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Role details

LAY MEMBERS- WALES - RECRUITMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Application deadline 31 March 2024

Summary

Organisation
Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace
Sponsor department
Ministry of Justice
Location
Wales
Sectors
Judicial, Prisons & Policing
Skills
Judicial
Number of vacancies
6
Time commitment
Adhoc
Length of term
Members serve a minimum of 3 years and up to a maximum of 9 years. Members are not usually appointed for period which would extend beyond their 75th Birthday.
Application deadline
5pm on 31 March 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

  1. Opening date

    4 March 2024

  2. Application deadline

    5pm on 31 March 2024

  3. Sifting date

    14 April 2024

  4. Interviews expected to end on

    31 May 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of one of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace. Advisory Committees carry out important work in the justice system of England and Wales, particularly in relation to the recruitment and conduct of the magistracy.

If you have any questions, contact HMCTSWalesAdvisory@justice.gov.uk

Equality and Diversity Statement

Advisory Committee members will be selected and appointed solely on merit.

Applications are welcome from any person who meets the eligibility criteria for appointment and who believes they have the necessary qualities.

Applications are particularly welcome from members of groups currently under-represented amongst Advisory Committee memberships. This includes members of Black and Minority Ethnic communities, people under the age of 50, people from non-managerial or professional occupations, and people with a disability who (either assisted or unassisted) can carry out the full range of a member’s duties.

Candidates with a Disability

Candidates with a disability can expect the following:

·       When requested, reasonable adjustments will be made to enable candidates to attend interviews.

·       Disabled candidates will be assessed solely on merit and will not be questioned about their disability at interview.

In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, the Judicial Office HR Team will write to all candidates who are recommended for appointment to ask whether they require reasonable adjustments.

Role description

Status and Functions of Advisory Committees

Advisory Committees are non-departmental public bodies which carry out functions on behalf of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice. The Committees are classified as public authorities under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

To ensure a mix of judicial and non-judicial experience, Advisory Committees are composed of approximately two-thirds magistrates and one-third non-magistrate members.

There are twenty-three Advisory Committees responsible for the recruitment of magistrates.

The functions of Recruitment Advisory Committees are to:

· Recruit and recommend to the Senior Presiding Judge candidates for appointment to the magistracy;  

· Recruit and recommend to the Lord Chancellor, candidates for membership of the Advisory Committee; 

· Consider requests for review of decisions relating to recommendations for appointment; 

· Consider requests for re-instatement to the magistracy;

· Encourage applications to the magistracy and Advisory Committee membership from underrepresented groups; and 

· Consider and provide observations on the data gathered by the Committee Secretary as part of judicial resource exercises. 

The functions of Conduct Advisory Committees are to:

·        Ensure that magistrates fulfil their obligations to sit and complete required training, and maintain the commitments given by signing the Declaration and Undertaking form; 

·        Investigate allegations of misconduct by magistrates and make recommendations to the Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor in accordance with the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2014 and Justice of the Peace Rules 2016; 

·        Consider decisions by the Family Training, Approvals, Authorisations and Appraisals Committee (FTAAAC) and Justices’ Training Approvals, Authorisations and Appraisals Committee (JTAAAC) where a magistrate has failed to reach the required standard; 

·        Make any formal recommendation for removal to the Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor in accordance with the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2014 and the Justice of the Peace Rules 2016; 

·        Manage post-appointment matters such as transfers across Local Justice Areas, re-appointments and re-activations and consideration of matters relating to sittings and leave of absence requests referred to the Advisory Committee by Bench Chairs; 

·        Maintain strategic oversight of sitting levels and leave of absences to ensure they are aware of issues that may impact upon future recruitment numbers.

Time

The annual time commitment required can vary depending on the level of magistrate recruitment the committee is undertaking each year, but as a general guide this may involve between ten to twenty days of interviewing, the vast majority of which are held remotely via Microsoft Teams. In any event the Committee usually holds an average of two full meetings a year and members may also be required to attend training sessions from time to time. Meetings, interviews, and training events are generally held within normal business hours Monday to Friday.

Training

All new Advisory Committee members are required to participate in mandatory training, which is currently two consecutive days. Details of training events will be provided following appointment.

Register of Interests

New members will be required complete a declaration of interests on appointment to enable their Advisory Committee to maintain a register of interests.

Expenses

Applicants for Advisory Committee vacancies are not entitled to claim expenses incurred in the process of pursuing their application. Once appointed, members are entitled to claim certain limited allowances for cost of travel, subsistence and any loss of earnings incurred in the course of Advisory Committee work. 
Information about allowances can be obtained by contacting  
HMCTSWalesAdvisory@justice.gov.uk

Organisation description

See link below to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State’s Directions for Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace.

https://www.judiciary.uk/guidance-and-resources/advisory-committees-justices-peace/

Board composition

The Lord Chancellor appoints members of Advisory Committees with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice. The Lord Chancellor has delegated this function to officials in Judicial Office HR.

