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JAC Board minutes September 2024

Published:

Approved minutes from the September 2024 JAC Commission Board

12 September 2024

Present (Back to top)

Commissioners:

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

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 Insights
Head of Senior Appointments
Head of Panel Member Engagement
Selection Exercise Manager
Secretariat and Policy Officer
Head of Secretariat

1. Apologies and matters arising (Back to top)

The minutes of the 11 July 2024 meeting were agreed.

Apologies were received from Sue Hoyle, Tanweer Ikram and Greg Sinfield.

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
  • 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 16 July 2024 and 3 September 2024.

  • The group reviewed a variety of situational questions, scenario test 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 1 August 2024.

  • The Board were updated on contractual arrangements, processes for tendering expiring contracts, and progress in securing an IT Health Check/Penetration Test.
  • The Board noted progress against the Digital Roadmap.
  • The Board was updated on the RAID log.
  • The Board considered a paper on Digital Security, Risk and Governance.

Audit and Risk Committee

Anthony Harnden reported back on the Audit and Risk Committee.

  • The Committee welcomed Nicolina Andall as a member of the Committee.
  • The Committee reviewed the corporate risk register.
  • The Committee was informed that the JAC Annual Report was laid successfully.
  • The Committee reflected on outcomes to the annual audit and received feedback from NAO and Deloitte attendees.
  • The committee reviewed the security incidents report and confirmed no incidents of fraud and whistleblowing.

4. Chairman’s Report (Back to top)

The Chairman reported back on the following:

  • The Chairman caught up with a variety of commissioners over July and September.
  • Filmed a presentation for Judicial Guide event taking place in October at the Supreme Court.
  • The Chairman gave an update on undertaking an external Board Effectiveness Review.

5. Update on Qualifying Test Action (Back to top)

The Head of Analysis and Insights presented an update on work undertaken in relation to the Qualifying Test.

The Board were content to endorse the next steps.

6. Revision to SCC Papers and Panel Reports (Back to top)

The Head of Operations and Digital presented a number of changes to the Selection and Character Committee papers.

The Board agreed with the proposed changes.

7. Panel Member Engagement Update (Back to top)

The Head of Panel Member Engagement presented an update on the panel
member engagement work.

The Board agreed the proposals outlined in the paper.

8. Good Character Guidance (Back to top)

The Secretariat and Policy Officer presented the proposed amendments to the
Good Character guidance.

The Board approved the amended guidance, subject to minor amendments.

9. 00216 High Court Process Paper (Back to top)

The Head of Senior Appointments presented the planned selection process for the forthcoming High Court Judge selection exercise.

The Board agreed the proposed process for this exercise.

10. 00227 Recorder Process Paper (Back to top)

The Selection Exercise Manager presented the planned selection process for the forthcoming Recorder selection exercise.

The Board agreed the proposed process for this exercise.

11. Forward Look and AOB (Back to top)

The Board noted the 2024 Forward Look and the Chairman confirmed the next Board meeting would be held on 10 October 2024.

This concluded the business of the Board.