We aim for the highest standards of consistency and fairness at every stage of selection. To help ensure the recommendations we make are based on fair and open selection, we run quality assurance checks throughout the selection process.
With selection exercise material, we:
- review it to ensure that the content does not unfairly advantage or disadvantage candidates from a particular legal background
- check to ensure the content and tone does not contain stereotypes (unless relevant to the exercise), colloquialisms or language that may be off‑putting, and that role play and scenarios feature a diverse range of characters
- test it with mock candidates and then make any adjustments needed
- carry out analysis after mock assessments to identify and address any issues
We also monitor the selection process by:
- observing live role plays, telephone assessments and interviews to ensure consistency
- monitoring the progression of candidate groups throughout each stage of the process with a view to identifying any possible unfairness
- carrying out equality impact assessments on all major changes to the selection process
In addition, we always:
- assign a Commissioner to each exercise to oversee quality assurance and fair selection
- ensure panel members are briefed on fair selection before each stage of a selection exercise
- consider reasonable adjustments at all stages of the process for candidates with physical, sensory and mental health disabilities, and long-term health conditions
The JAC has also asked independent experts to review parts of our selection process.
Advisory Group
The JAC Advisory Group, which is chaired by a JAC lay commissioner, is also part of the quality assurance process. The group meets every 6 weeks throughout the year and is made up of judges, practitioners and specialists.
The members of the Advisory Group are:
- Sue Hoyle, Lay Commissioner (Chair)
- Uchechi Igbokwe, Non-Legally Qualified Judicial Commissioner (Vice Chair)
- Rachel Barnes, Barrister
- Thaira Bibi, Immigration and Asylum Chamber Judge
- Gary Claeys, CILEX
- Stephen Climie, Circuit Judge
- Helen Goulding, JAC Panel Member
- Tim Gray, District Judge
- David Hoey, Employment Judge
- Carolyn Kirby, President of the Mental Health Review Tribunal (Wales)
- Paula McDonald, JAC Panel Member
- Erika Rackley, Legal Academic
- Angharad Start, Barrister
- Holly Stout, Upper Tribunal Judge
The group reviews test and selection material then highlights any possible issues for amending and correcting.