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Fairness, challenge and public perspective – what lay panel members can bring to judicial appointments

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Ensuring that people who serve in our courts and tribunals are selected openly, fairly, and on merit is an important part of maintaining trust in our judicial system. The independent Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) leads this process for England and Wales – and at the heart of our selection panels are lay panel members – independent individuals from outside the judiciary who help assess candidates for judicial office.

Lay panel members bring wider recruitment experience and a public perspective into the room. They work alongside judges to review candidates’ applications, lead interviews and role plays, and provide clear, evidence-based assessments of candidates against the required judicial skills and abilities.

For Judith Cashmore-James, a former Director of HR and senior leader in the public sector, including as an Area Director with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) the appeal of this work was immediate:

I have a strong interest from my HR background in ensuring recruitment processes are effective, fair and transparent… I was keen to continue my public service, and this role looked a really good match.

Having worked within HMCTS and on Magistrate appointments, she saw the role as a way to continue supporting the justice system she already knew well.

Helen Goulding came from a very different route – starting in scientific research before moving into government and then setting up her own training business:

I’d done a lot of recruitment and trained people in how to interview… this role brought me back into public service again – it was perfect!

Different experiences and professional backgrounds are exactly what the JAC looks for when we recruit for these roles – we want panel members who reflect the diversity of modern society and bring fresh perspectives to decisions with a lifelong impact.

What do lay panel members bring?

Both Helen and Judith highlight the importance of rigour, independence and real-world insight:

We all bring professional experience of recruitment with a strong focus on fairness and robustness… the ability to challenge each other in discussions can only benefit a fair process.
Judith
We consider how it might feel to appear before that candidate in a court or tribunal… Do they create a fair environment where a person without legal representation could present their case?
Helen

JAC Panels are chaired by a lay member – ensuring interviews run smoothly and everyone is assessed consistently and fairly, and that all panel member views, lay and judicial, are fully taken into account.

How does the role work in practice?

Panel members receive structured training and ongoing support. As Helen explains, she designs and delivers induction sessions for new lay and judicial members, as well as for panel chairs – so everyone understands what to do. Judith said she found support readily available from JAC staff and policy teams to navigate any tricky issues fairly and quickly.

Each panel reviews candidate evidence in detail, interviews applicants and writes comprehensive reports that inform final appointment recommendations. The work can be intense – but rewarding:

Every exercise I learn something new…I enjoy the camaraderie and laughter that goes alongside the very serious nature of the work.
Judith
Interviewing is never boring… candidates’ examples are fascinating, sometimes moving, sometimes funny.
Helen

Both feel strongly that their contribution makes a meaningful difference:

I hope the way I lead my panel fosters an environment where all contributions are valued… ultimately arriving at fair decisions.
Judith

The new Judicial Skills and Abilities Framework is being rolled out and both Helen and Judith are helping train others to use it. It’s yet another way lay members help ensure a fair and evidence-based selection process.

As Judith puts it:

It is important to have lay members because it makes the process fairer and more transparent.

Lay panel members play an important part in protecting the excellence and integrity of our judiciary – and maintaining the confidence society places in it.

You can find out more about the role of panel members and panel member recruitment on the JAC website.