Appointment details

Judicial Vice Chair of the Parole Board

Summary

• Organisation: Parole Board
• Sponsor department: Ministry of Justice
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Judicial, Prisons & Policing
• Skills: Judicial
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 3 day(s) per week
• Remuneration: £437.50 per day
• Length of term: 5 years
• Application deadline: 1pm on 1 July 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   2 June 2025

2. Application deadline

   1pm on 1 July 2025

3. Sifting date

   18 July 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   26 September 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Chair

Dear Candidate

Thank you for your interest in becoming Judicial Vice Chair of the Parole Board for England and Wales. This appointment is made by the Parole Board with the approval of Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Ministers.

The Parole Board is an independent body which sits as a court to protect the public by risk assessing the most serious and complex prisoners to decide whether they can be safely released back into the community or not. Our work is of critical importance to victims and public safety, as well as prisoners and their families, but it also has a wider role in maintaining public confidence in the criminal justice system.  

The Judicial Vice Chair’s key roles and responsibilities are to: deputise for the Chair; take a leading role on legal matters; be the Director of Education and so oversee the training of our 330 members; lead on liaising with the judiciary and other key stakeholders; and serve as a member on some of our most serious and complex cases.  The Judicial Vice Chair is also a member of the Management Committee which is responsible for setting the Parole Board’s objectives and business plans; reviewing key management information relating to the performance and operations of the Parole Board, and approving the Parole Board’s budget and annual accounts.

We are very keen to increase the diversity of our organisation. A significant proportion of the prison population are from a black, Asian or other minority ethnic groups and a lack of representation can impact on trust and confidence. We are an inclusive organisation and recognise that diversity is one of our greatest strengths. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds.

This is a very exciting time to join the Parole Board. We have modernised our ways of working, we are updating our Rules and we are becoming more transparent and we are implementing the changes arising as a result of the recent Victims and Prisoners Act.

If you believe that you have the experience and qualities that we are seeking, we hope that you will consider applying for this important position. It should be noted that to be eligible for this role you must be a senior member of the judiciary which for these purposes means Court of Appeal, High Court, Old Bailey or Senior Circuit Judges with a minimum of 7 years’ experience, who will retire by 31 October 2025 and retired Court of Appeal, High Court, Old Bailey or Senior Circuit Judges with a minimum of 7 years’ experience who have recent relevant involvement in the criminal justice system. Applicants should have recent relevant involvement in the criminal justice system (All references to Senior Circuit Judges include Circuit Judges of the Central Criminal Court).

If you have further questions about this post, you are welcome to speak to Caroline Corby, Chair, Cecilia French, Parole Board CEO or the current Judicial Vice Chair, HH Peter Rook KC.

If you have questions about the appointment process, you can contact the Public Appointments Team at: publicappointmentsteam@Justice.gov.uk or call Caroline Banjo on 07540262437.

Appointment description

The Judicial Vice Chair will have the following responsibilities/duties: 

 

• Supporting the Parole Board in the provision of clear, strong and visible leadership. 
• Supporting the Parole Board to fulfil its statutory functions effectively whilst maintaining its independence and its status as a court-like body. 
• Deputising for the Chair as required.  
• Serving as a Member of the Parole Board Management Committee – the responsibilities of the Management Committee are described below. 
• Being a judicial member of the Parole Board – further details of these responsibilities are described below. 
• Acting as Director of Education, taking responsibility for strategy in respect of member training and liaising with the Learning and Development function over implementation.  
• Leading initiatives in respect of topical Parole Board projects.  
• Leading the judges who decide applications for public hearings under delegated authority from the Chair and, on occasions, deciding public hearing applications.  
• Encouraging and fostering a culture of trust and respect amongst the Parole Board membership. 
• On occasions representing the Parole Board at public events and speaking to the media.  
• Liaising with the judiciary and other key stakeholders. 

 

The Role of a Judicial member of the Parole Board: 

The successful candidate will automatically be appointed as a judicial Member of the Parole Board by Ministers. The responsibilities of Judicial members are: 

• Chairing or sitting on Parole Board panels deciding cases considered high profile, or otherwise noteworthy.   
• Deciding non-disclosure applications in accordance with the statutory Parole Board rules.   
• Approving panel listings for noteworthy or other nominated cases.   
• Assisting the Board as necessary when dealing with reconsideration and set aside applications.   
• Determining whether it is in the interests of justice for a hearing to be held in public.   

