JAC Board minutes December 2024

12 December 2024

Present (Back to top)

Commissioners:

Helen Pitcher (Chairman)
Mark Warby (Vice Chair)
Nicolina Andall
Noel Arnold
Christopher Bones
Tom Cross
Anthony Harnden
Sue Hoyle
Uchechi Igbokwe
Tanweer Ikram
Adam Johnson
Clare McGlynn
Barry Morgan
Angela Rafferty (joined remotely)

Staff:

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

1. Apologies and matters arising (Back to top)

The minutes of the 10 October 2024 meeting were agreed.

Apologies were received from Greg Sinfield 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
• the 2024 People Survey
• 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.

Advisory Group

Uche Igbokwe reported back from the Advisory Group meeting which met on 15 October 2024 and 10 December 2024.

• The group reviewed a variety of situational questions, scenario tests and role plays over the two meetings and two out-of-committee papers.

Digital Board

Chris Bones reported back from the Digital Board which was held on 21 November 2024.

• The Digital Board discussed the IT Health Check (ITHC) and digital strategy.
• The Digital Board noted the Digital Team’s engagement with GovAssure cyber security assurance scheme.
• The Digital Board noted the recent workshop held between the Digital Board and the Audit and Risk Committee on governance and key responsibilities.
• The Digital Board were updated on new contracts awarded for digital services.

Audit and Risk Committee

Anthony Harnden reported back on the Audit and Risk Committee which took place on 24 October 2024.

• The Committee reviewed the corporate risk register.
• The Committee conducted a deep dive on Information security risk.
• The Committee noted the recent workshop held between the Digital Board and the Audit and Risk Committee on governance and key responsibilities.
• The Committee noted that the Government Internal Audit Agency approved the closure of five recommendations related to audits.
• The Committee noted the upcoming external audit is in the planning stage.
• The Committee noted that no new security incidents had been reported and there have been no incidents of fraud or whistleblowing.

4. Chairman’s Report (Back to top)

The Chairman reported back on the following:

• The Chairman caught up with a number of commissioners in November.
• The Chairman met with the Chair and CEO of the Legal Services Board on 29 October.
• The Chairman met with the Chair and incoming Chair of the Bar Council on 29 October.
• The Chairman met with the Lady Chief Justice on 14 November.
• The Chairman met with the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman (JACO) on 25 November.

Commissioners reported back on the following:

• Barry Morgan attended the Legal Wales conference on 11 October.
• Angela Rafferty attended the international visit from the delegation from Kosovo and Montenegro at the Supreme Court on 26 November.
• Noel Arnold attended a fire side chat on Diversity in the Employment Tribunal on 27 November.
• Adam Johnson attended a law society event in October where the Lady Chief Justice and Sarah Falk were in attendance.

5. Communication and Engagement Strategy (Back to top)

The Head of Diversity, Engagement and Communications presented the new
Communications and Engagement Strategy.

The Board approved the new strategy.

6. Statistical Insights from the 2024 Diversity of the Judiciary Report (Back to top)

The Head of Analysis and Insight presented an update on statistical insights from the 2024 Diversity of the Judiciary report.

The Board agreed to the proposals.

7. Evaluation of the approach to non-legal exercises and eligibility (Back to top)

The Senior Policy Officer presented an update on the evaluation of the approach to non-legal exercises.

The Board agreed with the proposals.

8. Revised Judicial Skills and Abilities Framework (JSAF), implementation options and further considerations (Back to top)

The Head of Selection Policy presented an update on the revised Judicial Skills and Abilities Framework and implementation options.

The Board agreed with the proposals.

9. Post-JSAF Selection Policy work on reviewing shortlisting and selection tools (Back to top)

The Head of Selection Policy presented an update on post-JSAF and other
selection policy work on reviewing shortlisting and selection tools.

The Board agreed with the proposals.

10. Deputy District Judge (Magistrates Court) Process paper (Back to top)

The Senior Selection Exercise Manager presented the planned selection process
for the forthcoming Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) exercise.

The Board were content with the proposed process.

11. Forward Look and AOB (Back to top)

The Board noted the 2025 Forward Look and the Chairman confirmed the next Board meeting would be held on 13 February 2025.

This concluded the business of the Board.