At least one third of a recruitment Advisory Committee’s members must be non-magistrate members. This is to enable, as far as practicable, for one member of every interview panel to include a non-magistrate member.

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

Non-magistrate members – Former magistrates will not be appointed as non-magistrate members.

The table below is to help prospective applicants identify whether their occupation, or that of a spouse, partner/civil partner or close relative, will affect their eligibility to serve as a member of an Advisory Committee. These lists are not exhaustive and if you have any doubt about your eligibility for appointment, contact the relevant Advisory Committee.

Roles which automatically disqualify you from applying

Roles where eligibility will depend on the circumstances

·       Bailiff

·       Community Assessor (involved in the selection of police officers and related roles)

·       Community safety partnership member

·       Educational welfare officer

·       Independent custody visitor

·       Mckenzie Friend

·       National Crime Agency

·       Police (civilian employee)

·       Policy Community Support Officer

·       Police and Crime Commissioner (and Deputies)

·       Police Officer

·       Police Special Constable

·       Prison Service

·       Prison Escort Contract Services

·       Private Detective

·       Probation Assistant

·       Probation Officer

·       Probation Prosecutor

·       Restorative Justice panel member

·       Store detective

·       Traffic warden

·       Youth offender panel / team / referral panel

·       Adoption Agency

·       Appropriate adult

·       Barrister / solicitor advocate

·       Care manager

·       Children’s guardian

·       Citizen’s advice

·       Child contact centre

·       Civil servant

·       Councillor

·       Crime prevention panel member

·       Crown Prosecution Service

·       Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate

·       Expert witness in the family court

·       Family mediation service

·       Foster carer

·       Health Authority

·       Highways Agency

·       H.M. Forces

·       Interpreter

·       Lay Observer (inspecting prisoner transport/holding conditions)

·       Licensee

·       Local Authority

·       Local Children Safeguarding Board

·       Medical professional working directly with children

·       Member of UK Parliament / European Parliament / Welsh Assembly

·       Minister of religion

·       Neighbourhood watch member

·       NSPCC or other similar children’s welfare charities

·       Parole Board

·       Party political agent

·       Member of Police and Community Partnerships

·       Member of Community Police Engagement Groups

·       Member of Police and Crime Panels

·       Police (non-staff support worker)

·       Prison after-care worker

·       Probation Trust board member

·       Relate counsellor (or similar charities)

·       RSPCA

·       Samaritans

·       Security Officer

·       Sheriff

·       Social worker

·       Solicitor

·       Teacher

·       Victim / Witness Support Scheme member

Candidates and, once appointed, members must inform the Advisory Committee Secretary if they intend to accept a position or office which would have disqualified them from appointment to the Advisory Committee.

Age – The minimum age for appointment to an Advisory Committee is 18. The retirement age is 75.

Nationality – British nationality is not a requirement however candidates must permanently reside in the jurisdiction of England and Wales at the time of application. Candidates in the process of, or intending to, seek asylum or applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK are ineligible.

Residence – Magistrate applicants should apply to the Advisory Committee which covers the area in which they serve. Non- magistrate applicants should apply to the Advisory Committee which covers the area in which they either live or work.

Health – The Lord Chancellor will not appoint anyone whose health prevents them from fully carrying out the duties of an Advisory Committee member.

Disability – Applications are welcome from people with a disability who are able, either unassisted or with the benefit of reasonable adjustments, to carry out the full range of duties of an Advisory Committee member.

Qualities required

Advisory Committee members must:

·       Have integrity, be circumspect, and be able to maintain confidences.

·       Have nothing in their private or working life, or in the lives of their family or close friends, which could bring them or the advisory committee into disrepute.

·       Be able to communicate effectively with courtesy and professionalism.

·       Be able to work as part of a team and engage in collective decision making.

·       Be able to think logically, weigh arguments and reach balanced decisions.

·       Have a good knowledge and understanding of social issues in the local area in which they wish to serve, in particular the causes and effects of crime.

·       Have respect for, and understanding of, social diversity.

·       Demonstrate enthusiasm for advisory committee work and be able to make the necessary time commitment to the duties and training required.

Convictions and Orders

There must be nothing in an Advisory Committee member’s past which could cast doubt on their credibility and standing in the eyes of the public. The Lord Chancellor will not appoint anyone in whom the public would be unlikely to have confidence.

Non-magistrate applicants must declare any convictions, cautions or orders which qualify for disclosure under the guidance. Magistrate applicants will have provided any relevant information as part of the magistrates’ selection process. Provide as much information as you can on your application form.

A civil order or a minor criminal offence in the past will not necessarily disqualify you for appointment; Advisory Committees and the Lord Chancellor will consider:

·       The nature and seriousness of the matter;

·       When it occurred;

·       The penalty or order imposed; and

·       Any subsequent convictions/orders.

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 governs the disclosure of convictions and cautions by prospective employees and holders of public office. Under the Act, following a specified period of time which varies according to the disposal administered or sentence passed, all cautions and convictions (except those resulting in prison sentences of over 30 months) are regarded as ‘spent’.