The core responsibilities of the Management Committee:

The successful candidate will automatically be appointed as a member of the Parole Board’s Management Committee. The Management Committee has overall responsibility for ensuring the effective functioning of the Parole Board. Its key responsibilities are:

• Formulating the Parole Board’s overall strategy.
• Monitoring, supporting and, where appropriate, challenging the Parole Board’s operation and performance.
• Approving Casework policy.
• Formally approving the Parole Board’s budget, its annual report and annual accounts.
• Establishing Sub-Committees to support its performance.
• Supporting the operation of the Members’ representative body to represent the views of the membership and ensuring that it has appropriate access to the Parole Board Executive and Chair. 
• We are inviting applications from serving Court of Appeal, High Court, Old Bailey or Senior Circuit Judges with a minimum of 7 years’ experience, who will retire by 31 October 2025 and retired Court of Appeal, High Court, Old Bailey or Senior Circuit Judges with a minimum of 7 years’ experience who have recent relevant involvement in the criminal justice system. Applicants should have recent relevant involvement in the criminal justice system (All references to Senior Circuit Judges include Circuit Judges of the Central Criminal Court).
• Management Committee meetings typically take place at 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London in person.  Sub-committee meetings tend to be remote. Oral hearings are largely remote but can be held in prison. Meetings with members and training events are held periodically in different parts of England and Wales. Meetings with stakeholders generally take place in London.

Organisation description

The Parole Board works to protect the public by risk assessing prisoners to decide whether they can safely be released into the community. It was established under the Criminal Justice Act 1967, and is classified as a Non Departmental Public Body, that makes independent and impartial decisions.

It sits as a court-like body and makes risk assessments which are rigorous, fair and timely, based on information supplied by the prisoner, the prison and probation service and other expert witnesses.

Parole Board decisions are solely focused on whether a prisoner would represent a significant risk to the public after release. The risk assessment is based on detailed evidence found in the dossier (a collection of documents relating to the prisoner) and evidence provided at the oral hearing.

The Parole Board is responsible for considering parole reviews for prisoners serving indeterminate sentences – sometimes called ‘life’ sentences – where the sentence has no end date. It also considers certain types of determinate sentence cases – where there is an end to the sentence – and some prisoners who have been sent back, or ‘recalled’, to prison.

To be eligible for parole, a prisoner will have served the minimum ‘tariff’, or punishment part of their sentence, set by the courts. Prisoners eligible for parole are only released into the community if the Parole Board decides it is safe to do so.

An offender released on a parole licence continues to serve the rest of their sentence in the community while being supervised by the Probation Service. This is known as ‘release on licence’ or parole.

The Parole Board’s work is of critical importance to public safety, as well as prisoners and their families, but also has a wider role in maintaining public confidence in the justice system.

To read more about the Parole Board and its work click here. 

Board composition

Details about the composition of the Parole Board can be found here

Person specification

Essential criteria

• It should be noted that to be eligible for this role you must be a senior member of the judiciary which for these purposes means, Court of Appeal, High Court, Old Bailey or Senior Circuit Judges with a minimum of 7 years’ experience, who will retire by 31 October 2025 and retired Court of Appeal, High Court, Old Bailey or Senior Circuit Judges with a minimum of 7 years’ experience who have recent relevant involvement in the criminal justice system.  Applicants should have recent relevant involvement in the criminal justice system (All references to Senior Circuit Judges include Circuit Judges of the Central Criminal Court). 
•  A demonstrable commitment to fairness, justice, independence and valuing the protection of the public. An understanding of the criminal justice system. 
• Aptitude and ability to sit as a Parole Board member to deal with sensitive complex cases which requires the ability to apply knowledge and judgement to offenders’ cases to decide whether they can safely be released into the community and to set conditions where release is appropriate. 
• A demonstrable commitment to education and training.
• Experience of working with others on a strategic committee or other decision-making group, equivalent to Board level, to be able to play a leading role in the strategic management of a complex, independent but publicly funded organisation. 
• Ability to work with and influence a wide range of individuals both within the Board, and its membership and external organisations. 
• The aptitude and ability to work with the Chair and other members of the Management Committee to help modernise the way the Board deals with cases (e.g. digitalisation).

Desirable criteria

• An understanding of the policy, operational, political and media landscape in which the Parole Board works. 
• Knowledge of the workings of Government and Whitehall. 
• An understanding of Arms-Length Bodies and sponsorship arrangements.

