre-1992 universities is set down in the charter, statutes and ordinances. Charters give the council (governing body) general control over the affairs of the institution, specifically the management and administration of the finances and property. Most of these institutions were established by Royal Charter; as such they are formally chartered corporations and are often referred to as 'chartered universities'. More detailed duties are usually contained in the statutes. The structures in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are very similar, but there are some differences in 
Scotland.
A few pre-1992 universities were established by a specific Act of Parliament; they are known as statutory corporations, as their Acts include their statutes. Their internal structures of governance are similar to those of chartered corporations. There are also a few institutions set up as companies limited by guarantee, and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge have neither a Royal Charter nor an Act of Parliament, but a body of statutes.
Although the councils of pre-1992 universities are formally responsible for the oversight of the whole institution, and most have accepted that they have "unambiguous and collective responsibility" (as described in the CUC Guide) there is usually a distinct role for the senate or academic board. Charters and statutes set out the senate's role as the body with responsibility for academic matters and the oversight of teaching, examining and research. In the pre-1992 universities there are usually a number of council members nominated by the senate, often together with academic staff elected by and from the whole of the academic staff. In addition, some senior staff may have ex-officio membership of both senate and council. Thus there is usually a significant awareness in the council of the status and role of the senate, which will soon be apparent to new independent members.