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JAC Board minutes March 2025

Published:

Approved minutes from the March 2025 JAC Commission Board

13 March 2025

Present (Back to top)

Commissioners:

Helen Pitcher (Chairman)
Nicolina Andall
Noel Arnold
Christopher Bones
Uchechi Igbokwe
Tanweer Ikram
Adam Johnson
Clare McGlynn
Barry Morgan
Angela Rafferty
Greg Sinfield

Staff:

Chief Executive
Deputy Chief Executive/ Head of Strategy and Policy
Head of Operational Delivery
Head of Selection Policy
Head of Corporate Services
Head of Targeted Outreach and Research
Head of Digital Delivery and Programme Office
Head of Diversity, Engagement and Communications
Head of Analysis and Insight
Senior Policy Advisor
Head of Secretariat
Secretariat Manager
Senior Executive Assistant
Secretariat Support Officer

1. Apologies and matters arising (Back to top)

The minutes of the 13 February 2025 meeting were agreed.

Apologies were received from Mark Warby, Tom Cross and Sue Hoyle.

2. 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)

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

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

Welsh Matters Committee

Barry Morgan reported back from the Welsh Matters Committee which met on 13 February 2025. The Welsh Matters Committee:

  • Received an update regarding the progress of the ongoing review of devolved tribunals within Wales.
  • Received an update on a meeting JAC officials held with the Compliance officer of the Welsh Language Commissioner.
  • Considered a paper containing a proposed memorandum of understanding
    between the JAC and relevant business partners in relation to Welsh language assessment.

Audit and Risk Committee

Nicolina Andall reported back on the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) meeting which took place on 27 February 2025. The Committee:

  • Reviewed the JAC corporate risk register and assessed its effectiveness in capturing current operational and reputational risks to the organisation.

Advisory Group

Uche Igbokwe reported back on the Advisory Group meeting which took place on 5 March 2025. The Group:

  • Considered the Scenario Test for Deputy District Judge.
  • Considered the Situational Questions for:
    • High Court Judge
    • Lay Members, Welsh Language Tribunal
    • King’s Bench Master
    • Fee-paid Appointed Person, Appeal Tribunal (for both Trade Marks and Registered and Unregistered Designs
    • Salaried Judge of the First-tier Tribunal
  • Received an update on policy issues, including the new Judicial Skills and
    Abilities Framework.

4. Chairman’s Report (Back to top)

The Chairman reported back on the following:

  • The Chairman met with The Lady Chief Justice on the 25th February.
  • The Chairman met with Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar Council on the 12th March.
  • The Chairman, as well as the Commissioners, met for the Board Commissioner Dinner on 12th March

Commissioners reported back on the following:

  • Adam Johnson attended an outreach seminar for the Business and Property
    Court for legal professionals.
  • Nicolina Andall attended the annual Women in the Law Conference and gave
    an outreach presentation.

5. Information Management and Assurance (Back to top)

The Head of Corporate Services presented the proposed approach for governance of information management and assurance.

The Board agreed to the proposals.

6. Statutory Consultation Evaluation (Back to top)

The Senior Policy Advisor presented the evaluation of the changes to the operation of statutory consultation.

The Board discussed the emerging findings and agreed next steps to include
discussion with Judicial Diversity Forum partners.

7. Candidate Grading and Assessment (Back to top)

The Head of Selection Policy presented the paper on candidate grading and
assessment in the instance of a candidate receiving a single ‘D’ grade during
assessment.

The Board endorsed the update.

8. Review of s94 list (for 00186 Judge of the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber) (Back to top)

The Head of Digital Delivery and Programme Office presented the proposed
approach to the s94 list for the 00186 Judge of the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber.

The Board agreed to the proposals.

9. Two-year Evaluation of Targeted Outreach Programme (Back to top)

The Head of Targeted Outreach and Research presented a paper outlining a two year evaluation of the Targeted Outreach programme, following the re-launch of the expanded programme in April 2023.

The Board noted the update.

10. Forward Look and AOB (Back to top)

The Board noted the 2025 Forward Look, and the Chairman confirmed the next Board meeting will be held on 10 April 2025.

The Chairman noted that the Senior President of Tribunals would be a guest at the April Board.

This concluded the business of the Board.