JAC Board minutes April 2025

Published:

18 June 2025

Approved minutes from the April 2025 JAC Commission Board

10 April 2025

Present (Back to top)

Commissioners:

Helen Pitcher (Chairman)
Mark Warby (Vice Chair)
Nicolina Andall
Noel Arnold
Christopher Bones
Tom Cross
Sue Hoyle
Uchechi Igbokwe
Tanweer Ikram
Adam Johnson
Clare McGlynn
Barry Morgan
Greg Sinfield

Staff:

Chief Executive
Deputy Chief Executive/Head of Strategy and Policy
Head of Operational Delivery
Head of Senior Appointments
Senior Policy Advisor
Selection Exercise Manager
Head of Secretariat
Secretariat Manager
Senior Executive Assistant
Secretariat Support Officer

1. Apologies and matters arising (Back to top)

The minutes of the 13 March 2025 meeting were agreed.

Apologies were received from Angela Rafferty.

2. Senior President of Tribunals (Back to top)

The Senior President of Tribunals delivered a presentation on the work of the
Tribunals, and the importance of continued co-operation with the JAC to ensure effective recruitment to the Tribunals judiciary.

3. Chief Executive’s Report and Management Information Pack (Back to top)

The Chief Executive provided an update on:

the 2024/25 budget allocation.
the 2024/25 Judicial recruitment programme.
performance against the 2024-25 Business Plan.
JAC accommodation update.
an update on complaints and ongoing litigation (legally privileged).

4. Report back from Working Groups (Back to top)

The Chairman asked Commissioners to report back on recent meetings of
committees and working groups.

Digital Board

Christopher Bones reported back on the Digital Board meeting which took place on 27 March 2025. The Digital Board:

Discussed the findings of a Scott Logic-led tech stack review of the JAC digital platform.
Reviewed progress against the Digital Board Roadmap.
Reviewed the corporate response to a digital incident which resulted in the
deferral of a Qualifying Test.

5. Chairman’s Report (Back to top)

The Chairman reported back on the following:

The Chairman took part in the Chancellor of the High Court Selection Day on 25 March.
The Chairman attended the Senior Salaries Review Body oral evidence session on 26 March.
The Chairman took part in the Court of Appeal Selection Days between 31
March and 3 April.
The Chairman and Vice Chairman met with Forvis Mazars to discuss the draft
Board Effectiveness Review report on 7 April.

6. Board Effectiveness Review Report Back (Back to top)

Representatives of Forvis Mazars presented an early draft of the recommendations included in their Board Effectiveness Review. These recommendations were subject to change ahead of the finalised report’s completion.

The Board noted the presentation and future timelines for completion of the Board Effectiveness Review.

7. JAC Business Plan 2025-2026 (Back to top)

The Deputy Chief Executive presented the draft JAC Business Plan 2025-2026.

The Board noted and agreed the proposed Business Plan.

8. Annual Review of Indicators for Exercise Length (Back to top)

The Head of Operational Delivery presented the paper on the Annual Review of
Indicators for Exercise Length.

The Board noted the Review and agreed to the proposals.

9. 262 District Judge – Process Paper (Back to top)

The Selection Exercise Manager presented the paper on the selection process for the 262 District Judge exercise.

The Board agreed to the proposals.

10. Statutory Consultation Forward Programme (Back to top)

The Senior Policy Advisor presented the paper on the Statutory Consultation Forward Programme.