Announcements (Archive)

Non-Lay member of the Family Procedure Rule Committee

Body
Family Procedure Rule Commitee
Appointing Department
Ministry of Justice
Sectors
Judicial, Prison & Policing, Regulation
Location
London
Skills required
Legal / Judicial, Regulation
Number of Vacancies
1
Remuneration
The role is unremunerated, but reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including travel) will be payable.
Time Requirements
The appointment will run for a three-year term with the possibility of reappointment for a further term subject to satisfactory appraisal and at the discretion of Ministers.

Campaign Timeline

  1. Competition Launched

    25/02/2020

  2. Closed for Applications

    17/03/2020 at 17:00

  3. Panel Sift

    w/c March 30 tbc

  4. Final Interview Date

    April/early May tbc

  5. Announcement

    07/06/2021

Announcement

An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.

The Lord Chancellor has appointed 2 new members to the Family Procedure Rule Committee (FPRC), Tony McGovern as solicitor member from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2023, and Bill Turner as lay member from 4 November 2019 to 3 November 2022.

Date: 07/06/2021

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Assessment Panel

Panel Member
Jamie Paul
Added
25/02/2020
Panel Role
Panel Chair
Positions
Head of Family Justice Policy Departmental Official
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Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Joanna Norris
Added
25/02/2020
Positions
Departmental Official
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Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Hannah Perry
Added
25/02/2020
Positions
Representative of Organisation
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Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Matthew Campbell-Hill
Added
25/02/2020
Positions
Independent Member
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Political Activity-
Notes-

Vacancy Description

Members of the Committee have collective responsibility for the operation of this body. They must:

  • Engage fully in collective consideration of the issues, taking account of the full range of relevant factors, including any guidance issued by the Ministry of Justice or by the Lord Chancellor.
  • Ensure that its responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act (including prompt responses to public requests for information) are discharged; agree an Annual Report; and, where practicable and appropriate, hold at least one meeting a year in public.
  • Respond appropriately to complaints, if necessary with reference to the Ministry of Justice.
  • Ensure that the Committee does not exceed its powers or functions. From time to time issues of a confidential nature may arise during Committee work. The duty of confidentiality obliges members to respect the confidentiality of such work. Confidential information that members obtain during the course of membership of the Committee must not be used for the benefit of their own or others use.
  • Individual Committee members can be removed from office by the Lord Chancellor if they fail to perform the duties required of them in line with the standards expected in public office.
  • Communications between the Committee and the Lord Chancellor will generally be through the Chair. Nevertheless, any Committee member has the right of access to Ministers on any matter which he or she believes raises important issues relating to his or her duties as a Committee member. In such cases the agreement of the rest of the Committee should normally be sought.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

Candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Having the appropriate experience for the appointment required by s.77(2) of the Courts Act 2003; (the appointment is not restricted to solicitors but it must be someone who has been authorised by a relevant approved regulator to conduct litigation in relation to all proceedings in the Senior Courts and has particular experience of family practice in the family court.)
  • Interest in the broad field of law concerning family courts and the rule making process;
  • A commitment to valuing diversity;
  • Evidence of sound committee experience and inter-personal skills;
  • Understanding and knowledge of the court processes and administrative procedures within the family jurisdiction;
  • Evidence of the ability to work in a committee; take an active and influential part in debate and to make time to serve on the Committee;
  • Commitment to the simplification and reform of family justice procedures.

Additional Information

Public appointments are offered on a fixed term basis. We do this to ensure that the leadership of our public bodies is regularly refreshed and the Board/Committee can benefit from new perspectives and ideas. The appointment will run for a three-year term with the possibility of reappointment for a further term subject to satisfactory appraisal and at the discretion of Ministers. Overall, the tenure period should not normally exceed ten years.

Members will be expected to commit up to a minimum of nine days per year to attend meetings (additional meeting days will be required for subcommittee meetings).

Travel and subsistence allowances may be payable on the same basis as that applicable to civil servants where the post holder is required to travel to other locations or stay overnight in the course of their duties.

How to Apply

  • Please complete the diversity monitoring form by clicking the link below
  • DIVERSITY MONITORING FORM
  • A CV (maximum two sides of A4) detailing your qualifications, employment history and any appointments or offices you hold. Please also provide your preferred contact number and email address.
  • A personal statement (maximum two sides of A4) providing evidence against the role criteria and your suitability for the post. Please consider the role and criteria carefully in preparing your statements. Information from Advisory Assessment Panels indicates that applications which offer specific and tailored examples against the criteria, making clear the candidate’s role in achieving an outcome are often the strongest. Structuring the statement around the criteria using relevant headings also aids clarity.
  • Guidance on how to write a successful application is provided at (Appendix 2 of the Candidate Pack).

Supporting Documents ( see appendix 3 of the Candidate Pack– and below)