You must declare any convictions or cautions you have received which are not ‘spent’ within the meaning of the Act. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have disclosed any relevant conviction or caution. You can find further guidance about spent convictions at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/945449/rehabilitation-of-offenders-guidance.pdf.

You must declare if you are currently, or become subject to any of the following during the selection process:

Involvement in current proceedings:

·       Subject to investigation by the police;

·       Involved in any form of court proceedings, including as a witness, includes divorce proceedings where the custody of children is contested;

·       Subject to professional disciplinary proceedings or disciplinary proceedings at work.

Driving offences[1] (in which case you are unlikely to be selected for appointment):

·       Have any driving convictions or cautions (see section above on convictions and cautions);

·       Have any serious motoring convictions resulting in disqualification from driving for twelve months or more within the last 10 years;

·       Have any serios motoring convictions resulting in disqualification from driving for less than twelve months within the last five years;

·       Have any motoring offences which have resulted in six penalty points or more for one offence within the last five years, or nine penalty points for totting-up purposes within the last five years.

Penalty Notice for Disorder:

·       Have any penalty notice for disorder within the last four years.

Bankruptcy and liquidation (in which case you are unlikely to be selected for appointment):

·       Are an undischarged bankrupt;

·       Have a debt relief order or interim debt relief order against you or entered into an arrangement with your creditors;

·       Are or were the director of a company that went into liquidation in the past five years;

·       Are or were disqualified from acting as a director of a company in the last ten years.

Spouses, partners/civil partners, close relatives and close friends:

You must declare it if you are, or if you become, aware that your spouse, partner/civil partner, a close relative or a close friend has convictions or cautions which would qualify for disclosure under this guidance. You must also inform the Advisory Committee straightaway if during the selection process your spouse, partner/civil partner, a close relative or a close friend becomes subject to investigation by the police.

In most cases, the actions of another person will not mean that you are disqualified for appointment, but you must declare any relevant information known to you, so that the Advisory Committee and Lord Chancellor can consider:

·      The nature and seriousness of the matter;

·      The person’s relation to you and the extent of your contact with that person;

·      Whether or not you appear to condone the offence;

·      Whether the circumstances could undermine your credibility or the credibility of the magistracy if it became known to the public;

·      The penalty or order imposed; and

·      Any subsequent convictions/orders.

[1] You do not need to declare driving offences which were dealt with by an information warning, any attendance on a Driver Offender Retraining Course where no fixed penalty was issued or parking offences

Desirable criteria

Experience of the following is desirable, but not essential:

·        Interviewing candidates in an employment context or for other public appointments/voluntary roles.

·        Working with disciplinary/investigatory procedures.

Application and selection process

How to apply

If apply online is enabled

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

  • a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • a supporting statement
  • equality information
  • information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

If apply online is disabled

In order to apply you will need to provide:

  1. A  Curriculum Vitae which provides your contact details, details of your education and qualifications, employment history, directorships, membership of professional bodies and details of any relevant publications or awards;

  2. A supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for appointment, as set out in the person specification for the role;

  3. Information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues;

  4. Diversity monitoring information. This allows us to see if there are any unfair barriers to becoming a public appointee and whether there are any changes that we could make to encourage a more diverse field to apply. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be used as part of the selection process and will not be seen by the interview panel;

  5. Disability Confident – please state if you want to be considered for the disability confident scheme;

  6. Reasonable adjustments - requests for reasonable adjustments that you would like to the application process (if applicable);

Please provide the information at points 3-6 above on the relevant form, or as part of your supporting statement.
Completed applications should be submitted to 
HMCTSWalesAdvisory@justice.gov.uk

The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

  1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

  2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

  3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

  4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

  5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

  6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

  7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

  8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Peter Vaughan- Panel Chair
Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.
AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

  • you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

  • have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

  • your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

  • you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

  • you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)
If you need further advice, please contact  HMCTSWalesAdvisory@justice.gov.uk

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.
We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.
When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.
Some examples of common changes are:
  • ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
  • making adaptations to interview locations;
  • allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
  • giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
  • allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
  • making provision for support animals to attend.
When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.
1. Selflessness
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
2. Integrity
Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
3. Objectivity
Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
4. Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
5. Openness
Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
6. Honesty
Holders of public office should be truthful.
7. Leadership
Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 
  • any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
  • any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
  • and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 
which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.
You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 
Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Non-remunerated.  Members who incur a financial loss through attendance at meetings and other official committee business may claim an allowance equal to that loss. Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be met. 

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Review of Decision Not to Recommend for Appointment

Candidates who are not recommended for appointment and who believe the selection process has been misapplied, or that they have been treated unfairly, are entitled to request a review of the decision by the Lord Chancellor. Advisory Committees will inform unsuccessful candidates about the process for requesting a review.

Candidates who remain dissatisfied after a review are entitled to complain to the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Further information is available at: https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk.Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Contact details

For any queries, please contact:-     HMCTSWalesAdvisory@justice.gov.uk