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President of the Family Division: December 2025

Published:

The Lord Chancellor has asked the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to convene a selection panel to recommend a new President of the Family Division, as successor to Sir Andrew McFarlane who is retiring at Easter 2026.

The exercise launches on 2 December 2025, and anyone interested in making an application should contact the JAC’s Head of Senior Appointments, Lisa Grant, for further information on the eligibility and selection criteria as well as the documentation required to make an application. The exercise closes for applications on 16 December 2025.

Candidates are expected to be of outstanding ability and save in exceptional circumstances, have sufficient directly relevant previous judicial experience. The meaning of “directly relevant experience” is sitting as a judge in a higher court.

Candidates are required to submit judgments as part of their application.

The highest judicial competence

  • The highest standing as a judge and lawyer, sufficient to preside in the Family Division of the Court of Appeal.
  • Demonstrates the ability to hear the most complex and high-profile cases, particularly those relating to family law.
  • Demonstrates the ability to command the confidence and respect of the judiciary, the legal profession and the public, through delivery of the highest quality judgments.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the diverse communities using the family justice system, an insight into their differing requirements and an appreciation of the impact of law on society.

Strategic leadership

  • Demonstrates an understanding of the family justice system, the scale of the challenges facing it, and the reforms needed.
  • Demonstrates the ability to lead, drive and deliver change and efficiency.
  • Demonstrates the ability to engage proactively and collaborate with the other professional bodies working in the family justice system.

Contextual awareness of the administration of justice

  • Demonstrates an appreciation of the constitutional, political and diversity issues which relate to the justice system.
  • Demonstrates the ability to deal with ministers and parliamentary committees.

Personal qualities

  • Demonstrates resilience and firmness of purpose.
  • Demonstrates the ability to engage and communicate effectively with the media, public and professional bodies, with judges at all levels and magistrates.
  • Demonstrates the ability to delegate through Boards and other bodies.
  • Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively and collegially with the Lady Chief Justice, Heads of Division, leadership judges, court users and officials both in and out of Court.

If you are interested in making an application and you think you have the requisite evidence to do so, please send an email to PFD25@judicialappointments.gov.uk in order to request an information pack.

All enquiries are dealt with in the strictest confidence.

See the notice of intent to apply document