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Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman (PAT160006)

Closed
Body: Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman
Appointing Department: Ministry of Justice
Sector: Judicial, Prison & Policing
Location: The role is based in London (there is scope for remote working, which is encouraged)
Skills required: Legal / Judicial
Number of Vacancies: 1
Remuneration: £400 per day.
Time Requirements: 2 days per week, for five-year tenure.

Campaign Timeline

  • Competition Launched

    29/07/2020

  • Closed for Applications

    03/09/2020 at 09:00

  • Panel Sift

    28/09/2020

  • Final Interview Date

    10/11/2020

  • Announcement

    TBC

 

Assessment Panel

Vacancy Description

As the Ombudsman, you are expected to consider:

Judicial appointments

  • Complaints from candidates for judicial office about the way in which their application was handled;
  • Matters referred by the Lord Chancellor relating to the procedures of the JAC or a committee of the Commission;

Judicial conduct and discipline

  • Complaints from a complainant about a JoH, or from a JOH who was the subject of a complaint, about how that complaint was handled; and
  • Matters referred by the Lord Chancellor or the LCJ relating to the handling of judicial conduct issues.

The Ombudsman is also empowered to:

  • Uphold a complaint (in whole or in part);
  • Make recommendations, including a recommendation for payment of compensation for loss suffered as a result of maladministration;
  • Review how a disciplinary case against a JoH has been handled. This requires the Ombudsman to find whether a complaint should be upheld and to make recommendations which may include recommendations for payment of compensation for any failure or maladministration;
  • Set aside a disciplinary decision and require that the matter be subject to further investigation and reconsideration.

It is the responsibility of the Ombudsman to: 

  • Investigate, determine or make recommendations with regard to complaints against those whom he or she is empowered to investigate;
  • Investigate and make recommendations with regard to such matters as are referred to him or her under the Act by the Lord Chancellor or LCJ;
  • Develop and maintain an open, constructive and professional relationship with all stakeholders, particularly the Lord Chancellor, the LCJ, the JAC and the JCIO;
  • Raise and sustain awareness of the Ombudsman among members of the public, the media, the judiciary and other interested groups;
  • Lead and provide strategic direction to the Ombudsman’s Office;
  • Act in accordance with his Code of Conduct (which is currently under review); and
  • Promote the efficient and effective use of people and other resources in his office and encourage high standards of propriety.

Eligibility

Schedule 13 to the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 states that people are ineligible to be appointed as the JACO if they have ever been:

  • A practising barrister in England and Wales;
  • A practising solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales;
  • A practising advocate in Scotland;
  • A practising solicitor in Scotland;
  • A practising member of the Bar of Northern Ireland;
  • A practising solicitor of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland;
  • The holder of an office listed in Schedule 14 of the Constitutional Reform Act (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/4/schedule/14), which includes the Courts Judiciary, justices of the peace and lay members of tribunals.
  • The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 also specifically requires the Lord Chancellor to consider whether other factors might make people unsuitable for appointment. This includes whether they have previously exercised functions which appear to be of a judicial nature; past service as a Commissioner, a member of staff in the House of Lords or Commons or as a Civil Servant; or any present or past party political activity or affiliations.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

Candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Integrity, fairness and independence of mind, and the ability to work independently and organise own time efficiently;
  • Ability to absorb, analyse, understand and explain complex, high profile and sensitive cases;
  • Demonstrable ability to make evidence-based sound judgements and decision-making plus the ability to assimilate and analyse and understand complex arguments;
  • Evidence of building and sustaining effective relationships through strong leadership and communication skills for example, the ability to influence and engage in a professional manner with senior figures in Government and the judiciary; and
  • Demonstrable commitment to, and an understanding of, diversity and equality.

Desirable criteria:

Knowledge or experience of the procedures for effectively dealing with complaints

Additional Information

For successful candidates, confirmation of appointment will be subject to basic clearance checks, covering confirmation of identity and right to work in the UK, a criminal record check and CTC. This will involve completion of several paper and electronic forms and can take up to twelve weeks to process following completion of the forms.

If you have any questions about any aspects of this post, you are welcome to contact Campaign Manager, Kathy Malvo by e-mail at Kathleen.malvo@justice.gov.uk.

Attachments
Reference Request form - Sept 2019
Conflict of Interest - Sept 2019
JACO - Candidate Pack - 2020 (UPDATED 30 July)
OCPA Regulated

This post is regulated by The Commissioner for Public Appointments

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