Lay Member for Advisory Committee
- Body
- Avon and Somerset Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee
- Appointing Department
- Ministry of Justice
- Sector
- Judicial, Prison & Policing
- Location
- Avon and Somerset (meetings held in Worle)
- Number of Vacancies
- 5
- Remuneration
- Non-remunerated. Members who incur a financial loss through attendance at meetings and other official committee business may be entitled to claim an allowance. Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed.
- Time Requirements
- The time commitment required can vary depending on the level of magistrate recruitment being undertaken each year, but as a general rule may involve approximately five days interviewing. To attend two meetings per year and a two day induction course. All of these are generally held within normal business hours Monday to Friday.
Campaign Timeline
-
Competition Launched
04/11/2016
-
Closed for Applications
06/12/2016
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Panel Sift
TBC
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Final Interview Date
TBC
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Announcement
TBC
Vacancy Description
The Avon and Somerset Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace is responsible for the recruitment and selection of magistrates in Avon and Somerset. It also has responsibility for investigating allegations of misconduct by magistrates, to review decisions that a magistrate has failed to reach the required standard, to ensure that magistrates fulfil their undertaking to sit and undertake training, to draw to the attention of bench chairmen and justices’ clerks instances of magistrates sitting too little or too often and to seek explanations accordingly. Members of advisory committees have collective responsibility for the operation of the committee.
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 Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice. Ensure that the code of practice on access to government information (including prompt responses to public requests for information) is adhered to. Respond appropriately to complaints Ensure that the advisory committee does not exceed its power or functions.
Person Specification
The qualities sought in members of Advisory Committees include good interpersonal skills, ability to participate in interviewing candidates for the magistracy. Experience of interviewing is an advantage but is not essential, good judge of character and ability: objectivity, ability to articulate clear, well founded reasons on the suitability or otherwise of candidates, an awareness of own prejudices and an ability to set them aside, discretion in handling confidential information, understanding or willingness to acquire understanding of the needs of the Benches, willingness and ability to talk about the magistracy and participate in recruitment events, ability to work as a team member, commitment, dedication and enthusiasm, a willingness to undergo training.
Additional Information
Members can be appointed for up to a nine year term of office but are not normally appointed for a period that would extend beyond their 70th birthday.
Interviews of new magistrates – it is usual for each member of the Committee to attend as part of an interviewing panel. A two day induction course organised by the Ministry of Justice must be attended.