Suzanna Jacoby: Specialist Member of the Upper Tribunal

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“The JAC was very supportive and encouraging in their communications with me throughout the application process. The process was lengthy, but well worth the wait… I suffer somewhat from ‘imposter syndrome’ and didn’t think that I would be successful in my application to the JAC!“

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Background

I am a qualified social worker and my background is as an Expert Witness and former CEO of a foster care company. I still practise as a social worker, and the majority of my other work is adjudicating on fitness to practise hearings for six health and social work regulators in the UK, including the Nursing & Midwifery Council, Social Work England, General Chiropractic Council and Farriers Registration Council.

I was born in London and am of Moroccan and Dutch heritage. I live with my partner, James, and our beloved rescue house rabbit!

The application

Due to my experience adjudicating on fitness to practise tribunal hearings and as an expert witness, working for the Judiciary seemed like the ideal career progression. I wanted to offer my experience in safeguarding, social work and court work to the Judiciary.

After completing an application form, sitting online tests and undergoing two virtual interviews, I received the incredible news that I had been appointed to the Upper Tribunal as a Specialist Member (and also to the First-tier Care Standards Tribunal)!

The role

I have now been sitting on Upper Tribunal hearings in court at the Rolls Building in London, as well as on virtual hearings and occasionally at other courts around the UK, since 2021. I have loved every minute of it! The work is fascinating, challenging and always very rewarding and fulfilling. There is preparatory work to do before hearings, including reading bundles of evidence, and other work to do after hearings. Teamwork is integral to the work as we sit in court as a panel of three (with another Specialist Member and an Upper Tribunal Judge).

I was fully trained in advance of commencing this role and there is ongoing training available. There is constant access to support and advice, should we need it. There are also opportunities to be appointed to other jurisdictions in the Judiciary. For example, I was internally appointed to sit on the Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal late last year.

The Upper Tribunal is comprised of a small team of judges, specialist members, court clerks and administrative staff, all of whom are incredibly friendly, supportive and down to earth. I feel very fortunate to be in this role, to be a judicial office holder and to be part of this exceptional team.

Other specialists

Find out more about the wide range of people working in non-legal roles.

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