Job Description

JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS BOARD FOR SCOTLAND

The role of JABS is to recommend to the First Minister or other relevant Minister, individuals for appointment to judicial offices within the Board’s remit. It makes these recommendations solely on merit and also has to be satisfied that those recommended are of good character. The Board’s mission is:

• To attract applicants with the skills, knowledge and ability for particular judicial roles, whilst encouraging diversity in the range of individuals available for selection; and
• Make recommendations for appointment solely on merit, through processes that are, and are seen to be, independent, fair and transparent.

Lay member

The role of a lay member is to participate in decision-making on the suitability of individual applicants for judicial appointment and contribute to the development of the Board’s policies, strategy, and governance. You will receive training on the Board’s processes and its approach to appointment exercises.

Legal member

The role of the legal member is to participate in decision-making on the suitability of individual applicants for judicial appointment and contribute to the development of the Board’s policies, strategy, and governance. Only legal and judicial members assess candidates’ legal knowledge and competence, whereas all panel members assess judicial and personal qualities. You will receive training in the Board’s processes and its approach to appointment exercises.

MORE INFORMATION

Please contact the Chairing Member of JABS, Lindsay Montgomery at Lindsay.Montgomery@jabs.gov.scot. You can also find out more information at JABS.

REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT

Remuneration is £332.85 per day for a time commitment of up to 40 days per year. This may vary depending on the requirements of competitions. Reasonable expenses incurred will be reimbursed. The appointments are non-pensionable.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

By the end of the appointment process, the successful applicants would be expected to demonstrate the following:

Lay Member

1. Ability to make fair and balanced assessments of applications and, at interview, of candidates’ suitability for judicial appointments.

Legal Member

1. Be a solicitor (which includes solicitor advocate) practicing in Scotland, having sufficient standing, reputation and credibility with the profession.
2. Ability to make fair and balanced assessments of applications and, at interview, of candidates’ suitability for judicial appointments.

Both roles

1. Ability to understand and analyse information and to make objective balanced judgements in all aspects of the work of the Board.
2. Ability to work collaboratively, challenge constructively and work in a collegiate environment.
3. Recognise the importance of encouraging diversity in those applying for judicial appointments.

It would be desirable if all applicants could also demonstrate the ability to contribute to the governance and stewardship of an advisory NDPB, although training will be provided on the governance of advisory non-departmental public bodies such JABS.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

• Download and save this applicant information pack to refer to.
• Read the ‘person specification’ section in this pack.
• Navigate back to the job advert and click ‘apply’.
• Complete the personal information and conflict of interest questions.
• When prompted, provide evidence against the relevant box/boxes for the Priority Criteria and Essential Criteria. Please note that word limits for each response.
• You should also submit a tailored career history. Please note the word limit for this.
• Submit your online application by 17:00 on Friday, 27 November 2026.
• Please Note: you do not have the option to edit your application once you click ‘submit’. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you draft your answers in a word document and check that you are happy with them before copying and pasting your answers in the relevant sections of the online application.

Full details are contained in the Applicant Information Pack.

Late applications cannot be considered by the selection panel.