The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) identifies candidates for judicial roles in England and Wales. We also help fill positions for several specialist tribunals with UK-wide powers.
Our statutory duties are to:
- select candidates solely on merit
- select only people of ‘good character’
- have regard to the need to encourage diversity in the range of persons available for judicial selection
We also work hard to ensure our selection process is consistent, fair and free from bias.
Find out more about what we do
Read our latest business strategy on our website. You can also read our latest annual report (published July 2025).
Our structure and people
The JAC is an independent organisation that was founded in 2006. We are currently made up of 15 commissioners, supported by a senior leadership team, selection panel members and around 100 staff.
Publications
Corporate publications
We report on our performance in our annual reports. We also publish other documents, including strategic business plans, statistical data and 6-monthly diversity updates.
Feedback and evaluation reports
We publish feedback and evaluation reports for larger selection exercises we have run. They cover different areas of the selection process, with information about how various elements of the exercise went and how candidates performed.
View feedback and evaluation reports
Recent judgments
In 2025, the JAC received the Court of Appeal’s decision in R(Thomas) v Judicial Appointments Commission regarding the JAC’s approach to statutory consultation.
In 2024, the JAC received the final judgment in the Ghosh vs Judicial Appointments Commission race discrimination case.
In 2022, the JAC received the Employment Tribunal’s decision for the Rackham vs JAC case.