THE OFFICE OF CHAIR OF THE SCOTTISH LAND COURT

The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland invites applications from suitably qualified individuals who wish to be considered for appointment to the office of Chair of the Scottish Land Court.

The Court presently comprises a legally qualified Chair with the rank and tenure of a Court of Session judge, a legally qualified part-time Deputy Chair and two part-time practical agricultural members. This vacancy arises on the current Chair’s retirement in December 2022.

Historically it has been customary that the successful applicant would also be appointed as President of the Lands Tribunal for Scotland, and The Judicial Office for Scotland have confirmed this is the Lord President’s intention. Therefore applicants should understand that if successful they would most likely be expected to fulfil both roles and to manage the upcoming unification of the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland. The Guidance Note for Applicants and Role Profile provides further information.

Selection is made solely on merit. The Board encourages and welcomes applications from the widest possible range of eligible individuals. The Board would particularly welcome applications from protected groups covered by the Equality Act 2010 such as; women, people with a disability or those from an ethnic minority background.

Whilst applicants would benefit from having a background or experience in land law applications are welcomed from first rate lawyers whatever their area of practice or expertise.

Applicants must have been legally qualified for at least 10 years.  A person who is legally qualified is either an Advocate, a Sheriff, a Sheriff Principal or a Solicitor with rights of audience in the Court of Session.  On appointment the successful applicant will have the same rank and tenure of office as if they had been appointed a Senator of the College of Justice.

If you experience difficulties with the online application please email the Business Management Unit at  mailbox@jabs.gov.scot or call 0131 528 5101.

Applications should be submitted no later than noon on Monday 26 September 2022.  

THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF PRINCIPAL

The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS) invites applications from suitably qualified individuals who wish to be considered for appointment to the office of Sheriff Principal in Tayside, Central and Fife, North Strathclyde and South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to justice in Scotland. For further information please see the Guidance Note and Role Profile 

The current appointment round is seeking to fill three vacancies between December 2022 and July 2023.

Salary: £159,163 per annum

JABS encourages diversity and particularly welcomes applications from groups currently under-represented in the judiciary.  The principles of fair and open competition will apply and recommendation for appointment will be made solely on merit.

Applications must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 26 September 2022

To apply for our current vacancies, access your online account or to sign up to job notifications, please click here.

Appointment of Members to the Parole Board for Scotland (PBS)

The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS) invites applications from suitably qualified individuals who wish to be consider for a Legal or General Member role on Parole Board Scotland (PBS).

Information about the Parole Board for Scotland (PBS)

The Parole Board for Scotland (PBS) is a Tribunal Non-departmental Public Body whose Members are appointed by the Scottish Ministers.

PBS has 44 Legal and General Tribunal Members who are responsible for considering public safety and determining liberty for prisoners who have served a minimum of 4 years in prison as well as those serving life sentences.  It has the power to recommend release and impose any additional licences/conditions to said prisoners. PBS Members also consider the need to recall to custody offenders whose risk can no longer be safely managed in the community

JABS is seeking to nominate 6 General Members and 6 Legal Members to Scottish Ministers.

Legal Members will either (i) be a solicitor or advocate of not less than 10 years standing, or (ii) hold or have held judicial office. 

 Both roles are remunerated and will require a commitment of 8-10 days per month.

• These roles come with considerable responsibility and will require applicants who are interested in and understand the work of PBS and its role in the Scottish Justice system.
• We are looking for people who reflect society and provide relevant experience or professional experience such as, but not exclusive to, Criminal Justice Social Work, Psychiatry, Psychology, the Police Service or Forensic Mental Health services as well as those from a legal or judicial background.
• Successful applicants will work in small panels of 2 or 3 tribunal members to arrive at decisions for Tribunal, Casework and Oral meetings/hearings.

About the role

As a General or Legal member, your duties will be judicial in nature, and will include:

• communicating effectively with victims, prisoners, relevant professionals, and witnesses who may appear at Tribunals or Oral Hearings;
• deciding on the suitability for release on licence of long-term prisoners (those sentenced to four years or more) to serve a portion of their sentence on licence in the community;
• considering whether to direct the release on licence of life sentence prisoners once they have served the punishment part of their sentence;
• interviewing and obtaining the views of victims of crime where a life sentence has been imposed;
• considering the need to recall to custody offenders who have breached their licence conditions and the case for directing re-release;
• and chairing Tribunals/Oral Hearings (Legal Members only) or Casework meetings, and producing written decisions.

Members generally aren’t involved in management or corporate governance.  Members may also be involved in quality assessments, staff training and training for agencies that provide information and evidence for PBS.

General Role Profile and Legal Role Profile 

For more information please see the Guidance Note

All appointees (General and Legal) should be able to demonstrate:

• Interest, understanding and enthusiasm for the role, aims, and work of the Parole Board Scotland and ability to contribute to this.
• Critical analysis and making balanced, reasoned, and sound decisions.
• Ability to test and challenge evidence and opinions.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Remuneration and service

*General Members receive a daily fee of £221*.  Legal Members receive a daily fee of £341* unless acting in the capacity of a General Member when they will receive the lower daily fee of £221.00*.   Initial appointments are up to 5 years.

Members are entitled to be reimbursed by the PBS at Scottish Government rates for reasonable travel, subsistence and caring expenses incurred in relation to this Tribunal’s work.

*Remuneration is based on 2021-22 rates as 2022-23 rates have not yet been fixed.

Location

Meetings and hearings are generally held on-line. There may be occasional travel in Scotland for face to face hearings.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Closing date for applications is Friday 23 September 2022.

To apply for our current vacancies, access your online account or to sign up to job notifications, please click here.