Law Weblog

Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission appointed

Thursday 6 October 2005 at 9:22 pm | In News | Post Comment

Baroness Usha Prashar will be the first Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission, which will come into being in April 2006.

Baroness Usha Prashar will chair the independent body that will select judges through an open and transparent method, ensuring judges reflect the society they serve. The Commission will be responsible for judicial appointments in courts and tribunals which are currently the Lord Chancellor’s responsibility.

Baroness Usha Prashar is appointed by HM The Queen following her selection by an independent panel chaired by Sir Nigel Wicks.

The Judicial Appointments Commission will consist of 14 commissioners including five lay-people, five judges, one barrister, one solicitor, one tribunal member and one magistrate. Three of the Commissioners will be selected by the Judges’ Council under the terms of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. The other 11 appointments will be appointed through an open competition.