Appointment details

Chair of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board

Summary

• Sponsor department: Ministry of Justice
• Location: London
• Sectors: Judicial, Prisons & Policing
• Skills: Legal, Judicial
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 6 day(s) per quarter
• Remuneration: £1,114.74 per day
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: 11am on 24 March 2026

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   25 February 2026

2. Application deadline

   11am on 24 March 2026

3. Sifting date

   27 March 2026

4. Interviews expected to end on

   13 April 2026

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Minister

I am seeking an outstanding individual with excellent leadership, engagement and communication skills to serve as Chair of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board (CLAAB).

The CLAAB plays a vital role in strengthening our criminal justice system by providing independent, expert advice on the operation of criminal legal aid. Its purpose is to examine how our criminal legal aid schemes can evolve - to remain fair, sustainable and capable of supporting a high‑performing justice system in the years ahead.

A strong, independent Chair plays a critical role in guiding this, ensuring that the Board benefits from the skills and experiences of its members to provide effective advice that meets the needs of the justice system.

I and my officials will continue to work closely with the Chair and the Board to help fulfil its important remit, to ensure that criminal legal aid supports a system that is fair, efficient, and capable of delivering justice for victims, defendants and the public.

Sarah Sackman

Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services

Appointment description

The Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor have decided to appoint an independent external CLAAB Chair to lead future CLAAB meetings, following the current Chair’s tenure coming to an end. The Chair of the CLAAB provides independent leadership and strategic direction to the Board, which advises the Lord Chancellor on the structure, operation, and future development of criminal legal aid schemes. The role involves guiding the Board’s assessment of how legal aid schemes should adapt to changes in the criminal justice system, ensuring they contain the right structures and incentives to support a high‑performing system and a sustainable, diverse legal aid workforce. The Chair is responsible for working with the secretariat to shape the Board’s agenda, steering discussions, and ensuring decisions are informed by evidence, sector insights, and the broader policy context.

They oversee the development of recommendations to government on issues such as remuneration, market sustainability, data gaps, and the impact of legislative or policy changes on legal aid practitioners. In addition, the Chair will lead the preparation of CLAAB reports, represents the Board in its external relationships, and ensures that its work maintains independence and transparency.

The Chair also plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration across those with legal aid related roles across the criminal justice sector, engaging with representatives from key organisations such as the Bar Council, Criminal Bar Association, Law Society, Crown Prosecution Service, and other practitioner groups.

• Chair quarterly CLAAB meetings;
• Provide effective and visible leadership of the CLAAB, ensuring the full expertise of CLAAB members is harnessed and working closely with the CLAAB Secretariat;
• Determine the CLAAB’s programme of work in collaboration with MoJ officials, ensuring it complies with the Terms of Reference (ToR);
• Seek views from CLAAB members and from other stakeholders/experts, where required, to develop clear and considered recommendations for the Lord Chancellor;
• Draw on their experience and expertise to contribute to CLAAB discussions. Keep up to date with developments in the criminal justice system and ensure these are reflected in the recommendations made by the CLAAB;
• Ensure the CLAAB adheres to best practice for Expert Committees, in collaboration with MoJ officials. More information on Expert Committees can be found here: Functional Review of Bodies Providing Expert Advice to Government - A review by the Cabinet      Office Public Bodies Reform team (publishing.service.gov.uk);
• Work with MoJ officials to review the CLAAB ToR and membership, where required, and in doing so have regard to the need to encourage diversity in the CLAAB’s work and membership;
• Maintain trust and confidence in the CLAAB with stakeholders;
• Act as an ambassador for the CLAAB, promoting and publicising its role by representing it externally; and
• Take all practicable steps to ensure the security and confidentiality of all and any information to which you have access during your appointment.
• Engage proactively with the CLAAB Secretariat over email and through regular and ad hoc meetings as and when needed, in between quarterly CLAAB meeting.

If you have further questions about this post, you are welcome to contact the CLAAB secretariat by emailing CLAAB@justice.gov.uk.

Organisation description

Lord Bellamy’s Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review (CLAIR) recommended that an Advisory Board be established to take a wider view and encourage a more joined-up approach to criminal legal aid within the criminal justice system, which led to the establishment of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board (CLAAB) in October 2022.

The Board’s purpose is to provide advice to the Lord Chancellor on the operation and structure of the criminal legal aid schemes and to assess how these schemes should adapt as the criminal justice system changes over time. The Board’s focus is on the structures of the fee schemes and not the specific fee levels.

Board composition

The CLAAB’s membership currently includes representatives from: the Bar Council; the Law Society; Criminal Bar Association; London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association; Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association; Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX); Young Legal Aid Lawyers; Young Barristers Committee; Legal Aid Agency; Crown Prosecution Service and; Ministry of Justice (MoJ) officials.  

Person specification

Essential criteria

The person appointed must be able to demonstrate:

• Substantial relevant experience in a senior role related to the criminal justice system and / or criminal legal aid.

• Highly developed inter-personal and communication skills with the ability to command confidence and build and maintain successful working relationships and partnerships with stakeholders.

• Strong intellect and sound judgement as well as the highest levels of probity, integrity and other qualities that inspire confidence, trust and respect.

• Excellent communication skills, judgement, discretion and political sensitivity and the ability to challenge and work collaboratively with others.

• A clear and demonstrable understanding and appreciation of equality, diversity and inclusion in all its forms.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge and experience in criminal law and the justice system

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 (maximum 1000 words)
• 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.

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)

• Alison Samedi, MoJ Deputy Director, Criminal Legal Aid

• An Expert Panel Member

• An 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  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.

Contact details

If you have any questions, please email the Public Appointments Team at publicappointmentsteam@justice.gov.uk