The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) identifies candidates for judicial roles in England and Wales. We also help fill positions for several specialist tribunals with UK-wide powers.
Our statutory duties are to:
- select candidates solely on merit
- select only people of ‘good character’
- have regard to the need to encourage diversity in the range of persons available for judicial selection
We also work hard to ensure our selection process is consistent, fair and free from bias.
Find out more about what we do
Read our latest business strategy on our website. You can also read our latest annual report (published July 2025).
Our structure and people
The JAC is an independent organisation that was founded in 2006. We are currently made up of 15 commissioners, supported by a senior leadership team, selection panel members and around 100 staff.
Publications
We report on our performance in our annual reports. We also publish other documents, including strategic business plans, statistical data and 6-monthly diversity updates.
Recent judgments
On Friday 16th February 2025, the JAC received the final judgment on the Ghosh vs JAC race discrimination case. The employment tribunal found strongly in the JAC’s favour, whereby claims of direct and indirect discrimination to Mr. Ghosh by the JAC have been dismissed.
The final judgment is available to read online here: Final judgment – Ghosh v JAC
Employment Tribunal decision of Rackham vs JAC published in 2022 on GOV.UK: Mr J Rackham v Judicial Appointments Commission