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Lynne Berry CBE appointed as Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission

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Lynne Berry CBE has been appointed as lay Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), following approval by His Majesty The King. She will take up the role on 1 September 2026 for an initial term of 18 months.  

The JAC is an independent statutory body that selects candidates for judicial office in courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and for some tribunals with a UK-wide jurisdiction. The JAC selects candidates for judicial office on merit, through fair and open competition. 

Lynne Berry brings extensive experience of public sector leadership to the role. She is currently Chair of Governors and Pro-Chancellor at the University of Westminster, Chair of the Human Tissue Authority, and Visiting Professor in Leadership at Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London. She has served as Chair or Senior Independent Director of numerous public sector and not-for-profit bodies, and has held Chief Executive posts at the Charity Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission, the General Social Care Council, the Royal Voluntary Service and the Family Welfare Association. 

Her appointment followed a rigorous selection process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments and the Judicial Appointments Commission Regulations 2013, including pre-appointment scrutiny by the Justice Select Committee. 

Lynne Berry said: “It is an honour to be appointed as the Chair of the independent Judicial Appointments Commission. Appointment on merit using fair, open and thorough selection processes is fundamental to the strength of our judiciary. Finding the best people to apply for these important roles means looking as widely as possible for talented candidates and encouraging outstanding individuals from every background and relevant profession to see judicial office as something for them.  

I look forward to working with ministers, our partners in the legal professions, the judiciary and my fellow Commissioners towards our shared aim of a world class judiciary that is more representative of our society.”