JAC Board minutes March 2026

Approved minutes from the March 2026 JAC Commission Board

Minutes of Board Meeting – 12 March 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
Tan Ikram
Clive Lane
Clare McGlynn
Sarah Pittam
Angela Rafferty

Observer

Greg Sinfield

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 Selection Policy
Head of Targeted Outreach and Research
Head of Diversity, Engagement and Communications
Head of Analysis and Insight
Senior Policy Advisor
Senior Stakeholder Engagement and Diversity Manager
Head of Secretariat
Secretariat Manager
Senior Executive Assistant
Secretariat Support Officer

1. Apologies and matters arising (Back to top)

This meeting was chaired by the Acting Vice Chair Adam Johnson.

The minutes of the 12th February were agreed.

No apologies were received.

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

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).

The Board noted a high volume of FOI requests being made to the JAC. The Board expressed the view that where the executive felt that repeated requests were being made vexatiously, the Board would support these repeated requests being met with appropriate challenge.

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

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

It was noted that the Advisory Group met on 10th March, and that the Welsh Matters Committee was meeting on 12th March, but that both would report back at the April Board.

The Digital Product Board had been scheduled to take place on 24th February, but this meeting was deferred until 17th March.

4. Chair’s Report (Back to top)

The Acting Vice Chair reported back on the following:

• On 11 March, the commissioners and Acting Vice Chair met with the Executive and conducted a business planning exercise before taking part in a Board Dinner.
• The Commissioner Governance Group met on 27th February to consider live and forthcoming policy work.

5. For Information: JAC Annual Update for Targeted Outreach (Back to top)

Judge Greg Sinfield presented the Annual Evaluation of the Targeted Outreach Programme.

The Board noted the latest data analysis of the Targeted Outreach programme, the wider impact of the Targeted Outreach programme, and the ongoing progress against the 2025-2027 Targeted Outreach programme.

Judge Sinfield wished to minute his appreciation of the Targeted Outreach team and the contributions of the Head of Targeted Outreach. This appreciation was echoed by the Acting Vice Chair.

6. Equal Merit Provision review (Back to top)

The Senior Stakeholder Engagement and Diversity Manager presented the review of the Equal Merit Provision.

The board noted the findings of the review and agreed to the operational enhancements identified by the review. The board agreed that there is sufficient data to consider expansion of EMP to the protected characteristic of disability. Further work will be undertaken to consider potential expansion, to return to the Board for decision later in 2026.

The Board stipulated that the provision will remain under regular review, to ensure that the approach continues to reflect the evidence base of where underrepresentation exists in the judiciary, and aligns with JDF partners’ diversity principles.

7. Statutory Consultation Decisions (Back to top)

The Senior Policy Advisor presented the proposal regarding the application of Statutory Consultation on individual upcoming exercises.

The Board discussed and gave guidance on the approach to one exercise.

The Board noted and approved the proposals for all other exercises.

8. Forward Look and AOB (Back to top)

The Board noted the 2026 Forward Look, and the Chair confirmed that the next Board meeting would take place on 16th April.

This concluded the business of the Board.