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© Copyright, Judicial Appointments Commission 2026.

JAC Board minutes February 2026

Published:

12 February 2026

Present (Back to top)

Commissioners

Adam Johnson (Acting Vice-Chair)
Nicolina Andall
Noel Arnold
Tom Cross
Chris Bones
Siwan Davies
Tony Harking
Uchechi Igbokwe
Clive Lane
Clare McGlynn
Sarah Pittam
Angela Rafferty

Staff

Chief Executive
Deputy Chief Executive/ Head of Strategy and Policy
Head of Operations and Digital
Head of Operational Delivery
Head of Senior Appointments
Head of Digital Delivery and Programme Office
Head of Selection Policy
Head of Diversity, Engagement and Communications
Senior Policy Advisor
Senior Selection Exercise Manager
Selection Exercise Manager
Head of Secretariat
Secretariat Manager
Senior Executive Assistant
Secretariat Support Officer

1. Apologies and matters arising (Back to top)

1.1. The minutes of the 11 December Board Meeting and the 29 January Extraordinary Board Meeting were agreed.
1.2. Apologies were received from Tan Ikram.
1.3. As a matter arising, it was noted that since the Extraordinary Commission Board meeting of 29 January, the Vice Chair of the JAC Mark Warby had stood down. Commissioner Adam Johnson is now Acting Vice Chair, until such time as a
replacement is appointed. As Acting Vice Chair, Adam Johnson will also be taking on aspects of the Chair role, in line with JAC Regulations, and as agreed by the
Commission Board on 29th January.
1.4. It was noted that this agreement was still in effect, and would continue to be
implemented with Adam Johnson now as Acting Vice Chair, supported by the JAC
Commission Governance Group.

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

2.1. The Chief Executive provided an update on:

  • the 2025/26 budget allocation.
  • the 2025/26 Judicial recruitment programme.
  • performance against the 2025-26 Business Plan.
  • an update on complaints and ongoing litigation (legally privileged).

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

3.1. The Chair asked for report backs on recent meetings of committees and working groups.

Advisory Group

3.2. Uche Igbokwe reported back on the Advisory Group meeting which took place on 9 December . The Advisory Group discussed:

Qualifying Tests were discussed for the following exercises:

  • Fee-paid Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (00287)
  • Judge of the First-tier Tribunal, Immigration and Asylum Chamber (00292)

Scenario Tests were discussed for the following exercises:

  • Fee-paid Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (00287)
  • Fee-paid Judge, First-tier Tribunal, Immigration and Asylum Chamber (00289)

Situational Questions were discussed for the following exercises:

  • Senior Civil Circuit Judge (00274)
  • Chamber President of the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration Asylum Chamber) and Chamber President of the First-tier Tribunal (War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber) (00273)
  • Legal Members of the Adjudication Panel for Wales (00308)
  • Senior Chair of the Health Service Products (Pricing, Cost Control and Information) Appeals Tribunal (00275)

Role Plays were discussed for the following exercises:

  • Fee-Paid Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (00269)

It was noted that the Chair of the Advisory Group moving forward would be
Commissioner Tony Harking.

Audit and Risk Committee

3.3. Sarah Pittam reported back on the ARC meeting which took place on 29 January. The ARC:

  • It was noted that Commissioner Sarah Pittam was the new Chair of the ARC.
  • The Committee reviewed the risk register and were content with the progress.
  • The Staff Engagement and Morale risk score has reduced in likelihood from a 3-3 to 3-2 following the positive results of the recent staff survey.
  • The Committee also reviewed a deep dive paper on the Staff Engagement and Morale risk.
  • Of the 14 outstanding internal audit recommendations, 8 were completed
    during Q3.
  • The Committee conducted its annual review of the JAC’s Risk Management
    Policy and Framework, Counter Fraud Strategy and Whistleblowing policy.
  • The ARC’s Independent Member, Roger Dunshea, has extended his term for a
    further year, to July 2027.
  • Commissioner Sarah Pittam wished to minute her appreciation of the Head of Finance for their role in assisting her induction as new Chair of the ARC.

Welsh Matters Committee

3.4. Siwan Davies reported back on the Welsh Matters Committee meeting which took place on 11 December. The Welsh Matters Committee:

  • It was noted that the new Chair of the Welsh Matters Committee (WMC) was Commissioner Siwan Davies.
  • The Committee considered the issue of Welsh Devolution Administration
    questions. The WMC acknowledged this would need to be re-visited in 2026, and that an updated video recording of the questions would be needed featuring the incoming WMC Chair.
  • The Committee received an update on progress from the action register and also considered exercises with Welsh posts currently in progress.
  • Outgoing WMC Chair, Barry Morgan thanked the committee and secretariat for its helpfulness during his tenure as Chair of WMC, along with Mr Justice Griffiths (Welsh Presider) and Sir Gary Hickinbottom (President of Welsh Tribunals)

4. Chair’s Report (Back to top)

4.1. The Acting Vice Chair reported back on the following:

  • The Vice Chair Mark Warby represented the JAC at the JAC at the Chancery Bar Association conference on the 16 January
  • The Vice Chair Mark Warby took part in the High Court sift from the 3rd to the 5 February

4.2. The Acting Vice Chair also noted the following Commissioner activity:

  • Clare McGlynn represented the JAC at the Westminster Legal Policy Forum on 20 January, discussing equality, diversity and inclusion.

5. For Information: JAC 20th Anniversary (Back to top)

5.1. The Head of Diversity, Engagement and Communications presented the plans for the communications approach to the JAC 20th Anniversary.
5.2. The Board noted and approved the recommendations, subject to agreed amendment.

6. Management of AI Risk (Back to top)

6.1. The Head of Operations and Digital presented the proposals regarding the management of AI Risk by the JAC.
6.2. The Board noted the identified risks associated with candidates using AI tools in the course of applications for judicial office, as well as initial research conducted around mitigation strategies.
6.3. The Board approved the recommendation that clear candidate guidance be produced regarding AI use.
6.4. The Board agreed to the limited and declared use of AI tools in the writing of
applications, subject to suitable safeguards being identified and implemented.
6.5. The Board agreed to the banning of any AI tool being used during a JAC qualifying test.
6.6. The Board directed that further third-party expertise should be sought by the JAC to inform its ongoing considerations of AI.

7. Process Paper – 00298 District Judge (Magistrates Court) (Back to top)

7.1. The Senior Selection Exercise Manager presented the proposals for the selection
process for 00298 District Judge (Magistrates Court).
7.2. The Board noted and agreed to the proposed process.

8. Process Paper – 00201 s9(4) Deputy High Court Judge (Back to top)

8.1. The Senior Selection Exercise Manager presented the proposals for the selection process for 00201 s9(4) Deputy High Court Judge.
8.2. The Board noted and agreed to the proposed process.

9. Near Miss Policy – 00238 King’s Bench Masters (Back to top)

9.1. The Head of Digital Delivery and Programme Office presented the proposal for the use of the JAC Near Miss Policy to fill two vacancies that have arisen for Kings Bench Masters.
9.2. The Board noted and agreed to the proposed action.

10. Forward Look and AOB (Back to top)

10.1. The Board noted the 2026 Forward Look, and the Chair confirmed that the next Board meeting would be at the Commission Board meeting held on 12 March 2026.

This concluded the business of the Board.