About Judicial appointments commission
The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is an independent public body that was established in 2006 to select and recommend candidates for judicial appointments in England and Wales. The JAC is responsible for ensuring that the judiciary reflects the diversity of society, and that appointments are made on merit.
The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary of England and Wales is a complex system of courts, tribunals, judges, magistrates, and other legal professionals. It plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law, protecting individual rights, resolving disputes fairly and efficiently, and maintaining public confidence in the justice system.
The JAC works closely with the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary to identify suitable candidates for judicial roles at all levels. This includes High Court judges, Circuit judges, District judges, Tribunal judges, Coroners, Recorders (part-time judges), Deputy High Court Judges (retired or part-time), Fee-paid Judges (part-time), Magistrates' court chairs or members.
The JAC's selection process is rigorous but fair. It involves assessing candidates against a set of competencies that are relevant to the role they are applying for. These competencies include legal knowledge and understanding; intellectual capacity; personal qualities such as integrity; communication skills; working with others; diversity awareness; resilience under pressure.
Candidates who meet these criteria will be invited to attend an interview or assessment centre where they will be further tested on their suitability for the role. The final decision on whether to appoint a candidate rests with the Lord Chancellor who must consult with senior members of the judiciary before making any appointment.
In addition to its core function of selecting judicial candidates based on merit alone without regard to political affiliation or other factors unrelated to ability ,the JAC also provides advice on matters relating to judicial appointments such as training requirements , career development opportunities etc .
One key aspect of this work involves promoting greater diversity within the judiciary by encouraging applications from underrepresented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities. The JAC has set targets for increasing the diversity of the judiciary and is committed to working towards these goals.
The JAC also plays an important role in maintaining public confidence in the justice system by ensuring that appointments are made on merit alone without regard to political affiliation or other factors unrelated to ability. This helps to ensure that judges are seen as impartial and independent, which is essential for maintaining public trust in the judiciary.
In addition to its core functions, the JAC also provides a range of information and resources for those interested in pursuing a career in law or becoming a judge. This includes guidance on how to apply for judicial roles, information about training requirements and career development opportunities, as well as news and updates about the latest developments within the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.
Overall, the Judicial Appointments Commission plays a vital role in ensuring that England and Wales have a fair, impartial, diverse judiciary that reflects society's values. Its work is essential for upholding the rule of law , protecting individual rights , resolving disputes fairly ,and maintaining public confidence in our justice system .