Expressions of interest: Administrative Justice Council Membership
The Administrative Justice Council (“the Council”) welcomes expressions of interest for a seat on the Council. The Council is a non-statutory oversight body for the administrative justice system throughout the UK, advising government, including the devolved governments, and the judiciary on the development of that system. It aims to promote efficiency, accessibility and fairness in administrative justice, bringing together senior stakeholders from across the access to justice landscape.
Chaired by Sir Keith Lindblom, the Senior President of Tribunals, the Council is undergoing a membership review for the new term. The Secretariat is seeking expressions of interest from stakeholders with expertise in administrative justice who wish to be a member of the Council.
The Council has the following aims:
- to keep the operation of the administrative justice system under review;
- to consider how to make the administrative justice system more accessible, fair and efficient;
- to advise the Lord Chancellor, other relevant ministers and the judiciary on the development of the administrative justice system;
- to share learning and areas of good practice across the UK;
- to provide a forum for the exchange of information between Government, the judiciary, and those working with users of the administrative justice system;
- to identify areas of the administrative justice system that would benefit from research; and
- to make proposals for reform
The Council’s purpose is to help make the administrative justice system increasingly accessible, fair and effective by:
- playing a pivotal role in the development and sharing of good practice;
- promoting understanding, learning and continuous improvement; and
- ensuring that the needs of users are central
Membership of the Council includes members of the judiciary, civil servants concerned with administrative justice, public service ombudsman and other public sector complaint-handling bodies, legal professional bodies, non-governmental organisations or groups representing ‘users’ of administrative justice, academics and other experts in the field of administrative justice, including those from, and working with, devolved administrations.
Role Description
Members of the Council will:
- contribute to the work of the Council by participating in bi-annual meetings
- share knowledge and expertise of issues affecting the administrative justice system, and share examples of best practice;
- consider and contribute to the Council’s responses to proposals for reform and in consultations relevant to administrative justice;
- participate in working parties (as appropriate to your expertise); and
- act as an ambassador for the Council
In return, we offer the opportunity to bring changes to the administrative justice system in a way which will improve the experience of those whose voices are unheard.
The Council is seeking Expressions of Interest in the following roles:
- one member of the judiciary;
- one legal representative;
- one third sector organisation; and
- two justice stakeholders with expertise in a relevant administrative justice area e.g. data, AI, digital technology, service design (applicants to specify their area of expertise in their EOI)
Essential criteria
- an understanding of, or experience of working within, the administrative justice system;
- excellent communication skills and the ability to represent a sector, organisation or thematic issue within administrative justice; and
- experience of sitting on a high-level Board or Committee
The time commitment for the role will be approximately four to six days a year to attend and prepare for bi-annual meetings and to volunteer on specific tasks such as leading on consultation responses. Additional time will be required for participating in optional workshops, roundtables or thematic working groups. This role is not renumerated.
To apply, please email ajc@judiciary.uk using the word ‘Recruitment’ in the subject heading. Expressions of interest should be no longer than one A4 page stating the role applied for, your interest in and relevant experience for the position, giving details of how you meet the above criteria, along with a CV by 6 September 2024. If you would like more information about the role or the Council, please contact Heidi Bancroft, Secretary to the Council, at heidi.bancroft@judiciary.uk.