INDEPENDENT REVIEWER OF TERRORISM LEGISLATION
- Body
- Independent Reviewer of Terrorism
- Appointing Department
- Home Office
- Sectors
- Communities, Defence, Regulation
- Location
- Flexible within the United Kingdom
- Skills required
- Audit and Risk, Communication / Media / Marketing, Legal / Judicial
- Number of Vacancies
- 1
- Remuneration
- Remuneration is £800 per day (plus VAT and reasonable expenses). The post holder can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred during the course of their duties at rates set centrally
- Time Requirements
- The time commitment is expected to be 150 days per annum, which equates to three days per week.
Campaign Timeline
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Competition Launched
11/01/2018
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Closed for Applications
25/11/2018 at 00:00
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Panel Sift
Expected w/c 3 December 2018
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Final Interview Date
Expected w/c 14 January 2019
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Announcement
20/05/2019
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
The Home Secretary has announced today in a speech at New Scotland Yard the appointment of Jonathan Hall QC as the government’s new Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation. Jonathan Hall has been a QC for 5 years and has been involved in complex and high profile cases involving fraud, law enforcement, and national security. His very strong track record includes acting for the National Crime Agency in the UK’s first Unexplained Wealth Order case. Welcoming the appointment, Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: I am pleased to announce that Jonathan Hall QC has been appointed as Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation. With the threat from terrorism continuing to evolve and diversify, it is vital we have robust oversight to ensure our counter-terrorism laws are fair, necessary and proportionate. Mr Hall brings a wealth of experience and legal expertise to help deliver this. Jonathan Hall QC said: I am very pleased and honoured to take up this appointment. This is an important role at a time when the threat to the UK is increasingly complex. As a practicing barrister with extensive experience of national security and serious crime, I look forward to working across the landscape of terrorism legislation to ensure that the UK is an international proponent of best practice. As part of his role, Mr Hall will be required to provide an annual report on his findings, which the government must lay before Parliament and publish. He will begin his tenure on Thursday 23 May.
Date: 20/05/2019
Assessment Panel
- Panel Member
- Chair
- Added
- 01/11/2018
- Panel Role
- Panel Chair
- Positions
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- Panel Member
- Director of National Security
- Added
- 01/11/2018
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- Panel Member
- Office for Security Counter-Terrorism (Home Office)
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- 01/11/2018
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- Panel Member
- Director of Government Legal Department
- Added
- 01/11/2018
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- Panel Member
- Director of Her Majesty’s Treasury
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- 01/11/2018
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Vacancy Description
The Government is therefore seeking an experienced individual to provide independent oversight and scrutiny of UK counter-terrorism legislation as the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation.
The Independent Reviewer is appointed by the Home Secretary, under section 36 of the Terrorism Act 2006, to review the operation of key UK counter-terrorism statutes to assess their fairness, effectiveness and proportionality. The Independent Reviewer provides an important safeguard, informing the Parliamentary and public debate on counter-terrorism law and civil liberties through written reports, evidence, media and an online presence.
The Independent Reviewer will have the opportunity to be supported by specialist assistants to help discharge the Reviewer’s statutory responsibilities.
The Independent Reviewer’s main responsibilities are to:
·Carry out an annual review, and report to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on the operation of the Terrorism Act 2000.
·Carry out such further discretionary reviews (and provide reports to the Home Secretary on those reviews) as the Independent Reviewer considers necessary and where requested to by the Home Secretary or the Economic Secretary on the operation of statutes falling within the Independent Reviewer’s remit, which are:
- Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (Part 1, and Part 2 in so far as it relates to counter-terrorism);
- Part 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006;
- Counter-Terrorism Act 2008;
- Terrorist Asset-Freezing Etc. Act 2010;
- Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011;
- Part 1 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015; and
- Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018
·Provide the Home Secretary with a proposed annual work programme, by 31 January each year, setting out the reviews to be conducted within that calendar year.
·In addition, counter-terrorism legislation naturally attracts significant attention and it is likely that the Independent Reviewer may be called upon to take part in public debates, to give evidence to Parliamentary Committees, the Northern Ireland Policing Board and international bodies, to consult with affected communities and to comment to domestic and overseas media on high-profile counter-terrorism issues.
Person Specification
It is essential in your supporting statement that you provide evidence and proven examples against each of the selection criteria in Part One only of the person specification, in so far as you are able. These responses will be further developed and explored with those candidates invited for interview, together with the other criteria listed in Part Two.
Part One – Essential Criteria
- Ability to demonstrate outstanding personal qualities, in particular integrity and independence, with a strong and personal commitment to the highest standards of public life.
- A balanced appreciation of the importance of civil liberties and their interaction with laws designed to protect the public.
- Expertise in analysing the law and its operation, coupled with a broader understanding of the effects of law on society and the concerns of different groups within society.
- Scrupulous fairness in assessing complex information and competing interests, sound judgment and a willingness to accept scrutiny and challenge.
- A first class communicator with the authority and interpersonal skills to secure and retain the confidence of a wide range of challenging audiences including parliamentarians, law enforcement, judicial and legal professionals, NGOs, affected communities and the media.
- Ability to lead a small team effectively and efficiently in the conduct of reviews and production of detailed reports.
Desirable
- Senior barrister, solicitor, judge or legal academic.
- Experience of media and social media.
- Experience of dealing with counter-terrorism issues.
Part Two – Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- The ability to command respect quickly and to build mutually supportive relationships and networks.
- A strong intellect, analytical and written skills.
- Resilient in challenging circumstances and able to work under pressure, remaining calm but decisive.
- Comfortable operating in a political environment, whilst also being tenacious and robust.
- The ability to work on sensitive issues requiring the utmost discretion.
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have or be willing to obtain security clearance to Developed Vetting (DV) level. DV is the most comprehensive form of security vetting. Carrying out the relevant checks can take a number of months.
How to Apply
Completed applications should be emailed to publicappointments@homeoffice.gov.uk
If you cannot apply online, please post applications to:
Public Appointments Team
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
Third Floor, Peel Building
London
SW1P 4DF