On the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, the King has appointed Tom Cross as a Judicial Appointments Commissioner with effect from 1 July 2024. During his tenure, Tom will remain in full time practice at the Bar.
The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) selects candidates for judicial appointments in England and Wales and for some tribunals with UK-wide powers. It is responsible for running selection exercises and making recommendations for posts up to and including the High Court. It also participates in, at the request of the Lord Chancellor and alongside the Lady Chief Justice, the selection of senior judicial office holders such as the Lord or Lady Chief Justice, the High Court Heads of Division, the Senior President of Tribunals and Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal. The Chair of the JAC sits on the selection panel for Justices of the UK Supreme Court.
Under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, the JAC must select candidates who are of good character, solely on merit. Subject to that, when performing its functions under the 2005 Act, the JAC must have regard to the need to encourage diversity in the range of persons available for selection for appointments.
There are 15 Commissioners, supported by a Senior Leadership Team, a large number of Panel Members, and around 90 staff. By regulations made under the 2005 Act, one of the Commissioners may be a practising barrister in England and Wales. There is one other legal practitioner Commissioner, as well as 7 holders of judicial office, 5 lay members, and a lay Chair.
You can read the Government’s announcement here.
