The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland
The legislation governing the operation of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland is the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 (2008 Act) as brought into force by The Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2009.
The Board is an advisory body whose remit is to make recommendations to Scottish Ministers on the appointment to the offices of Judge of the Court of Session, the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court, Temporary Judge, Sheriff Principal, Sheriffs and Part-time Sheriffs.
Its statutory responsibilities under the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 are that:
- The selection of an individual to be recommended for appointment must be solely on merit;
- The Board may select an individual only if it is satisfied that the individual is of good character; and
- In carrying out its functions, the Board must have regard to the need to encourage diversity in the range of individuals available for selection to be recommended for appointment to a judicial office. This is subject to the provisions above