Judicial Appointments Commission

The Judicial Appointments Commission selects candidates for judicial office in England and Wales, and for some tribunals with UK-wide powers.

It is our statutory duty to select people on merit, who are of good character. We believe the judiciary should reflect the society it serves and we aim to attract diverse applicants from a wide field. We work closely with a range of organisations to promote vacancies to all those who are eligible.

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Targeted Outreach programme

Supporting candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, solicitor candidates, female candidates and those with a declared disability.

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Announcements

Appointment of High Court Judge: Ruth Henke KC

21 September 2023

The King is pleased to approve the appointment of a Justice of the High Court. This appointment will take effect from 29 September  2023.

The candidate approved as a High Court Judge is Ruth Henke KC, following an open competition run by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).

This appointment will fill a vacancy in the High Court following elevations to the Court of Appeal and confirmed retirements.

You can read her bio here.

Read the full announcement here.

JAC Annual Report and accounts 2022-23

18 July 2023

The JAC’s annual report and accounts have been laid before Parliament and published today. The report contains a range of information about the work of the Commission from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

During the year, we completed 36 exercises with 7,366 applications and made 1,094 recommendations.

Read the Annual Report here

Latest statistics report gives further insight into diversity in the judiciary

13 July 2023

Latest statistics report gives further insight into diversity in the judiciary

Today, the Judicial Diversity Forum (JDF), which is chaired by the JAC, has published the annual Diversity of the Judiciary combined statistics report.

The combined statistical report, first published in 2020, brings together in-depth data from the legal professions, judicial appointments and the current judiciary.

The statistics provide detailed data which offers clear evidence to help the JDF target and tailor support to underrepresented groups in the judiciary and tackle the challenges of increasing diversity at all levels.

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The Board of Commissioners

Helen Pitcher OBE

Helen Pitcher was appointed Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission on 1 January 2023.

Helen Pitcher OBE is currently Chairman of the: Criminal Case Review Commission: the Public Chairs Forum and; Advanced Boardroom Excellence Ltd. Ms Pitcher is also a Non-Executive Director at UB UK (part of Yildz Holdings). Prior to this Ms Pitcher was: Chairman of Pladis Global between 2015-19; the Queen’s Counsel Selection Panel between 2009-17 and; Director at Saville Group PLC between 2008-13.

The Commission

Members come from a wide background to ensure the Commission has a breadth of knowledge, expertise and independence.

The Chairman of the Commission is a lay member. 

Of the 14 other Commissioners:

  • 6 must be judicial members (including 2 tribunal judges)
  • 2 must be professional members (each of which must hold a qualification listed below but must not hold the same qualification as each other)
  • 5 must be lay members
  • 1 must be a non-legally qualified judicial member

The legal qualifications are:

  • Barrister in England and Wales
  • Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
  • Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives

Appointment of Commissioners