February 1, 2010: JCA Commissioners Reappointed
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has announced Jack Straw today announced the reappointment of five Commissioners to the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), the independent commission that selects candidates for judicial office in courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and for some tribunals whose jurisdiction extends to Scotland or Northern Ireland.
The JAC, which comprises a Chair, Baroness Prashar, and 14 Commissioners, aims to selects candidates for judicial office on merit, through fair and open competition, from the widest range of eligible candidates. The members of the Commission are supposed to be drawn from a wide background and are drawn from the lay public, the legal professions, tribunals, the magistracy and the judiciary, to ensure that it has a breadth of knowledge, expertise and independence.
The five reappointments are for one year from 1 February 2010. They are:
- Dame Hazel Genn DBE QC (Hon) (60) has been a Commissioner since February 2006 and is a Dean of the Faculty of Laws at University College London. She is a former member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.
- Sir Geoffrey Inkin OBE (75) has been a Commissioner since February 2006. He is a former member of Gwent County Council and Gwent Police Authority and commanded The Royal Welsh Fusiliers from 1972 to 1974.
- Her Honour Judge Frances Kirkham (62) has been a Commissioner since February 2006. She became a senior circuit judge in October 2000 and is the designated Technology and Construction Court Judge in Birmingham.
- Edward Nally (54) has been a Commissioner since February 2006. He is the senior partner in Fieldings Porter Solicitors of Bolton and was President of the Law Society of England and Wales between 2004 and 2005. He is a solicitor member of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, and a Governor of the College of Law.
- Sara Nathan OBE (53) has been a Commissioner since February 2006 and is a journalist. She has held several public appointments and is currently Chair of the Animal Procedures Committee. Sara is also on the board of the Solicitor's Regulation Authority and an editorial adviser to the BBC Trust. She served on the Ofcom board and is a former Editor of Channel 4 News.
The JAC has a senior management team comprising the Chief Executive and four Directors and is supported by around 100 other staff. Commissioners receive remuneration of £12,180 per annum in respect of three days service per month. Her Honour Judge Frances Kirkham receives no remuneration as she is a full time judicial office holder.