Moving to a unified framework for assessing Judicial Skills and Abilities

As Chief Executive of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), I want to update you on a significant change that will affect how we assess candidates for judicial appointment – and how that change will be introduced over the coming months.

From October 2025, the JAC will begin implementing the Judicial Skills and Abilities Framework (JSAF) across our selection exercises. The new framework, developed following an extensive review led by Lady Justice Falk and supported by a steering group that included JAC Commissioners, represents a major step forward in aligning the standards used for recruitment, training, and appraisal of judges.

For the first time, there will be a single, unified framework in operation across the judiciary, aimed at improving clarity, consistency, and fairness for everyone who applies, serves, or progresses within the judicial system. For recruitment, this will replace the previous competency-based framework.

Phased transition

We know that a change of this scale brings questions, especially when it comes to something as important as the assessment process. That’s why I want to set out clearly what candidates can expect:

• The JSAF will apply to all exercises launching from Autumn 2025 onward
• Due to the nature and timing of some exercises, the previous competency-based framework will remain in use for a period of up to a year, as those exercises conclude
• Most of this transition period will last approximately eight months, during which time both frameworks will be in operation, depending on the exercise

To support you through this transition, the JAC will continue to provide comprehensive and transparent guidance via our website and our candidate resources. Every selection exercise will clearly indicate which framework is in use, and tailored materials will help you to understand what is expected and how to prepare.

The list of exercises which will and will not adopt the JSAF has been published on our website.

Supporting candidates

The revised JSAF maintains the high standards rightly expected of judicial office holders while improving consistency across the appointments process. It provides a clearer structure, with the following core areas:

Legal and Judicial Skills:

• legal skills
• dealing with information

Communication Skills and Personal Qualities:

• effective working
• leadership (for applicable roles)

This will help ensure that all those entering or progressing through the judiciary are assessed in a consistent and transparent way, whether they are applying for their first judicial role or seeking promotion.

The JAC is committed to:

• providing clear, accessible information to help candidates prepare thoroughly and apply when they are ready
• tailoring our guidance and support throughout the process so that everyone involved understands the changes and how they affect their role
• transparency in how we communicate updates to candidates, staff, panel members, and our Commissioners

We recognise that this is an important shift in how judicial skills are assessed, and we are doing all we can to make the transition as smooth and clear as possible for all involved.

We will continue to provide updates in the months ahead, and I encourage all candidates to refer to our guidance materials regularly for the most up-to-date information.

Thank you for your continued engagement with the JAC and your commitment to serving the justice system.

Alex McMurtrie, Chief Executive of the Judicial Appointments Commission