# Part 1 – Appendix 1B (Part 1) GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

## Introduction

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of one of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace. Advisory Committees carry out important work in the justice system of England and Wales, particularly in relation to the recruitment and conduct of the magistracy. These guidance notes apply to prospective members of Advisory Committees. Please read them carefully before submitting your application.

If you have any questions, contact the relevant Advisory Committee.

## Equality and Diversity Statement

Advisory Committee members will be selected and appointed solely on merit.

Applications are welcome from any person who meets the eligibility criteria for appointment and who believes they have the necessary qualities. Applications are particularly welcome from members of groups currently under-represented amongst Advisory Committee memberships. This includes members of Black and Minority Ethnic communities, people under the age of 50, people from non-managerial or professional occupations, and people with a disability who (either assisted or unassisted) can carry out the full range of a member’s duties.

## Status and Functions of Advisory Committees

Advisory Committees are non-departmental public bodies which carry out functions on behalf of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice. The Committees are classified as public authorities under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. To ensure a mix of judicial and non-judicial experience, Advisory Committees are composed of approximately two-thirds magistrates and one-third non-magistrate members. There are twenty-three Advisory Committees responsible for the recruitment of magistrates; and seven Advisory Committees with responsibility for the conduct of magistrates.

The functions of Recruitment Advisory Committees are to:

- • and recommend to the Senior Presiding Judge candidates for appointment to the magistracy; • and recommend to the Senior Presiding Judge candidates for appointment to the magistracy;
- • and recommend to the Lord Chancellor, candidates for membership of the Advisory Committee; • and recommend to the Lord Chancellor, candidates for membership of the Advisory Committee;
- • requests for review of decisions relating to recommendations for appointment; • requests for review of decisions relating to recommendations for appointment;
- • requests for re-instatement to the magistracy (in accordance with Part 5); • requests for re-instatement to the magistracy (in accordance with Part 5);
- • applications to the magistracy and Advisory Committee membership from underrepresented • applications to the magistracy and Advisory Committee membership from underrepresented groups; and
- • and provide observations on the data gathered by the Committee Secretary as part of judicial • and provide observations on the data gathered by the Committee Secretary as part of judicial resource exercises.

The functions of Conduct Advisory Committees are to:

- • that magistrates fulfil their obligations to sit and complete required training, and maintain the • that magistrates fulfil their obligations to sit and complete required training, and maintain the

1