Judicial Appointments Commission

Judicial Appointments Commission
Chair

London, England and Wales
2601-092L

The Judicial Appointments Commission is the independent body established under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 to recommend candidates for judicial office in England and Wales, and for some tribunals with UK-wide powers. In the context of a world class judiciary, the JAC's statutory duty is to select people on merit, who are of good character, playing a vital role in upholding the independence of the judiciary and therefore the rule of law.

The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Deputy Prime Minister, is now seeking an exceptional Chair for the JAC, who will lead the Commission in selecting judges on merit, safeguarding judicial independence, and championing a more diverse judiciary that reflects the society it serves. This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the justice system, with the opportunity for the successful candidate to safeguard and strengthen public confidence in the appointments process. The Chair will take up the role at a time of heightened public interest in the justice system, with significant forthcoming senior judicial appointments and increasing scrutiny of constitutional boundaries. The Commission will need to think innovatively about how to meet the recruitment needs of our world class judiciary to support our modern and evolving justice system, and therefore a Chair who can help to drive transformative change across a complex landscape.

This role is of national constitutional significance and candidates will accordingly be expected to demonstrate significant personal authority, integrity, discretion and humility. The successful candidate will be a persuasive public ambassador for the Commission, able to build trust with the senior judiciary, Ministers, Parliament and wider stakeholders, and provide strategic leadership to the Commission and its executive.

The Chair must be a lay person – resident in England or Wales, who has never held judicial office and has not been a practising lawyer. Political activity alone does not bar applicants, but declared political activity will be considered in accordance with the Governance Code and the Judicial Appointments Commission Regulations 2013.

• Time commitment: three days/week.
• Location: London (with regular travel across England & Wales)
• Remuneration: £750/day with reasonable travel and subsistence reimbursed.
• Appointment length: three years with potential re-appointment

JAC has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and how to apply, please review the position specification below.

The closing date for applications is 23:59 GMT on Monday 2nd March 2026.