An introduction to judicial appointments and the Judicial Skills and Abilities Framework (JSAF)
Join the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) in an online seminar aimed at demystifying the judicial appointment process, the recently updated Judicial Skills and Abilities Framework and explaining available support for candidates.
All attendees are welcome to this seminar, whether you are an aspiring judge or a current member of the judiciary. The seminar is occurring via a MS Teams’ townhall with attendee lists non-public and anonymous.
There will be a question-and-answer session at the end of the seminar and attendees are encouraged to submit questions for the JAC speakers.
Please be aware that it is not possible to answer questions concerning individual selection decisions or ongoing selection exercises.
Welcome Address by Helen Pitcher OBE
Helen Pitcher OBE was appointed Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission on 1 January 2023. Ms Pitcher is currently Chair of Advanced Boardroom Excellence Ltd.
Ms Pitcher is also a Non-Executive Director at UB UK (part of Yildz Holdings). Prior to this Ms Pitcher was Chair of Pladis Global from 2015 to 2019, the Queen’s Counsel Selection Panel from 2009 to 2017 and Director at Saville Group PLC from 2008 to 2013.
The Right Honourable Lord Justice Warby
Lord Justice (Mark) Warby was appointed to the JAC as a Senior Judicial Commissioner and Vice Chairman on 29 June 2023. Mark was called to the Bar in 1981 and specialised in media and sports law. He took silk in 2002.
Mark served as a Recorder of the Crown Court and Deputy High Court Judge before becoming a High Court Judge in 2014. He was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2021. Prior to that he was Director of Training for the Senior Judiciary from 2018 to 2021 and Chair of the High Court Judges’ Association from 2019 to 2021.
Professor Christopher Bones
Christopher was appointed to the JAC as a Lay Commissioner for a term of three years on 1 January 2024.
Since 2018, Christopher has been Chair of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and is a Non-Executive Director (NED) at three other organisations.
He is a non-lawyer who has been appointed to expert and advisory Panels and worked on Lord Bellamy’s Criminal Legal Aid Review. Christopher has been a Member of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board from 2022 to 2023.
For questions on this seminar please contact the JAC Engagement team - engagement@judicialappointments.gov.uk
United Kingdom