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Vol/54 No/4 2015 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER The Linguist 25 A history of the Institute in 6 objects FEATURES A Royal Charter grants certain rights and privileges. They were, and still are, used to establish significant organisations, such as cities and universities. They used to be the sole means by which an incorporated body could be formed, but now registration under the Companies Act is the most common method, with royal charters reserved, in the main, for learned societies, professional institutions, charities and livery companies. The Institute this year celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Charter of Incorporation, granted by the Privy Council held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 19 July 2005. It takes the form of an open letter from the Sovereign printed on vellum. The Queen does not sign the document itself but rather the warrant authorising the application of the Great Seal, which hangs from the Charter. Institute records from the 1950s mention an aspiration of one day seeking a Royal Charter, and in the mid-1990s an informal approach was made. However, it was the Institute's strategic conference of 1998 and the optimism of a new millennium which, perhaps, cemented Council's resolve in 2002 to draw up plans to petition formally. From the outset, one of the aims was also to offer the status of Chartered Linguist to suitably qualified individuals. Initially this was envisaged for our members only, but if we were seeking this for the public benefit and for the enhancement of the profession of all linguists, then why not include members of kindred bodies, such as the ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpreting) and AIIC (the International Association of Conference Interpreters)? A Working Party (formed of the Executive Committee, together with representation from each Division) was established to explore how the designation 'Chartered Linguist' might be shaped and separate meetings were held with the other membership bodies to enlist their support. In parallel, work was undertaken to convert our existing governance provisions into the format appropriate to Charter, By-Laws and Rules. The drafting required for the Petition was approved by the membership at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 6 March 2004. We then had to furnish the Privy Council Office with a list of 'supporters' from the many stakeholders in both the public and private sectors, who would be asked to attest to our institutional and professional standing. The other language membership bodies would also be consulted. This required some delicate diplomacy and assurances as to inclusion in Chartered Linguist status, as they were naturally concerned by the competitive advantage and prominence that chartered status for the Institute would imply. In the end, it was all satisfactorily resolved, the Charter was granted and formally celebrated at a reception in the presence of our Royal Patron, HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 27 September 2005. Why was it significant? The grant of a Charter to a professional institution is not by any means a formality. The Privy Council (effectively, the Government) needs to be satisfied that the body seeking the Charter is fully representative of a specific profession; that it is in a position to require the highest professional standards of competence and conduct; and that it is able to provide redress where a member falls short of professional standards. Thus a Royal Charter has become the gold standard for the professions, acting as a guarantee that all who use the services of a Chartered professional may do so in complete confidence. The underlying criterion for the grant of a Charter is the public interest. The Government is affirming to the public that the Institute demonstrates 'pre-eminence, stability and permanence' in its particular field. Over these ten years, the status of 'Chartered Linguist' has evolved; it is now over to the profession to develop it to its best advantage. John Hammond reflects on the Royal Charter 10 years after the successful petition John Hammond was Chairman of the Institute's Council 2002-2005 and Chief Executive 2005-2010. TL