Making a complaint

Under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, the Judicial Appointments Commission is required to investigate complaints regarding the way in which we handle applications for judicial appointment.

If, after receiving decision regarding your application for judicial appointment, you are not satisfied with the way your application has been handled, you may lodge a complaint with the JAC. Applicants who are invited to a selection day, but are then unsuccessful, may wish to wait for a written explanation before deciding whether to complain.

Complaints should be directed in writing to:
Complaints Manager
Judicial Appointments Commission
Steel House, 1st Floor
11 Tothill St
LONDON SW1H 9LH

What happens next?
When we receive a written complaint, we will write to you within two working days to confirm that we have received your letter. All complaints are investigated by a dedicated team, independent of the selection exercise teams.

We aim to provide a response to your complaint within 20 working days of receipt. If this deadline cannot be met, we will inform you why this is the case and when you can expect to receive a full reply.

All responses to complaints will include the nature, background and facts of the complaint and the results of the JAC's investigation (specifically setting out the JAC's conclusions and reasons for those conclusions).

What if I am still not happy?
Complaints regarding how an application for judicial appointment has been handled must be made to the JAC in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with the response received from the JAC, you may then ask the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman, to further investigate your complaint.

Further information about the Ombudsman and their remit for investigations can be found at http://www.judicialombudsman.gov.uk/.