Application and selection process

How to apply

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:

• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement
• a short professional biography (150 words)

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.

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)

Andrew Walden - Panel Chair – Deputy Director, Head of Sentencing and Parole Policy Unit. 

Alexandra Marks - Parole Board Chair (Commencing 18 July 2025)

Justice Wall - Judicial Panel Member

Malcolm John - Independent Panel Member

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 the Public Appointments Team at the following email address: publicappointmentsteam@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

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.  

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.

Please contact the public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at publicappointmentsteam@justice.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Privacy Notice: Public Appointments 

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is committed to the protection and security of your personal information. 

It is important that you read this notice so that you are aware of how and why we are using such information. This privacy notice describes how we collect and use personal information during and after your relationship with us, in accordance with data protection law.  

MoJ is the data controller for the personal data used for the purposes of making public appointments.  

The type of personal data we process 

We currently collect and use the following information: 

• Name; 

• Contact details; 

• Employment history and qualifications 

• Curriculum vitae and other background information relevant to your application, including sift and interview assessments made by the advisory assessment panel; 

• Information you provide on interests relevant to the role you are applying for; 

• Political activity; 

• Health information as required to facilitate access and participation in events (e.g. venue access and dietary requirements). 

• Due Diligence checks; 

As part of the recruitment process, for those candidates being invited to interview, the Department will undertake due diligence checks to assess their suitability for the role, including (alongside consideration of their own declaration of relevant interests) evidence of their conduct and/or professional capacity as demonstrated by information about them in the public domain.  

How we get your personal data and why we have it 

We receive most of your personal data through your application and declaration form.  

We also gather personal information indirectly, from various sources as part of the due diligence checks. This will include, for examples: 

• your public social media activity, including searches on sites such as LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook 

• Searches for any relevant news stories 

• The Electoral Register (http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/)   

• Companies House (https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/) 

• The Insolvency Register website (https://www.gov.uk/search-bankruptcy-insolvency-register)    

In submitting your application you acknowledge that such due diligence will be undertaken in respect of you and that copies of search results may be saved, stored securely, and used as part of the recruitment process in line with this privacy notice. Processing of such data is necessary to protect the reputation of the Department. Candidates may be asked about their public profiles/search results, at interview.  

We process your personal data for the purposes of making public appointments in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. More information about this work is available from the Commissioner for Public Appointments' website. 

Where we need to share your personal data with others, we ensure that this data sharing complies with data protection legislation. For the purposes of this work we may need to share your personal information with:  

• The Cabinet Office 

• The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments 

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the lawful basis we rely on for processing your personal information is:  

Performance of a public task. 

The legal bases on which the MoJ processes special categories of information you have provided, is on the basis of:  

The substantial public interest in the Secretary of State appointing suitable candidates to the role. substantial public interest condition.  

International Data Transfers 

There are no international transfers 

How we store your personal data 

If you are successful in an application and appointed we will hold your data for three years from date appointment ends and then delete. 

If you are unsuccessful in your application your data will be held for two years from end of campaign and then deleted.  

Your Rights 

• Your right of access - You have the right to ask us for copies of your personal information.  

• Your right to rectification - You have the right to ask us to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask us to complete information you think is incomplete.  

• Your right to erasure - You have the right to ask us to erase your personal information in certain circumstances.  

• Your right to restriction of processing - You have the right to ask us to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.  

• Your right to object to processing - You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.  

• Your right to data portability - You have the right to ask that we transfer the personal information you gave us to another organisation, or to you, in certain circumstances.  

Depending on the lawful basis on which your personal data is being processed, not all rights will apply. 

You are not required to pay any charge for exercising your rights. If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you If you wish to exercise your data protection rights please contact: 

Disclosure Team 

Post point 10.38 

102 Petty France 

London  

SW1H 9AJ 

data.access@justice.gov.uk  

How to complain 

If you have any concerns about our use of your personal data, you can contact the MoJ data protection officer; 

Data Protection Officer 

Ministry of Justice 

5th Floor, Post Point 5.18 

102 Petty France 

London 

SW1H 9AJ 

dpo@justice.gov.uk  

You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how we have used your data. 

Information Commissioner’s Office 

Wycliffe House 

Water Lane 

Wilmslow 

Cheshire 

SK9 5AF 

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113 

ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk 

Contact details

If you have questions about the appointment process, you can contact the Public Appointments Team at: publicappointmentsteam@Justice.gov.uk or call Caroline Banjo on 07540262437.