Non Executive Directorships

2x Members of the Tribunal Procedure Committee – Ministry of Justice

Location: London

Date Posted: 08/09/2025

Closing Date: 08/10/2025

About the appointment

Introduction from the Chair

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Tribunal Procedure Committee (TPC).

You may already be aware about the important work of Tribunals in resolving disputes and handling appeal between citizens and the State.

The TPC plays a vital part in this, and the following pages will inform you of the purpose and role of the TPC. The TPC is an independent body, set up by Statute, with the function of making rules of procedure for the First tier Tribunal, the Upper Tribunal, and the Employment Tribunals; these are known as the Tribunal Procedure Rules. Since April 2024, the TPC has also been given responsibility for making rules of procedure for Employment Tribunals; known as the Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules. The TPC is responsible for ensuring that rules are made with a view to securing that justice is done, that the tribunal system is accessible and fair, and that proceedings are handled quickly and efficiently.

In addition to making and amending the Tribunal Procedure Rules and Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules, the TPC works closely with the judiciary and other key personnel, both in

Government Departments and those representing tribunal users, to ensure that the rules are kept under review and rule changes are made as and when they are needed. Consultation is also a fundamental part of the TPC’s its rule-making process, as those involved in the day-to-day work of particular tribunals are often best placed to assess the potential impact of rule changes.

Finally, it also needs to keep abreast of, and consider, new appeal rights and consequential technical amendments, brought about by an anticipation of and response to legislative change.

The work is important and significant: justice is delivered through the rules which govern procedure. The membership of the TPC is high powered; current members are appointed by the Lord Chief Justice, the Lord Chancellor, and the Lord President of the Court of Session. I currently chair the TPC having been nominated by the Senior President of Tribunals (SPT). The current post is one to which the Lord Chancellor holds the powers of appointment.

I do hope that this gives you a greater understanding of the TPC’s valuable work, and that you will consider applying for this important position.

If you have further questions about this post, you are welcome to speak to Vijay Parkash (020 3334 4471) the TPC Secretary. If you have questions about the appointment process, you can contact the Public Appointments Team at: [email protected].

I welcome applicants from the widest possible field. Above all we are seeking an individual with independence of mind combined with analytical skills and reforming zeal. If you believe you have the experience and qualities we are seeking, I hope you consider applying for this important position.

Mrs Justice Joanna Smith Chair of the TPC

Appointment description

Role of Committee Member of the Tribunal Procedure Committee

Members will be expected to play an active role on the Tribunal Procedure Committee and to:

Attend and take an active role in Committee meetings; members will be expected to commit to attending approximately nine committee meetings per year, lasting two to three hours, however, the frequency of meetings can vary according to the need to accommodate the priorities of the work coming in before the Committee;
Members are usually asked to participate in two standing sub-groups. Meeting frequency and associated work for these will depend on upcoming work requirements and members will be expected to read and consider papers outside meetings.
Keep abreast of paperwork and issues relating to the work of the Committee;
Chair and/or attend sub-committee meetings or meetings with stakeholders;
Contribute to any reports or documents produced on behalf of the Committee, as required;
To play an active role on the Tribunal Procedure Committee, that makes rules governing the practice and procedure in the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal and the Employment Tribunals.

Members of the Committee have collective responsibility for the operation of the body and must:

Respond appropriately to complaints, if necessary, with reference to the Ministry of Justice;
Ensure that the Committee does not exceed its powers or functions.

Communications between the Committee and the Lord Chancellor will generally be through the Chair. Nevertheless, any Committee member has the right of access to Ministers on any matter that he or she believes raises important issues relating to his or her duties as a committee member. In such cases the agreement of the rest of the Committee should normally be sought.

Organisation description

About the Tribunal Procedure Committee

The Tribunal Procedure Committee (TPC) was established under the Tribunals, Courts, and Enforcement Act 2007 (TCEA). Non judicial TPC members are appointed, by the Lord Chancellor, after consulting the Lord Chief Justice.

The TPC makes rules governing the practice and procedure in the First-tier Tribunal, the Upper Tribunal, and the Employment Tribunals. It is expected that, in the future, it will assume responsibility for making procedure rules for the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

The TCEA requires the Lord Chancellor appointed members to be persons with “experience of practice in tribunals or experience of advising persons involved in tribunal proceedings.” For this appointment, the member must have experience in practising in the Tribunals, or advising persons involved in Tribunal proceedings.

Other members of the TPC are judiciary from each of the tribunals; a tribunal member; and a person with experience in, and knowledge of, the Scottish Legal system. The Lord Chancellor appointments are therefore key to ensuring that the Tribunal Procedure Rules and Employment Tribunal Rules are by those with broad knowledge and experience of the tribunals and having regards to the needs of the judiciary and tribunal users.

Further information about the TPC found here:

About us – Tribunal Procedure Committee – GOV.UK

Board composition

? Chair

Mrs Justice Joanna Smith Appointed by the Senior President of Tribunals.

? Judicial Members

These are judges from various tribunals, appointed by senior judiciary:

Mark Loveday – First-tier Tribunal Judge
Michael Reed – Tribunal Judge
Mark Blundell – Upper Tribunal Judge
Judge Anne Scott – Lord President’s Appointee

? Legal and Lay Members

Appointed by the Lord Chancellor or judiciary:

Philip Brook Smith KC, Susan Humble, Matt Jackson, David Franey, Gillian Fleming, Angela Shields, Faridah Eden, Sean O’Brien, Gabriella Bettiga, Jeremy Rintoul, Razana Begum, Shane O’Reilly, Amir Khandoker

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website

Person specification

Essential criteria

Applicants will be able to demonstrate the following:

Experience of practice in tribunals, or advising persons involved in tribunal proceedings.
Demonstrable ability to analyse and debate complex issues.
Demonstrable ability to contribute to, and influence, Committee meetings.
Demonstrable ability to manage time.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to engage with stakeholders.
An understanding of diversity issues.

Apply here

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Other Positions Available:

MAPPA Lay Adviser West Yorkshire

Location: West Yorkshire

Date Posted: 17/09/2025

Closing Date: 17/09/2025