Appointment details

Law Commission - Non Executive Board Member

Summary

• Organisation: Law Commission
• Sponsor department: Ministry of Justice
• Location: London
• Sectors: Judicial, Prisons & Policing
• Skills: Audit and Risk, Communication, Human Resources, International Experience, Legal
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: Adhoc
• Remuneration: £300 per day
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: 11am on 8 June 2026

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   11 May 2026

2. Application deadline

   11am on 8 June 2026

3. Sifting date

   15 June 2026

4. Interviews expected to end on

   22 June 2026

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Chair

Thank you for your interest in the role of Non‑Executive Board Member of the Law Commission of England and Wales.

The Law Commission is a thriving and highly productive organisation, delivering authoritative, high‑quality law reform that plays a vital role in ensuring the law of England and Wales is fair, modern, simple and cost‑effective. We remain engaged in a diverse programme of work, covering numerous areas of law reform, and continue to look for ways to innovate, strengthen our institutional independence and meet the law reform needs of our society.

Non‑Executive Board Members play an important role in supporting the Law Commission to deliver this work. Working alongside the Chair, Commissioners and Chief Executives, Non‑Executive Board Members provide constructive challenge, strategic insight and independent perspective, helping to ensure that the Commission continues to operate effectively, with strong governance, sound judgment and clear strategic direction. This is particularly important as the organisation navigates a period of transition, with a new Chair joining at the end of 2026.

We value strong communication, leadership, and judgment, and seek an individual who can engage in debate, constructively challenge, and build collaborative relationships both within and outside the organisation. Strong governance experience at senior or Board level, and a commitment to ethical behaviour, independence and integrity, are essential. We also welcome candidates with experience in or working with government, the private sector, international engagement, or media, and those with knowledge of the legal landscape and financial management.

We are committed to public appointments that reflect the diversity of the society they serve, and I strongly encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

If you believe you have the experience and qualities we are seeking, I very much hope you will consider applying. I look forward to welcoming a new Non‑Executive Board Member who is as committed as we are to the Law Commission’s vital role in the development of the law of England and Wales.

Sir Peter Fraser 

Chair 

Appointment description

The Law Commission has an advisory Board and is seeking to appoint one Non-Executive Board Member (NEBM) for a period of three years.  The Commission is seeking a NEBM who will support and challenge the Commission, both through further improvements to its corporate governance and financial management, but also in shaping the Commission’s strategy for the future of law reform. The Commission is seeking to recruit someone who will have relevant skills to help deliver on the aims as set out in the 1965 Act and the Business Plan.[2]

The Board is an advisory board that meets collectively six times a year, to discuss, amongst other things: the Commission’s progress against its objectives as set out in the Business Plan; law reform delivery; risk; financial performance; and current strategic issues affecting the Commission as a whole. NEBMs are expected to attend these meetings which take place usually in central London and provide challenge and support to Commissioners and CEOs when considering these issues.

NEBMs have no formal responsibilities in relation to individual law reform projects or the selection of projects, which remain the responsibility of the five independent Commissioners.

Organisation description

The Law Commission of England and Wales keeps the law under review, and makes recommendations for consolidation, development and reform. The Law Commission was established by the Law Commissions Act 1965 and is independent of Government. It comprises four Commissioners, appointed for 5-year terms, and a judicial Chair, working with a staff comprised of civil servants.  The Commission’s statutory purpose is to ensure that the law and policy is as fair, modern, simple and cost-effective as possible. This is done through intensive research, analysis and consultation. The Commission works with Government departments, arms length bodies and the Welsh Government, and consults extensively with people and organisations from a very wide range of sectors. The Commission delivers a Programme of Law Reform, as well as ad hoc reference projects and legislation in Parliament.

Board composition

• Chair – a High Court or an Appeal Court judge, appointed to the Commission by the Lord Chancellor
• 4 Commissioners – experienced judges, barristers, solicitors or teachers of law, appointed by the Lord Chancellor for up to 5 years, which can be renewed once
• The Chief Executives of the Law Commission
• 3 non-executive board members – providing support, independent challenge and expertise on issues of governance and strategic management

The Chair or Chief Executives may invite others to attend the Board on an ad hoc basis.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Communication - Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, engage in debate and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.
• Leadership - The ability to advise on strategic vision and help achieve priorities of the organisation.
• Judgement - Effective decision-making skills with the ability to analyse a wide range of information and bring a sense of perspective, to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations.
• Relationships - strong influencing skills and the ability to build strong, collaborative stakeholder relationships with people, internally and externally.
• Management - Sound knowledge and experience of good governance at senior or Board level in the private, public sector or third sector.
• People - An interest in understanding the work of staff at all levels across different teams, and how this supports the overall delivery of law reform; and a commitment to attracting and developing talent from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Values - A commitment to ethical behaviour, independence and integrity.

Desirable criteria

In addition, one or more of the following would be useful:

• Experience of working with ministers, parliamentarians or senior officials in government.
• An understanding of, financial management generally, potentially government and/or public sector financial arrangements and budgeting.
• Experience in the private sector, in a client-facing or other delivery organisation.
• Experience in international engagement or capacity-building overseas.
• Experience or understanding of the media, and how to communicate with the public and a range of different stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the legal landscape of this jurisdiction, particularly the mechanics of passing primary legislation.

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)

The panel will be chaired by the current Chair of the Law Commission, and will consist of a representative of the Ministry of Justice, one of the Law Commission’s Joint CEOs, and an independent member.

Names of Panel Members:

Chair of Law Commission: Rt Hon Sir Peter Fraser

MoJ Departmental Official: Amy Randall, Director – Criminal Justice and Courts Policy

Joint CEO of Law Commission: Joanna Otterburn or Stephanie Hack (TBC)

Independent Panel Member - TBC

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  enquiries@lawcommission.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.

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

If you have a complaint about any aspect of the way your application has been handled, we would like to hear from you. In the first instance please contact James Teasdale if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at enquiries@lawcommission.gov.uk 

Complaints must be received within 12 calendar months of the issue or the closure of the recruitment competition, whichever is the later.

We will acknowledge your complaint within two working days of receipt and reply within 20 working days of receipt. We will tell you if we cannot meet this deadline for any reason and provide an expected reply date.

Data protection

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

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), BlueSky, 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 

Contact details

If you would like to discuss the requirements of this role, please contact the Chair of the Law Commission, Sir Peter Fraser (via his clerk elza.tessenyi@lawcommission.gov.uk) or the Joint CEOs, Joanna Otterburn and Stephanie Hack. (otterburn.hack@lawcommission.gov.uk). Please also look at our website www.lawcom.gov.uk, and our social media via LinkedIn, X and Instagram.